Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1901-11-22


After they had Piled their axes
awhile John stuck his into log and,
going to his coat, drew package from
pocket.
Il always did relish victuals in the
woods, an so | fetched along some
bread an meat. Let's set down an cake
bite"
"Well, can most always eat Silas
assented as he took his allotted share
and sat down beside his companion,
munching the bread and meat and let
ting his eyes rove about as people are
apt to do when eating out of doors.
A company of chickadees were busy
gathering their slender fare on low
branch before him, and on higher
one red squirrel began rasping but
ternut
"Eatn' their Thanksgivin' dinner"
Slas said, holding at the little ban
queters.
make 'em a tolerable long meal If
they keep it up till tomorrow arter-
noon. Hush, What be they ringin
the meetin' house bell for:" John asked
excitedly as the mellow tones of
church bell were waited to their ears.
"Why, don't they alwaysF Silas
asked. glazing curiously at his com
panlon.
"Why, Silas, you know they don't
never. only Sundays an fast days an
Thanksgivin, except funerals, an there
amt nobody dead, not as | know of,
Look a-here, John Blake" said ST.
las. "be you crazy or be you foolin!
You act all the time as If you was
maxim blieve this want ThanksglVh
day, sot by the gov'nor an bein' KEEP
by everybody but you an |. Now, quit
your nonsense an let's hurry up, for
want to git home. We hain't got no tnr'
KEY. but Phebe had three as neat chick
ems as ever you see all ready to go INTO
the oven when | come away, an the
children's all goin' to be there, an /
want to be on hand to rights.
Johns face grew blank. His eyes
stared, unsoeing, into space.
Good gracious, Peter! If Betsy an
me hain't done it, Then. springlng TO
his feet Hurry up. should say! Most
noon Thanksgivin' day, Bctsy'S father
an mother an sister a-comln' an the
turkey a-hangin' up in the cellar II
she's KEEP a-dreamin' as long as nave
1t all came of that plaguey ole wash
b'iler springin' leak Monday, so she
couldn't wash till Tuesday, an we
counted from that. Never mind the TAR
nal wood. Onhitch the no ses an let
scoot."
, Five minutes later the team was tear
, ing down the road. the bounding wagon
, sending far and wide its laundering
, echoes that brought forth alarmed IN
mates from many farmstead, "iile
Silas hung on for dear life, as disJoint
cd Meas and protests were jolted from
. him. all unheeded by the reckless
/ driver.
/ Deacon Adams in his Sunday suit
loss the coat, was standing in the mids,
3 of his Sunday dressed household VIII
J an open letter in his hand and dlsap
. Monument on his face that was repeat
ed in various degrees in the faces OF hl'
| family. Hearing the unwonted am, th'
deacon rushed forth to ascertain the
I cause.
stop, stop! Hold on he cried. run
, ming out into the road, and John, lmpa
I tient of delay, drew rein.
I "Nhat on this livin' airth, John, Il
the matter? Is somebody sick or nave
. YOU bin takin' more'n you'd ought to-
q NO; there hain't nobody sick an
hofn't hin a-drinkin'." said John, an'
e he rapidly set forth the awkward situa
I ton.
' "You wait n minute and I'll fix yo'
q nm right as n rivet," said the deacon
still restraining his impatient neighbor
d "TU lend you a turkey all roasted ah'
- ready TO 20 ont the table. I'd liVeser
I. not. and so would Mis- Adams. You see
we invited my brother Try and all III
d folks. and we'd got two rousin big t'r
M