Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1890-07-12
BE HELD IT UP WITH PRIDE AND JOY.

Before going to bed Cesar Alexander went
into his small yard, lifted stick or two Of
wood from the turkeys barrel and took
long and fond look at his prize. Suddenly a
hand was laid on his shoulder, and he turned
with quakng knees expecting to face the
village constable; but dark as it was he could
nee that the hand belonged to a gentleman Of
his own color, though one with whom he was
entirely unacquainted-"a kind OF old fash
toned lookin' nigger, he said when telling the
story afterward Reassured to find that il
want the law he had to confront, he put
considerable braVado into his voice as be saidI
"Who are We, anyhow; and what dye want
in gemman's yard at night It's forenenSt
the law to creep aroun' hClest folks houses
ON the sly that way"
@Cesarl Casarlo said the other without
appearing in the least intimidated; II am one
of yer ancestors, from 'wsy back, and can't
come to yer in daytime because I've been dead
long time"
Here Caesars teeth Chartered and his legS
gave way under him.
"Brace up!" said the ancestor, Slapping him
on the shoulder. "Brace up! I'm here for
yer good, not for yer harm l want Ye to
kerry that turkey back Ye've done some
thing TO disgrace the name Of Shakewell, and
] won't stand it. The constable viii be down
onto ye tomorrow mornin' fore O'Clock if ye
don't, an thereu be n neighborhood scandal
about this bird thatn make the whole race O
Shakewells shake in their gravesL Cesar
for the sake of your proud and honorable ain
ceStorS take that bird back, and tomorrow
take yer gun and 60 to tho woods and git one
o. the turkeys Nv yer fathers-Rn' its a bird
that no niger ought to turn up his nose at,
eithor."
Here the "aincestor" shifted delghtedly ct
~,
CRY apparently, and then went on:
ats bird dat no man owns; it's de true
Vahginiah turkey. rTisn't feathered bird;
'tiSn't fowl OF all 1t wears fur, an has
fifty teeth, bristly tongue, long preheDSi-
Bile tail-you see, Cesar, yer Ancestor
had laruin'-and plantigrade feet, Caesar, it
has plantigrads feet.
4UghP said Cesar, too dazed to utter az
tntelhgible word.
The ssincestorT continued: ats feet has
az many toes on each foot as q man, and
long, sharp claws on every toe cept its inside
one. 1t uses dat as q thumb. It is marsupial
turkey, Cesar" Here the ancestor smiled at
the towering proportions Of bis own learning,
but presently talked on.
ALIVE it has an odor We can't mistake, an
roasted he smells better nor flower garden
Hes bird worth givin' thanks over. Now,
take dat ole, droopin', white folks turkey
back to his yowner, and 90 out ter-morrah and
git do 'possum, de 'riginal turkey OBJ old YAH
Einiah, de turkey Of yer fatherss-and lol the
ancestor vanished.
Perspiring at every pore Cesar Alexander
Ehouldered the turkey and started toward
Col Fairgrove's Just az he was about to
enter the yard, through the break in the
fence previously made by himself, he felt
another band laid on his shoulder with con-
siderable emphasis Fearing that another
and still more terrible ancestor was about to
have speech with him, he sank to the earth,
without daring to look around Then the
hand grabbed him more firmly and gave him
vigorous shake. BE looked up appealingly
and confronted the constable WIFI 4 groan
he tainted dead away.
what We groanin' and carving on Ike an
animal fur!" was the next tling he heard.
The question was propounded in his wifsS
most ungentle voice
he opened his eyes slowly and in abiect
fear, and found himself sitting by his own
6reside, the children in bed and Mrs. Shake
well standing by him with her hand on his
shoulder. He never was so happy in his life
Col Fairgrove's turkey was sale where it be-
lonGed; he had never stolen it, and he hadn't
net any dead and gone ancestor at all, only
N dreams Furthermore, be inwardly re-
solved that he never would, II ancestors visits
only followed theftS
The next day when he set Of with his gun
ne told Mrs Shakewen that he would bring
home "VabSiniGh" turkey. And he did.
11e neto AZ UP VIII ~ Ne anu JOY On ms IL
turn, and was rewarded by q smile from that
exscting lady.
The 'possum was eaten with gravy end
grace, and Mr. ShakeEell's standing in the
Community remained unimpeired As hs
bent over bis own fragrant thanksgiving
board be had more than usual cause for graft
t1de. ~VRhginiah turkeys was good enough
Ger my fathers, and good 'nongh fer me, Be
often says; but though be sometimes tells OF
he encounter with his ancestor, be never
tells OF the cause Of that worthy individuals
glSiB TO him Max ELTON.