The Newtown bee., 1891-12-18
HOW THE THANKSGIVING TUR-
KEYS FILLED THE CHRISTMAS
STOCKINGS.

The sudden CLEAN of the locomotive
headlight, as the midnight train passet
swiftly by, dimmed for moment tn,
weaker ray from the window of littl'
cottage by Falmouth Grade.
At the same time the mighty rush ant
roar and jar, from the dancing wheels
shook the low bed in the loft above
where two rugged lads were sleeping
while it ratified again the meager ARA
of china upon the shelves within the
Widow Lees small, yet neatly kept cup
board below.
Away into the night and the darkness
the blazing eye of the train streamed on
and again the lesser light from the win.
dow shOne timidly forth. 1t was such d
little cottage and it stood so near the
rails that it seemed in imminent danger
of following amid the clouds of dust,
sticks, stones and leaves which, caught
up by the rushing train, followed merri-
ly in mimic whirlwind behind. Small
though it was, it had been the happy
home of Thomas Lee, section foreman,
of the -- railroad; and. when un-
timely death removed the head of the
household, the mother took up the bur-
den where he laid it down, tOiling with
steady purpose far into each succeeding
night, stitching upon garments TO. the
great firm in the city near by, busiIy ii,-
tent and content in keeping roof above
her boys and providing warm clothing
TO protect them from the fury of the
vigorous northern Winter.
That Winter was already upon them,
for Thanksgiving Day, dear To the
stomachs of all true American boys and
girls. was near at hand.
Two sturdy little urchins they lookssi,
those boys, as they lay snugly wrapped
iii the homely chamber, soundlv sleep
surprises and delights presented them
selves in dreamland fancies. for the boys
had their own venture for the season in
the flock of great, sleek turkeys who
proudly roained the dOoryard and re-
ceived from them the most scrupulous
care.
The sale of this flock, dressed for the
table of city families, had been their con-
slant thought and vision of wealth. since
first they had embarked upon the enter
prise in early Summer with the two par
ent birds MS Il nucleus, until now they
numbered Il round dozen of sleek, plump
birds, fit for tile ia Bile of Il king.
At Falmouth Grade, the position of
the track il peculiar. From five miles
west, the rails descend at a sharp grade,
Sc feet to the mile, at the foot of which,
and Immediately beside the rails, stood
the cottage. Then commenced an up
grade east. Heavy trains approaching
the foot of either grade put forth all
their power TO raise the opposite and
flew past the home of the boys at their
highest rate of speed. This proved for
our heroes never ending source of
pleasure and they hailed the coming of
the great locomotive, followed by its
long string of cars. with great delight.
Disastrous, however, was this high
rate Of speed for their charges, the tur-
keys. And, alas the evil day, so much
the more hard to bear, fell upon the
very day selected for their slaughter,
though i'll very different mode from
that in which death overlook them.
The silly birds were over fond of sun
ming themselves upon the track. Indeed,
they had been cautioned, scolded at and
driven from chat dangerous ground
times without number, but To no pur-
pose. Behold them, then, on the bright
sunshiny morning which was to see them
dressed for company, bathing in the sun
between the rails, needless OF Fast
Freight 80 rushing toward them, the iron
wheels cruel and relentless.
Toot. tooL foot! short and shrilI
from the engine, with no result, unless
to call the boys from their preparations
for the fray to witness the destruction of
their flock. Too late to drive them from
the track; in Il moment, the mighty en-
CINE had struck and passed, with one
shining body caught fast between the
bars of the overwhelmingly -catcher
in this case-to be carried bruised and
bleeding mass of feathers to the next
station.
Words fail, now, to describe the sor-
row and Indignation of the boys. or
the fine flock Of noble birds, but two
escaped uninjured; some were flung to
the side of the roadbed broken and
bleeding, others were crushed into I'M
recognizable masses of feathers by the
wheels Of the flying train. Their Sum
mer's work was gone.
Nor was that all. With it went
books, boots and clothing for school,
Christmas presents TOR mother All