The Holly chieftain., 1898-11-25
kill that turkey any time you want it

Kill that turkey any time you want II
killed"
He turned to the other boy and said:
Thomas Jefferson, you go out and
chop his head off when you get him.
You'll find the ak by the grindstone.
It's time you boys learned TO do such
things"
Thomas jefferson disappeared. and
Mr.. Dassy peeped cautiously out of the
window. Mrs. Dassy said not a word.
Andrew jackson and George Washing
ton were having good deal Of diff
Guilty in capturing the turkey. They
had at first tried TO approach him and
pick him up as they had often done,
but something unusual in their man
ner alarmed him and he walked of.
After several attempts they gave up
and Andrew Jackson said: We've got
TO run him down, George" and they
both started after him. They were
good runners; but Noah was also u
good runner.
Around and around the barn they
went twenty times. the boys two steps
behind the turkey. who had hi. head
lowered, his wings tight folded, and
was taking steps quite as long as they
were. AT last, however, the boys
gained little upon him.
Fall on him. fall on him!" shouted
Thomas jefferson, from the grind
stone. Andrew Jackson fell forward
on his face, with George Washington
IN top of him.
But they counted without their host
-.Nnnh ,x,i.h fa-
beat of his wings he shot out. and then
sailed away to the top of the lone Tree.
There he stood up and uttered a de-
tiant gobble.
Hear that!" cried Mr.. Dassy, IN a
rage. I'm fix him now!" and he
snatched down his rifle from the wall.
Now you put that gun right back"
said his wife, firmly. You know per-
fectly well If you shoot at him so far
off that you are liable to wound him,
and l won't have him suffering. Wait
till morning, when you can get
up close to him and shoot him right
and so he'll never know what hits
him."
Mr.. Dassy snorted once or twice and
put up the rifle.
1t was just before the first sign of
dawn next morning. The house was
dark. and the only sound to be heard
was the sharp rush OF the wind
through the pine.
Suddenly there came In the morning
stiffness the jangling gobble of Noah
No one heard it. Then it came again.
louder,
Mr.. Dassy half awoke and said:
"Consairn that turkey" and turned
over. There was another gobble; Mr.
Dassy half opened his eyes and saw a
strange light playing on the ceiling.
and then one of the boys began pound
ing iuriously ON the stovepipe. and
shouted excitedly from above:
Fire! fire! There's prairie fire
coming! It's right on us; it's got in.
side the firebreak!"
In two minutes the entire Dassy
iamiy were out fighting the approach
ing fire. II was long hours work.
But the grass had been grazed on and
;rampled down. and at last with much
beating of brooms. shovels. pieces of
boards and old blankets they subdued
the flames and saved their stacks and
buildings. Then. tired but happy. they
returned to the house.
1t was then too late to return to bed
and Mrs. Dassy got breakfast. After
they had eaten they sat around the
stove for an hour. The sun was we'll
up. Noah was walking about cautious
ly outside. carrying his head high and
still somewhat alarmed. After awhile
he gobbled. Mr.. Dassy arose and took
down his rife.
william Henry" said his wife
sharply, what are you going to do?"
What am I going to do2 Well. 1
reck k,ned I'd take a turn along the
edg" of the canyon and see if i couldn't
knock over a jack-rabbit. To-mor-
rows Thanksgiving. Do you think we
can have Thanksgiving without any
fresh meat?"
Then he went out.
1t was the next day and they were
all gathered round the table. Mrs.
Dassy's brother from Sand Lake was
with them. He looked at the blue plat
ter and said: "'Pears to me, william
Henry, that's a powerful queer-look-
ing Thanksgiving turkey you've got.
I'll bet dollar there amt any wish.
bone in It,"
you've hit it right, Hiram" re-
turned Mr.. Dassy. Our Thanksgiving
turkey amt much to brag of, but
we've got right smart heap of
Thanksgiving. Hear that rascal Noa h
gobbling out there! l tell you he's
got the clearest and the musicalest
gobble of any turkey in the whole
pesky world!"-Hayden Carruth. in
Youths Companion.