The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1889-11-27

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 | should
think that he ought to know that the
people are not in sympathy with his sill
ly romanticism. don't like to speak
thus of my father, but | can't help it.
Why, Thanksgiving Day is quite as pop
ular here now as it is in the East Near
ly all our neighbors observe it."
What has caused you to change so,
lilly? Was it your visit TO the East ?
Hitherto you have been Indifferent with
regard to the day"
Ny Eastern trip, of course, has had
something to do vi h It, but how much
and in what manner shall not say. I've
got my eye on that big gobbler out there,
and unless his death warrant be signed
by the master of this household, shall
resort TO mob violence"
Well, these is no use in speaking to
your father about it"
"rm going to speak to him, at any
rate"
He will be angry"
81 can't help it; but can We not con-
vince him Of his foolishness ?"
No, fear not"
Is there not some way by which we
may prove to him that be is insane ?"
No; he is stubborn"
Well, but are We to be slaves to his
stubborness l love my father, under
stand, but he should not expect me to
embrace 50 silly prejudice. l think that
you have been altogether too weak. You
/ ought to have cured him of his foolish
ness long ago"
Zilda said nothing more with regard to
the subject. Two days before Thanks
giving, while Zilda and her mother we're
sitting in the big room,' as the negroes
termed it, the Major entered. He had
been hunting, and placing his gun in
corner, he took up one lof Seott's novels
and was soon following the nod
ding plumes of the Black knight" Zil-
da took up the gun and went TO the win
dow. She was acquainted with the use
of firearms She placed the gun upon
the window-sill, and sat looking out into
the yard,
"Don't cock that gun" said the Major.
1t might go Off"
Again he was following the nodding
plumes ofthe Black Knight He had
begun to smack his lips, as though he
were eating venison pasty with Frisr
Tuck, when BD.g" 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 ="
told you not to cock that gum" said he.
=" Now look what you have done-killed
the finest turkey in the State. could
have gotten FIVE dollars for him, at any
time"
Major, you know that accidents have
habit of happening Mrs. Carter an
swered. "Well, we'll have so eat him. y
The next day at dinner the Major said :
Thought you were going to eat that
turkey?7
"We are" Zilda answered but tur-
keys are not good, you know, until they
have been dressed day or two"
Wen, then, when may We expect the
feast?''
"Let me see, mother, do you think that
tomorrow will be time enough ?"
Il think So"
"Well, we viii have him tomorrow.
The next morning the Major went to
the village, short distance away, and
when he returned he was snorting
mad"
This is fine trick you have played
me" he exclaimed.
"Why, what is the matter?" ZiIda ask
ed. with pretended innocence.
You know what the matter is You
and your mother, too, know well enough.
You are trying to trap me into this
Thanksgiving foolishness, that's what
you are trying to do, but it won't work, |
can tell you that"
} But, Major said his wife, "the white
gobbler is done now"
Makes no difference I will not eat a
bite Of it, won't come to the table.
won't have anything to do with it. Won't
give it countenance I'll take piece ol
bread and piece of hog meat and go of
down into the woods If you and Zilds
want to make Roundheads of yourselves
all right"
He sat down with thump, and began
TO humble over "Ivanhoe" The ladies
paying no attention to him, proceeded
with their preparations for dinner. A:
the weather was fine, the table was sci
on the long gallery. When everything
was ready-when the great turkey had
been placed on the table-the Major, put
ting his book aside, stretched himself
yawningly, and remarked
Sarah, have you got any bacon?"
No, didn I cook any"
You've got some beef, haven't you 2
No, / have not
"well, hang it, What sort of meai
| have you2"
Turkey
But l told you l wouldn't eat any o.
it."
Well, you needn't"
But what am going to take dowr
: into the woods with me?"
! There's some corn bread and cold
biscuit in the boiler
Do you reckon l want to eat bread
; and nothing else r.
There's some dried venison in the
: smoke-honses
] hate dried yenison."
Well, believe there is a small piecs
: Of sausage hanging up in the loft.s
: despise sausage. Cut me off slics
or two of that turkey and let me take i
: along"