The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1900-11-23


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~CM%H EEP ThanksgIvin'i
ZAT4 Well, I reckon
NTXnzL,S 1 can show a
nrst-class rea-
(UNBV Why this house
wy hoid-baby, wife
and me-and even our old dog,
Should thank God for all His goodness
In a song OF praise this season.
Though my gen'rai disposition is to grum-
BILE like a hog.
a celebration
OF Thanksgivin'-in his heart OF hearts
that very man Ia me.
n you'll listen for a moment to a word Of
explanation
u am sure that when my tale you've heard
20 this you will agree.
Though for years I've been a member of
a church. yet I'm confessin'
That my Visions. wicked temper and fault
nndin' spoiled my life.
xt has turned TO bitter sorrow days that
should have proved a blessin'
And has marked deep lines OF care upon
the brow OF my dear wife.
che has hoped and prayed and waited.
while she patiently expected
That some day her prayer OF faith would
bring an answer from above;
And at last. in Gods own time and way.
the change has been effected,
For my heart lost all It's anger when II
found a saviour's love.
How Il hsppenedf Well. I'll tell you. See
that dog there7 Come here. Roveri
He amt much for looks or breedin', but
that dog no man could buy.
See! he hates to leave the baby-though
she's FIVE years old and over.
Il 1 ailus call her baby" she's the
apple OF my eye.
Monday mornin'. bright and early. came
my n%eighbor. Squire Carroll,
And he told of signs OF turkey In the tim
Der down the creek:
SO I called the dog and shouldered my old
trusty double-barrel.
And l grinned when Mary mentioned that
this was "'rhanksgivin' week"
Well. we soon got In the timber. and We
walked and walked and hunted.
But no turkeyi So, as usual. I got mad
and almost cussed.
And. in spite OF all Squire Carroll said. I
grumbled. growied and grunted.
And ! felt I'd have to kick the dog or
else ia surely DUST.
90 my neishbor said he reckoned there's no
use In us a tryin
Any longer. since twas very plain the
birds had gone away:
And he laughed and says: IT see no use
In grumb1in' or In sighin',
For It's ten to one there's better luck for |
US some other day"
90 We parted. and I walked on. gettin'
madden every minute
Al the turkeys, at the squire and at my
self the most OF all
For my wicked. foolish anger-I knew well
there's no sense In IT.
Well. sir. Just then "Gobbie. gobble."
Come the turkeys welcome call;
Down | dropped. and when l saw him II
Just made me warm all over.
For" thinks !. you're just about the
size TO suit Thanksgivin' day"
Gut before / got a bead on him, this dog
of mine. old Rover.
Done some fool thing-ieast I thought
so-and my turkey hew away.
What ala 1 do? lake a coward. grabbed
that poor doz by the collar.
And i own I beat him shameful, but he
didn't even moan.
Then / turned my gun upon him, Just be-
cause he wouldn't holler;
Like a mad man pulled the trigger. and he
dropped Just like a stone.
Well. SIR. 1 can't tell my feelings; why, I
thought I'D surely smother.
when l saw him fall l turned away In
horror from the sight,
And l thought / knew how Cain felt when
he left his murdered brother.
As 1 v walked 1 cared not whittier till l saw
twas coming night.
when I got near home I noticed how the
air was growing colder.