The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1901-11-22


Bill, his heart swelling up, and he felt
more Of a man than ever.
Lady" he said, as she set the food
before him-and he was as solemn as
an owl-"the last thing my doctor says |
to me afore l took this here tower for
me healt', was to avoid rich vittals. I'm
obliged, but"
There's plain bread and butter, sir,
thenY suggested Mrs. Daintry, with an
amused smile.
Twelve got toothache! Thankee,
ma'am, but I've mistook my capacity,
and
Bill boted. The widow stood looking
curiously after him till his tattered figure
disappeared beyond the fence.
Perhaps-perhaps," she murmured
sadly, my boy is like that today
At o'clock that night Mrs. Daintry
heard a noise at the rear of the house.
She went to the kitchen door. A man
was prying up the pantry window. 1t
was her tramp visitor of the afternoon.
Have you come to rob?" exclaimed
she.
mo, ma'am, have notv' promptly re-
sponded Hobo Bill II came to bring
you a present-for your kindness to me
this p. IN. saw you had no tur-
key for Thanksgiving, ma'am, so I've
brought you one"
And, sure enough. Hobo Bill swung his
left hand around, holding as plump fowl
as ever graced kings larder.
Mrs. Daintry was speechless. This
was more singular than the mans be-
havior of the afternoon.
II was trying to sneak 1t into yer pan
try as a surprise, ma am" suggested Bill,
persuasively.
But l cannot accept itv' declared the
widow; that is, without paying for it,
and | have not the money to do that"
Madam" said Bill, with dignity; this
is gift"
But how did you, poor man, get it?"
"Worked for it, marm," lied Bill I'M
blushingly; "cut two cords of wood for a
farmer Had no money; paid me in
This Is the last. There you are! Good
evening, marm."
Hobo Bill flashed away like spirit,
leaving the sstonished widow lost In more
CONSERVATION and bewilderment than
ever.
Mrs. Daintry thought a good deal over
her strange gift Thanksgiving morning.
She finally concluded she had better cook
the turkey, hoping her erratic benefac-
tor would be along during the day to par
take of 1t.
She tried to be cheerful and thankful
but many tear fell by the time the
turkey was cooked.
There came tap at the rear door about
1 o'clock. The cook from the big house
stood on the step.
"Oh, Mrs. Daintry, excuse me, ma'am,
she said, 'but could you loan me little
cinnamon. They've run out, and"
She stared at the handsomely Drowned
fowl, done to a turn, for she knew the
widows hard-scraping experience of the
last year or two.
Certainly" assented Mrs. Daintry, al
ways accommodating, although she had
no reason to favor the big house, or any
of its inmates.
What a nice turkey you've got" pur
sued the cook. 1--WE have none to-day
"Indeed?' observed Mrs. Daintry, il
surprise.
Yes, ma amt was stolen"
'Stolen" echoed the widow, with {
start.
And then she guessed all, as the cool
went ON To tell how the discovery az H.,
theft had come too late that morning t.
admit of securing another fowl.
Mrs. Daintry acted a just and homes
, part-she insisted that the cook transfer
the roasted fowl to the table of the bi:
, house.
, Then she sat down to her humble meal
81, -
happenings of this queer Thanksgiving
day.
There came a knock at the door abou
= tw nor"- fer-the front aoor tniS ,.m,
Mrs. Daiptry drew back with a tremo
. as she answered the summons; her visito
l was the iron-gray, stern-souled old own
t er of the great house adjoining.
t "Eunice," he said, extending his hand
5 81 want you to come home with me-"
"Brother!' panted the widow.
Eyes, Eunice, haven't we had enough
of animosities for the past two years, yo
and I?'
Edward, have cherished none"
"Then, my ridiculous temper is t
blame" said Mr.. Aylmer in rapid
shamefaced way. when l heard tn
= story of that turkey-whea l once NOR
sat down to a meal remindful of the oil
e days-ah sister! you were always tn
e cook of cooks!" he said, trying to pass Of
really serious occasion with a smil,
a 81 say. let it all end I've been thinkn
e it over. l was in the wrong; I was to
harsh to you. Your boy misbehaved, an
n l chided. You chung to him, and pu
: I'D that fence. and shut Won out of sigI