New-York tribune., 1899-11-26
DTSlIENBERNENT OF TURhEi.
VIEWS OF THE FLOCK ON THE APffOAOH
OF TIANKsGIvING-THE HORRORS
OF BEING LEFT OVER.

.>-or, that Robespierre is gone" said the Sublime
porta I'VE may resume the discussion IN which
we were engaged when he appeared So
that although he means and viii accomplish mum
Ing but good for us. his presence inspires IN ine
7 reneat. in me-such a sensation Of awe that
feel # an improperly 20 speak as wouid III HIS
absence knowing that II repeat. that lean al
hes, only propose while all is for him to dispose
The Sublime Porte called because ne
was the head and chief Of all the turkeys Ana inc
turkeys called the man who had charge OF 'he'h
Robesp!errc because OF his well known ultimate III
tentlon toward them. This intention they knew 10
be the most kindly in the world-to bring them to
the good END which all turkeys desre-but as
THANKSGIVING actually approached some or them
felt the true sublimity of that end TO an extent
which amounted as the Sublime Porte had suggest
ed to positive awe. and In the cases OF Few 10
mild trepidatlon.
~ fail to see" said turkey which had been
batched in the course OF the summer. what II IL
that YOU find so inspiring IN the prospect OF having
your head off within few days 10 make
Yankee holiday"
THAT IS because" the Sublime Porte replied. IT
is not permitted to you to look forward 10 any
such privilege Your end will be Us irregular as
vour Matching was unreasonable The time for
turkey to be hatched is in the spring. At the time
when YOU were hatched he should be striding
through the fields. clearing the land or the pesu-
lent grasshopper. When you are old enough Tor
that the grasshopper is gone. and the turkey OF
good Matching is fattenng meal and is looking
forward with eager anticipation TO Thanksgiving
But that is not for you. You hatched late
purposely that you might be halved and broed."
Il am told." the Junior murmured apologetically.
that broiled young turkey IL regarded az rather
fashionable luxury.
Fashionable! Yes said the Sublime Porte, with
scorn which his voice could scarcely express;
brolling is a fashion: Thanksgiving is an ancient
custom That Is enough TO say. You We can only
despise, but there are some among us whom we
must pity"
The color OF the gils OF all the turkeys went OFF
from scarlet to pink. and some of them stammered;
! which? Which,
''I cannot tell" the Sublime Porte answered. 1T
| will not be any OF us who are largest and Will
| count as prizes In the market. but some Will be
| kept Not all can share In the Observance OF the
greatest day of year Some must remain to
| supply the demand of the market al! through the
| winter and some must lay the eggs next spring
| 1t is hard but those Of you who chosen for
these purposes must find consolation in the thought
that you do a necessary though not glorious work
| II is sad sad indeed. Ny mother has told me that
the pride OF caring for mel repeat for me.Tas ,,
not suiiieent TO compensate agn ner ior no' having
"oh, stufng" said the young TURKEY it e VINO T han
! be good for your crop What do you want 10 Ole
"By dying now" the Sublime Porte answered. not
choosing 10 heed disrespecful tone OF the young
turkey we pass from our ar own I Ses Res at on once INTO
the being and the lives OF men. II Is for US hlnd
ba Oh pRydSGhh pByydShss except that it e tangible and
| tain, while that is intangible and uncertain. we
1T has always been a source OF regret TO me-
said a turkey only "A trne smaller than the Sublime
! cestry-no pride OF hatchery. as may say
pride OF incubation" the Sublime Porte sug-
1t is a good word" the other went on wv. What
! ] mean s that who are TO bestow our lives on
| fh ThauksRiViuR
! posterty and TO make us remembered. IL Is they
who viii be the ancestors of the Thanksgiving
turkeys OF other years. can well remember when
| my moor father was taken from u.s. early last sum-
mer He said that It was not death that he feared.
dis S To- die care Even not 70 9euns Se SSd P
are out of season and ! am not III to eat shall
carved with a cleaver and served In small portions,
after | have been done for hours. with diluted
sauee for amy BIRD But that Is what they viii
call it-that is what they will call 1t. And they
who eat me VIII not praise me. as they would have
done last Thankssiyng M An i my poor father
know. would have been TO die seven months before
Your story" said another large turkey. rs one
that should make MS all think seriously. OF late
have felt a little rheumatism In my liver wing
iaSls? sender " "''' MAKE me f'' desirable Tor the
because you have used It so little. wild turkeys
| have no such trouble. have myself been troubled
with my second snis ba, 'noSgh, hev at arst that
only faenng pains NY 69Gy IS 0o too heavy ga for or me
short a time longer
| Il wish that ] could feel you do" said a bird
| not quite so large as these. but / cannot deny
that have a sinking Of the gizzard at the thought
! OF losing my head. ! know that the feeling is un.
Cheer np old chick said the Sublime Porte. II
| must be explained here that among turkeys "Old
| chick" means about what "od boy" does among
| men When used by equal or by superior Il
is a term OF affection. but no turkey. except on,
| left over after Thanksgiving. would allow chick
! en- to call him "old chick" Cheer up said thu
| Sublime Porte. remember Sidney Carton. Wha
| dlA he say just before the fell? 1T is far
| far better that go 10 than ! have eve
| known.
| "But have heard" said the tlmid one. "tha
we do not always cause good rest to those Int
| whom go.
| THAT IS their afrair." said the Sublime Porte
| I'VE can but do our own best But, see, Their,
, | comes Rohespierre again. and he has the axe"
; | Robespierre was come. indeed and with the axe
| He stood by the block and the turkeys hurried e
his side, each hoping to be the first. that he nigh
be sure and each dreadng TO be the last lest n.
should be left for the winter market, or, stil
| worse, 10 live TIL summer.