The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1895-11-27
A Western Story.

| IN Jne IaDU WnlCn Is now Lne STATE OF
Minnesota.
We lived in tent until father and
brother Ben made log house, with
tables, bedsteads and benches of fra
grant pine planks hewn from gigantic
| trees.
"The very hardest thing to find in
this forsaken place is decent Thanks
giving dinner" said Ben in despair.
I'VE have milk and eggs, and next
year we can prepare for it by raising
poultry; but / don't see" mother
sighed, hesitated and stopped.
Don't say we shall have no Thanks.
giving dinner this year, motherW !
cried in dsmay.
But we must keep every hen, chill
dren, and we have no pig" began
father, :" so sparerib or turkey is out of
the question:
"Unless l can get wild turkey,
father" suggested Ben, hopefully.
"That is not at all likely, so don't set
your mind on it," answered father, and
there the discussion ended. Ben was
only twelve years old, but he was large
and stout of his age, and good hunter,
as frontier boys usually are.
81 know | can get turkey, and I'll
be on the lookout, now l can tell you.
III snare him and keep him in pen
until cold weather comes on. I'll do it.,
never you fear, sis. Well have tur-
key for Thanksgiving" he said, more
than once.
One frosty morning, Ben rushed in
eXcitedly: "Give me a bag or some
thing! There's a big turkey in the
snare by the brook singing out gut for
all he's worth. Hurry-quick-so
body! Don't let him get away"
1t was an easy thing to throw a
blanket over the captive's head. 1t was
not so easy to carry thirty pound COB
bier to the place which Ben prepared
for his prison, so sure had he been of
his prisoner.
The last of November came, and
father brought in his share of the feast
in the shape of young bear, and we
added bear sparerib to the bill of fare.
Mother made some delicious sausages
from that bear meat-those were for
Thanksgiving breakfast.
AT last all was ready. The turkey
was stuffed for baking, the sparerib
was in the stone oven, the brown bread
was steaming in the kettle, and the
dried raspberry leaves were in the tea
pot ready to steep for tea.
1t will be much nicer than dared
TO hope" smiled mother.
Father went to the nearest neigh
boris early in the morning, starting be-
fore daylight, hoping to find little
coffee for mother, surprise which she
would appreciate.
7 aaf tho tob1a uoinu tho ono ub;to
linen table cover that was left to us
from the days of plenty in the old home.
Mother brought out the silver spoons,
grandmother's wedding present, and
laid spray of pressed autumn leaves
upon each plate.
Suddenly we heard cry of dismay
from Ben, which drew us to the door.
The boy stood by the woodpile, grasp.
ing his ak firmly, while he gazed at
band of Indians who were coming in
single file from the lake shore.
! We were used to Indian visitors, but
mothers face grew pale as she saw
these. A word, softly spoken, brought
Ben to her side, still grasping the ak,
which would be useless in hands like
his against well-trained warriors.
The Indians came on with yells and
bowls, brandishing their glttering toma-
hawks. Mother put an arm around
Ben and me, drawing us close to her,
and awaited the fate which seemed in
evitable, with pale face and lips which
moved in voceless prayer.
The leader paused at the door. He
saw the appetizing sparerlb, and
emelled the fragrant corn bread and
| turkey.
"Ugh! eatP' he said, putting his
tomahawk away, while he pointed to
his mouth, the table and the food. The
others followed his example, and were
soon squatted around the room. laugh
ing as they watched mother set the food
on the table with trembling hands. II
disappeared as by magic, and soon OF
that precious turkey only the bones re-
NAMED Then the big brave straight
ened up. laid his hand on the handle
of his tomahawk and looked at us each
in turn. The others grinned and fol-
lowed his movements perfectly.
Then the big brave spoke: Ugh!
Coed woman-much eat-hungry No
kill" he said, and walked slowly out of
the house, followed by his comrades.
Mother never moved until the last
one disappeared over the bank; then
she set the kettle on, kinded the fire
and began another Thanksgiving din
ner, and what do you suppose it was
mush and milk.
1t was just ready when father re-
turned without the coffee.
The story was soon told, and his
brown face grew white as he listened
We'll he said, eve have much to
be thankful for. Let us give thanks TO
him who watches over our lives in
comfort and in sorrow, and has kept us
III the midsi of deadly peril"
" We have the tablecloth, the silver
snOous and the autumn leaves" said
u OF or, as she poured the milk.
"And cur livesl" added Ben, SOL
emmy. "The turkey did us some good"
HOODS PILLS cure Liver Ills,
| RiIiouauaas IudiDpstinu III a a al n a IA a