Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1895-12-27


There were the vegetables and some dainties
she mad prepared for theni-all doomed las
never to reach the widow and her family.
ihen She thought of the deacon's long illness
IN the spring, when her neighbours ready assist
ance and kindly sympathy brought both rest
and comfort. Could such christian solicitude
come from an unworthy heart
Christmas dawned cold and bright cheer
bringing morning to everyone but the deacon.
who goomily sat around in the kitchen. FL
nally acting upon Mrs. Patterns advice, he
started tor the barn to secure turkey for din
ner. A few minutes later he landed in the
middle OF the kitchen with jump that sent
the unbaked custard in Mrs. Patterns pie flying
over the table
Mother" he yelled, 'the white turkeys
home seed it poke its head out from under
the barn when was t1yin to coax the Others
It's got under there and been driited in. an
them Davids--'
But Mrs. Patten had succeeded in reaching
him, and turning his attention to the other
side of the stove, where sat the Youngest
David child holding small basket
"What do you want ?" blurted out the excit-
ed deacon.
"Mother wants to know if you'll let us have
few potatoes for today, and we'll pay you as
soon as we get some money!
"When will you get any money, I'd like to
know ~ demanded the deacon
Dicks going to get some," proudly answer
ell the child.
Dick! Whatll he get money for p
"For owls. A man in town told him he'd
give him two dollars for every white owl he'd
ketch, an he's got one now. He had two, but
the other one" and the child hesitated
''Well what did you do with the other one p
asked the deacon, more for the sake of saying
something than that he cared to know
''We ate it, timidly answered the child.
"Ea. it What did YOU eat IN owl for -
shouted the deacon.
Cause we hadn't anything else" And as
the look of amazement on the deacon's face
was followed by ore of disgust, she fastened
to add, cit wasn't so bad. We made believe
it was turkey and
But the deacon fled to the barn and remained
there, till he saw the child we'll laden, leave
the yard.
"Did you ever hear the like mother With
all we've got to spare, here's our next neigh
Dor eatin' N owl. Amt fit for nothing, " and
the deacon fused around getting into his storm
coat. ''l'm going to hitch right up an 60
haul them things from the neighbors up to the
DaVluS an you ii nave TO ny round, cause IN
goin' to bring everyone of them Davids right
here to dinner. There amt no dependin on
more and there's got to be some one
round thatll look after such things, an I've
been thinkin' I'll have Dick come an do the
chores. He'll get his meals here, an then
We'll have way to send things home by him,
and we'll know whether our neighbours got
things fit to eat, or eatn' owls. Ough! I'd
rather eat your old dish rag, mother. Itwould
be jest as tender and twice as good tastin'"
"Where's the turkey for dinner ?" called
Mrs. Patten, as the deacon was going out at
the door.
Gland sakes, mother clean forgot to get
any But I'll get one an throw it out at the
door when | go past, and he started toward the
barn muttering, Guess its going to be Christ
masafter all.
'And not the white one, father Z" asked Mrs.
Patten in surprise as she looked down upon the
big russell turkey she found at her feet when
she opened the door.
"No,' said the deacon, startingup his team,
81 never could eat mouthfu of it. 1t would
Jest choke me. | said them Davids took it
home an eat it an they're gon' to do it."-Or-
ange Judd Farmer.