St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1893-11-30

THE STOLEN DINNER.
A Story for the Very Little People.

thanksgiving WSSh dt OTdHuInt
Mason's." And where in the wide
world was there such a lovely farm
as hers? There were barns full O
hay, there were horses, cows, sheep
turkeys, hens, and chickens, and
more splendid than all else, Prince,
the peacock. Strutting about the
ward, with his tail spread like a
brilliant fan, he would turn his head
and look at Nan, as much as to say
$50, little miss, do you have any.
thing like this in New York?
guess not city folks have to come to
the country to see what's what"
Among so many beautiful things,
what do you suppose Nan chose for
her special pet
Only a queer little speckled hen.
No one knew why she should have
preferred her to lambs, kittens. colts,
or puppies; but such was the fact
that she and Specklefeather soon be-
came fast friends.
My story would be too long were
! to tell you of hall OF the delights OF
Mans lie at the farm; and so,
instead OF the grand feast and the
games that followed, you shall hear
about Specklefeather's Thanksgiving
dinner.
Early in the morning of the great
day, Nan, armed with an iron spoon
and tin pail, betook herself to the
orchard, alone, however, Tor she was
planning great surprise for her pei.
Dear little Specklefedderl" she
said to herself. Won't she be
pleased when she sees it alp" and
taking the cover from her pail she
began to stir the mixture of meal
and water which Betty, the cook,
had given her.
A shingle served Tor baking.pan
soup-tureen, and pie-plate, and fruit.
dish.
Now here she said, dropping a
spoonful on the shingIe, here is
your turtle soup, Speckletedder, and
this is your turkey drum-stick, and
here are some oysters, and this is a
mlnce turnover.
IAN the rest I'll drop so, and
you'll know what's nuts and
what's grapes. There it looks
splendid, and now I'll go right off
and invite my Speckleiedder'
CHANGING up to the pantry windows
on her way to the poultry yard,
what should she see perched upon
the sill, inside, but her own little
hen.
Running through the kitchen she
cried out, 20 Betty, Specklefedder is
in the pantry" and opening the
door, there she was; but such
sight
She had just devoured Betty's big
gest custard pie, and in everything
her footsteps betrayed her.
"Oh, you funny Specklefedderl"
cried Nan, shaking with laughter.
Funny !" screamed Betty, bad
luck to the beast; she's good for
nothing but to be baked pie herself,
and that she shall be
At these terrible words Nan seized
her pet, and, rushing past Betty,
down to the orchard she few, hug
ging her close aud saying, Don't be
frightened, dear; Betty sha'n't touch
you and I've such surprise for you.
Now look, look !"
But alas for poor little Nan.
Turtle soup and all had vanished,
and down by the orchard wall she
caught sight OF Prince stalking
off in his usual stately fashion, his
tail more gorgeous than ever as it
trailed away behind him.
In dismay Nan sank upon the
ground tears filled her eyes, and she
Sobbed aloud
20 SpeCklefedder, meant you
should have such negligent
thanksgiving, and this is the end Of it
ALL Not hng have you got but a
pie you stole-O dearl o dear"
In response to Mans sad wall,
Speckleledder gave feeble cackle,
and from the lower end OF the or
chard came the sound of the pea
cocks screech.
Hearing this, Nan dried her tears
and almost laughed as she said:
Poor 6ngl you don't know any
better; but while you were stealing
Betty's pie Prince was stealing your
thanksgiving. Wasn't it funny,
Specklefedder 2"- NJ. M. in House
hold