Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1894-11-29

ncigilborhood. although no one ever
thought of calling Rowena aunt. But
Abigail Henderson was mistress in the
house and on the farm. Everything.
from the least TO the greatest, yielded
unQuestioning obedience to her mild
authority, with the exception OF one old
turkey. That bird had ideas of her
W about seeking a nest and rear
Ing her young. ana passed with silent
contempt the snug places her mistress
prt vided for her. Other turkeys might
be. beguiled into sheds or convenient
fence corners. not she. Only last spring
she had eluded the vigilance Of Abigail.
her nest In Deacon Shipma1's pasture
half n mile away.
LAS IT," said Aunt Abigail, when,
after n long search, she carried the an
cry turkey home, I'VE hadn't a good
home an must CAD off to the neighbors.
l never see such a fool. I'll look artcr
We next year, see IL / don't"
All the morning Aunt Abigail was
busy getting ready for the company.
Dear me-" she said. in the midst of
the mixing. II Amt seen the old tur-
key lately. an its time fur her to GO to
setin'. I'll send Rowena to look fur
her"
But her hands were In the dough
and Rowena was busting the front
room; so the turkey was forgotten.
Two o'clock brought the company. and
the afternoon was spent in visiting.
Once, indeed. at tea tine, Aunt Abigail
thought of the missing turkey, bnt there
was no time to look for her then, and
again the subject was forgotten. Sup
per was over. Brother William and
his good wife were gone and Rowena
rose to light Mrs. Simpson to the
spare bedroom.
" think you'll find everything COM
Portable" she said. sitting the candle
on The bureau: but IL you want any
thing In the night, just call Abigail"
Aunt Mary Simpson was an old lady
In poor health. She was tired and
soon fell asleep. Some time near mid
night she awoke and was unable to
sleep again. The night was warm,
and growing restless she began to toss
about. when from beneath her came n
sharp voice. quit" She lay still and
listened. All was silent MS the grave.
IL must n been dreamin'." she said TO
herself and tried to go 10 sleep. but in
vain. Again she tossed restlcssly
about and again came the mysterious
voice, saying only one word, "quit.''
The old lady lay still in utter conster-
nation. Who could 1t be that address
ed her In such an i'll hammered fashion.
She listened i%ntently. No sound came
from out the darkness. Her first inn
preston was that she had better call
Abigail. but a second thought changed
her mind. "Who's goin' TO hurt me
anyhow" she said TO herself.
Good old soul. she had a clear con-
science. and 1t would have taken an
earthquake to alarm her. After awhile
she fell asleep and the sun was shining
when she awoke. Aunt Mary arose
hastily and looked about. Nothing I'M
usual wns TO be seen. She raised the
curtain and looked under the bed.
There. Nesting her spcckled eggs In a
basket Of patchwork, sat the missing
turkey.
Law" said Aunt Mary. "why Didn't
ye say who We was. / thought yer voice
sounded nat'ral." The turkey answer
ed. quit" But l might 4 know'd
It. The idee Of anybody liyin' on n
farm all their days an then get scIart
1t a turkey hen I won't say a word