Nevada County picayune., 1889-11-27

down the road. Maybe we can hire him. We can assure him that the old woman is not very strong, as she has suffered with rheumatism for a number of years. What, you don't want to burn her? Then your first lesson hasn't wholly converted you. Iou' q better take another"
 The Major hastened out into the garden, slamming the gate after him ; and Mrs. Carter, turning to Ilda, remarked: 1t is said that every per son is insane on some subjects. Your father is surely insane on his hobby. Ordinarily he Is, as you well know the gentlest of men; and not only that, he is, aside from his hobby, a liberal l-mnded man.
 II don't know, and moreover don't [ care anything about the cavaliers, !" Zilda answered. II am a thorough American and like everything that is American. l have never enjoyed myself more than 1 did at that Thanksgiving dinner, and next Thanksgiving Day, which will be only two weeks from now, l am going to have a Thanksgiving dinner here at home"
 Your father will not hear to 1t, my child"
 But he must hear to it. If he is avowed an Englshman, why does he vote in this country: Why did he run for the legislature year before last! He ought to know that his foolishness beat him at the polls; and by this time l should think that he ought to know that the people are not in sympathy with his silly romanti- cism. l don't like to speak thus of my father. but l can't help it. Why, Thanksgiving Day is quite as popu- lar here now as it is in the East. Near ly all of our neighbors observe it. :"
 "What has caused you to change so, Zilly? Was it your visit to the East? Hitherto you have been indif- fcrent with regard to the day.
 My Eastern trip, of course, has had something to do with it, but how much and in what manner 1 shall not say. I've got my eye on that big gobbler out there, and unless his death warrant be signed by the mas ter of thls household, l shall resort to mob violence"
 "Well, there IS no use in speaking to your father about it. y
 'l am going to speak to him.
 "He will be angry.
 II can't help It. but can we not convince him of his foolishness?"
 No, fear not"
 Is not there some way by which we may prove to him he is insane?"
 No; he is stubborn.
 w ell, but are we to be slaves to his stubbornness? l love my father, understand, but he should not ex. pect me to embrace so silly preju- dice. think that you have been alto gether ooweak You ought to have cured him of his foolishness long ago. !"
 Zilda said nothing more with re- gard to the subject. Two days be- fore Thanksgiving, while Zilda and her mother were sitting in the "big room," as the negroes termed it, the Major entered. He had been hunt ing, and placing h,s gun n a corner, he took up one of Scott's novels, and was soon following the nodding plumes of the "Black Knight" Zilda too up the gun and went to the win dow. She was acquainted with the use of firearms.
 "Don't cock that gum said the Major, "it might go off. "
 Again he was following the nod ding plumes of the "Black Knight. " He had begun to smack his lips, as though he were eating venison pastry with Frar Lnck, when Bang! went the gun. Mrs. Carter sprang to her feet and exclaimed:
 "Gracious alive, child, you have killed the white gobbler!"
 The Major threw down the book. "I told you not to cock that gun, '" said he. "Now look what you have done-killed the finest turkey in the State. l could have gotton five dol lars for him any time.
 Major, you know that habits have habit of happening" Mrs. Carter answered. 'We'll have to eat him. y
 The next day at dinner the Major