The courier., 1897-01-30
STORIES IN PASSING.

woman OF very pious ana mefhodIsl
propensities from out near Rock creek
had brought out live turkeys into
Elgrin's grocery and queensware store
to exchange for provisions. In the
transaction one OF the birds escaped
from the covered basket and proceeded
TO make things decidedly lively for the
store. Ii fluttered up 10 box of crack
ers and then becoming frightened, cir.
cled in and out among barrels and bas
kets. upsetting rack OF brooms, claw
ing open a sack OF flour and finally
plumping into shelf Of glass jars. The
fluttering bird. the general confusion
and ali had bad effect on the store cat
and started il off into fit That animal
sprung over Mrs. Plowhard's shout
dor into cask OF pickles and theE flew
about in dizzy circles leaving a wet
and vinegary track over boxes and coun-
ters. Then the turkey finally with one
fell swoop ran amuck OF the lcng, up
right stovepipe. which disiointed, tum-
bled to the ground. illing the room
with smoke and covering -four sacks,
sugar casks and cracker. boxes with
SCOT.
John" cried the proprietor from the
front end OF the store to his son, what
the DEVILS the matter with you? It'll
be no laughing matter il that thing gets
into the 9ueensware. It'll mean five
hundred dollars gone to thunder il you
don't head 'em off. Stop that damned
turkey il you have to shoot itr'
The boy had no other weapon, how.
ever, but a large irrigated grown" po-
tato, which he let drive with such ac-
curacy as to bring down the bird. A
bucket OF cold water cooled off the cat,
and the danger was over.
But pious Mrs. Plowhead was so
shocked by the grocer's profanity that
she took her turkeys right over TO
Townsend's grocery across the way. And
perhaps Elgrin was not so sorry to lose
her trade after all.
Crossett, who lived in Weeping Water
years ago, had made some friends
among the young people Of Platts-
mouth. He liked them very much and
wanted to cultivate their acquaintance,
especially that OF a certain young lady.
Yet when he received an invitation to
attend the monthly hop Cf the Elm
wood Minuet club" the coming Thurs
day night. he was in a boat" as the ex.
preston goes. He couldn't dance. which
in itself was reason enough for staying
away, and then. again. his position in
the church and his clerkship in the
deacon's store. made the very thought
Of going out Of the question. But he
disliked to refuse the invitation on such
grounds, and feared that he would be
cut by the young fellows of Platts-
mouth and the certain young lady in
particular.
Then a happy thought struck him.
The Volunteer Fire company OF the
place was to give an entertainment
thursday evening. He belonged to that
organization and was on the program to
the extent OF assisting in the grand
closing scene when the entire fire force
was to rush in upon the stage and ex.
tinguish a miniature burning house.
Here wac an excuse Sohe wrote to his
Plattsmouth friends sending his re-
grets. He was very sorry, but he was
on the program of local entertainment
and could not very well get away. He
hoped it would not interfere with their
plans, but had it been any other night
but Thursday, etc, etc.
Crosseft was nleased immensely at his