Dodge City times., 1889-11-28

ment; but then Oracle was young. But
especially there was the Deacon's brother
Joseph with his aristocratic wife, from
the city, who seemed to think folks in
the country didn't have anything fit to
eat. as Mrs. Durland often Indignantly
expressed it, since she had never conde-
Rcended to call since her marriage three
years before. Besides, grandpa and the
Deacon and the boys all possessed appe-
tites that were by no means to be over
looked.
Here, Mary, I've got something thatll
make ye open yer eyes," exclaimed the
Deacon as he tramped noisily in, bearing
IN enormous brown-paper parcel.
There, now, look at that Isn't he a
bea :? Finest turkey there's been in
Rockdale market for three years. Weighs
twenty-nine pounds and four ounces.
Most had to fight to get him, though
Butcher said he'd promised to save the
biggest turkey he could find for Judge
Smalley. Guess We can get away with
Is big . turkey, though, as Judge Smalley
dare tackle; eh, Mary?" And the Deacon
chuckled at his own facetiousness.
Well, for lands sakesl' gasped Mrs
Durland, as soon as she could get a
you tell me what you were up to?"
why, II wanted to surprise YOU. "
stammered the Deacon, completely taken
aback by this unexpected reception of his
prize.
And I was planning a surprise for
you. laughed Mrs. Durland, as she flung
upen the pantry door. Just look in
there. There's the twin brother of your
turkey, that contracted with little Jimmy
Woods for three months ago, because he
was such q monster. / didn't think an.
other turkey could grow SO big and fat. ("
We'll, said the Deacon, somewhat
crestfallen, you can cook 'em both. I
expect the folks will be pretty hungry to-
morrow.
So saying, he called to Johnny, and the
two went of to the barn.
Baking and boiling, sweeping and
busting. were kept up with unabated
vigor in the Durland mansion until night
fall. Every chair and picture-frame in
the parlor fairly glistened from the fire.
qucnt rubbings they had received, while
the pantry was crammed SO full of good
things that it seemed upon the point of
bursting its walls.
Mrs. Durland had finally paused in the
middle of the kitchen floor, and after
protrscted but futile effort to think of
something more to do, had dismissed
Oracle and Sarah Jane, and then dragged
herself on to bed.
Half an hour later grandpa, attracted
by the unusual quiet, cautiously opened
the kitchen door, peered around and then
stepped inside. Lighting q candle he
walked over to the pantry and took long
survey of its contents. An expression Of
strong disapproval upon his wrinkled face
deepened into downright disgust as his
eye fell upon the two giant turkeys as
they lay side BY side upon shelf all
ready for the oven.
Such extravagance never saw in all
my born days. he snorted at length Il
swow here's enough truck to feed the
hull town for Q week and only dozen
people to eat it Mary jest makes . tar
nal fool Of herself With her COOKBOOK
coolin' One o them turkeys would
been great plenty for to-morrer and the
half o them pies II jest be throvsd
svsy.
-iknov What IN do. he resumed, after
: pause. I'm jsst take one Of them tur-
keyB and : han and few pics down to
CiesGnep Holcomb's- Clarencs's est .
- lh11xGAd they've Al besa siek nsar-
II ~ y g11DDnoRe. G1oe>eog - 81