Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-12-24

above that / seen him peddlin' Wild Turkeys at
like him ort to be ashamed OF gettin' money that
| way-twouid make me feel meaner than stealfn'
an said he wanted some money to give his little
nigs Christmas.
aGood for niger Brutusr- exclaimed Mrs Cum
pin, with an energy that made her husband jerk
| as II suddenly attacked by ague Then she quickly
resumed her customary thin, listless voice. and
| said:
The meal was eaten in silence-anot unusual cir
tie to talk about But the silence was broken into
Invisible fragments when MIN Cumplin having
satisfied as, good appetite sharpened by long walk
served as chair, seized his rifle and powder horn
| and opened the door,
Mrs. Cumplin aYou never we Vent huin t before
| when you'd walked from the Forks that same
daddy, where are you goin'." asked Piney.
'I'm going," replied Nfmrod, with averted eyes
as II he had something to be ashamed OF, am go
| It's, but I'm goin to git it-dead sure" Then he
walked brfskly toward the woods which being near
enough to shade the cabin, soon hid him from
81 never saw yer father took that way before, y
| said Mrs Cumphn, shading and straining her fee
at makes him look good lookin, though, said
Piney; .And," she continued, 81 hope he'll find
| out what Is IL, and get it,"
ats just ez the Old woman sea, muttered the
nunter TO nlmself as he STROBE along. "Chrismas
is only for meR and niggers-along here on Cat
out what to do! S'pose might ask n7ggef Brutus
Well, don't knows I'd be lettin' myself down do
lh mat hes pIaeH to be sure but he's as good
nj. The e. last exclamation a was due to a sudden
gmpse o. wild turkey MIN selected good rest
to his game and viewed 1t with look of utter dis
| dain and disgust There was nothing the matter
with the turkey; it was large and plump; MIN was
not above shooting turkeys, for he shot whenever
MS wire needed wing for a fan, and sometimes
Wnen she complained OF venfson as steady diet.
cot TN tn init
aloud:
, 1--we darned good mind to back out t." said he.
anybody, an that never sold nothtn' but venison
an, pear an skins OF yarmints startin out to kin
Md S qs like Niger
and started back homeward. Soon he stopped,
| however, went back picked up the turkey, and
i said I'd do it; now Eve got to do it,
Ihere was notable increase Of mortality among
turkeys that afternoon, and MIN learned to bis
much as a deer. But when he had all he could
comfortably carry and started for the little village
much weight which did not consist of turkeys
HIS heart was as heavy as lead. What would
either e OF the storekeepers think Of him II they saw
would any other hunter think, should he See MIN
loaded with feathered game? AS he wondered he
the direction Of Che village. StraightWay Nm Mn.
| like conscience stricken murderer dashed into
the woods and through bog, making tedious
|
| the road"
"Reckon, said he. when at last he felt secure
ana cropped his load SO that he might rest for
moment, III go fuSt to the big house whar the
| wheat buyer lives. Nobody that knows me by
sight Il Is likely to be up that way-'taint the
ROAD 10 anywhere. II they buy one or two, l can
| skeered."
| In few moments he reached the grounds of the
big house. He cautiously skirted them. peered
down the owners private road to assure himself
that nobody was coming, and then approached the
r1frsrt
Greek, and In many other parts of the new country
he leaned against the fence instead OF entering the
the residents. This DONE he turned his hack to
the house, and informed himself that no frst-cass
| before.
Hiss alutation was not promptly returned, so he
yelled once more, and made up his mind to run
unless there was prompt response In a mo-
ment he heard door open: then he felt more in.
clined to run than ever. Footsteps approached: he
felt his face being oerspread with every marx of
voice saying:
..Do you care to sell any Of those turkeys9"
II m M ugh said Nim partly turning but taking
care 10 look only at the game and not at the buyer
'.What do you want for theme"
sO on said MIN, trying to brace up
don't know bout the prices Of turkeys-I never
sold one in my life; wouldn't sell these eff they
wzns 700 heavy to- tote all OF em home. I'll give
you're very Kind" said the lady: sbut I'm
afraid one wouldn't be enough for me. Wild tur-
sits enough for 'em too" said MINI regaining
the grand air OF an habitual hunter OF large game
.Sech varmints amt with quarter amt wuth
.I'm quite willing to pay dollar each" said the
iady Mltn laugh; land II you've shot them to-
different friends In the east as Christmas gifts; SO
they must be fresh,
'Chr1s'mas gifts!" exclaimed MIN. sYou mean
to say, maam, that wild turkey is good enough
for a Christmas gift?"
%, II thought so when lived in the east" was the
reply. "If you'll kindly bring them up to the
house for me, will ger you the money"
Mn followed the purchaser, and after consider
piazza. There were ten OF themEs1O aMore
money" thought MIN to himself, ethan ever
armed In single day with my gun. Well, II ort
to be more, TO pay for Sech lOw-dOWn work as ned
ding Turkeys. But who says peddied any turkeys?
didn't do nothin' OF the sort. 1 was just leanin'
to sell any them Yes, sir; that's s how Nesft It
was" 0 "
The purchaser emerged in moment, followed
OF fifteen, plainly but tastefuly dressed. The lady
counted the turkeys and handed the seller the
money: MIN looked at the girl, then at the lady,
.sYou our darter, ma'am7r
The mother nodded assent.
poser" e' "NP
Again the lady inclined her head
would you mind tel1n me some Of 'em?n asked
MIN: ''Pve got gal just her SIZE and Pm dead
tired thinkin' Of what to git her,
Amy" said the lady, with smile and a wink
dare listen" Then she said to MIN:
I Her l father Is going to give her piano. and"
"Pu get one for P1ney," said MIN. (which store
keeps 'em?'
''Fm afraid you won't find one at any OF our
stores" the mother replied, "but I am going To
give her some books and perfumery, and gloves
and candy-al sorts OF things that young girls
like, you know. It's so hard to think OF things
that one hasn't given before on birthdays or at
Christmas. Don't you find it so?"
"Well, fur ez Piney goes
MIN was about to admit that he had mt vnt no
gun to give presents, when the lady interrupted
him.
"Piney?" said she. "What a pretty rustic
name. But where did you get it? didn't know
there were any pine trees in this region {"
"Her mother named her after the Dineys that
once growed In her dads back yard-great. bfg.
round, red flowers, just like Pney's face when size
was little. They was the pootiest thing the Old
woman could think up when she wanted to name
the baby"
The lady looked puzzled; then she remembered
hatthe plney was the common country name for
the peOny. But she had something else to think Of
Christmas was only one day on and here was q
puzzled parent who wanted counsel-an article in
which She aboun1ed. She looked at MIN esfi
mated his house and family by his own appearance.
and said:
AT were you would get her a story book. stuff
for new dresS-cheap, but pretty, q nice little
bracelet or ring, and some Christmas cards to nail
ON the walls or her room; they brighten girIs
room up So"
MIN looked blank.
"If didn't feel could afford so much ~ said the
lady hastily, "Td get only part OF themh
"MOney's no object" said MIN, bravely: ssbut
don't know Sech things apart very well wish
one OF the stores was right here. I'd ash, Won to