Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1896-12-24
TWO CHRISTMAS TURKEYS.

ping, frosty air that whisked about,
tweaking noses and filliping cheeks
until they bloomed like peonies.
Church was out, and a stream OF
people poured along the streets in the
merriest humor imaginable, for, bless
us all, it was Christmas day, and their
hearts were aglow with the spirit OF
peace on earth and good will toward
men.
The youngsters went hurrying home
ward with skates slung over their
shoulders, of the new and glittering
pattern especially delighted in by
Santa Claus, for fine as the ice was the
ringing of the noontide bells had called
up visions of turkey and stufing, plum
pudding and mince pie which no NOR
tai boy could resist.
AS for the little girls in their hoods
and mittens and mufs they had found
in the chimney place that morning, be-
tween vanity and appetite they stood
irresolute at their own front gates,
such happy, rosy, chubby creatures
that everybody smiled involuntarily
at sight of them.
The policemen on the corners slap
ped their arms about like windmills to
keep themselves warm, grinning from
ear to ear just because it was Christ
mas day. And over all pealed the
Joyous music of the bells in carols that
found an echo on every lip.
Even the houses wore gala air
Wreaths Of evergreens hung in all the
windows high and low, and the mar
ket on the corner was a thing of beau
ty and Joy forever, with piles OF
crimson cranberries, golden pumpkins,
silver turnips, celery, apples, pears and
nuts heaped picturesquely behind its
frost-etched panes Of glass, and the
whole framed in graceful festoons Of
1ucks and chickens.
1t was triumph of art No Won
der the passers stopped in spite Of
their hurry to gaze upon it for the
thousandth time and fall to specula-
ting as to what had become of its two
crowning glories, the biggest turkey
and the smallest on record-which
had hung there side by side for week
past in contrast at once the joke and
| admiration of all beholders.
Popular belief held that the mon
ster, the 30-pounder, had been pur,
chased by old Ebenezer Green, the
rich and crusty bachelor who lived by
himself in big house on the outskirts
of town, for he was the only person
who could have afforded to buy it II
such hard times. But the little one
There was hardly more meat on it,
tiny carcass than on spring chicken
Who had a family small enough tc
get a Christmas dinner out of that ?
Ebenezer Green had been asking
himself the very question as he sat by
the fire that noon, now watching thc
flames leap up the chimney, now turn
ing to glance at the woman who pre-
sided over the housekeeping, laying
the table for his holiday feast-a feast
alas, OF solitary splendor He haC
been struck all at once at the absurd
ty of setting such a gigantic bird be
fore single person, and when he saw
a platter half as large as the tabl
taken down from the closet where hi
mothers blue and white Canton chini
was stored, he fell into silent fit o
laughter.
The woman nodded grimly, with
quick appreciation of the situation
"'Tis funny, l declare" she said pres
emily, pausing as she reached the doc
with the great platter in her arms
"but the funniest part Of it all is tha
the little feller is cookin this minut
next door where they We got six mouth
to fill besides their own. 'Tis, homes
Injun?"
Next door," Ebenezer glancec
up inquiringly.
Eyes, in the cottage on the eas
side"
"Why, it's tumbling to pieces
'Tisn't fit for anybody to live in"
"Well, folks moved in month o
SO ago, respectable looking, but 1 CUES
they are about as poor as can be. He
out of work, and he helps about tn
house handy as woman, and she take
in sewing. There's parcel of chill
i II y. L L. - IL -. ....- "a z