The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1901-11-30

s~AncS ~ aFess nlhls SOL hell have n
good long spell 10 hang. They're heaps
better so than they be to iy into the
oven. An then tomorrow you can git
Silas an go arter your load OF wood.
Mebby you can git two"
AS John Blake drove his lumber wag-
on along the road the next morning on
his way TO the wood lot he noticed ahat
an indolent atmosphere seemed 10 per
wade the few farmhouses which he
passed. but II only impressed him as
rather early sign OF the coming holl-
day.
lie found Silas Day cutting firewood
at his door looking somewhat surpris-
ed at his appearance and more SO at
the request to- 90 TO the woods.
why. yes. s'pose | can go an help
you spell" he answered, "arter | cut
Phebe a speck more wood. She'll want
considerable today"
"Nes, gettin' ready so for Thanks
givln.' Betsy IS, too; busy as a bee
IN a tar barrel"
Presently they were joltlng over the
rough byroad, too much shaken for
came to halt in the quiet OF the bare
November woods
Il don't hardly see how you come 70
put off gittIn' your wood till today"
said SlIas, looking up through the net
ted branches at the climbing sun.
Wei, | had lot of things to tend
to an couldn't get roun' to It. ! s'posc
| might ha' waited till arter Thanks
giyln', but thought l might as well git
II afore."
Silas stared at him and muttered,
"Runnn' pretty clus to the wind,
should think"
After they had piled their axes
awhile John stuck his into a log and,
going to his coat. drew package from
pocket
Il always did relish vlctuals in the
woods. an so fetched along some
bread an meat. Let's set down an take
a bite"
"Well. l can most always eat" Silas
assented as he took his allotted share
and sat down beside his companion,
munchlng 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 chlckadees were busy
gathering their slender fare on a low
branch before him. and on a higher
one a red squirrel began rasping a but
ternut.
"Eatlu' their Thanksglyin' dinner"
Silas said, nodding at the little ban
quetcrs.
MAKE 'em tolerable long meal II
they keep it up till tomorrow arter
noon. Hush, What be they ringin'
the meotln' house bell for2' John asked
excitedly as the mellow tones OF a
church bell were waited 90 their ears.
"why, don't they always silas
asked. glarng curously az his CON
panlon.
"Why. Sllas, 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-hcre, John Blake" said ST.
las. "be you crazy or be you fooln'?
You net an the time as II you was
maxim blieye this want Thanksgiyin'
day, sot by the goy'nor an hein' KEEP
i by everybody but you an J. Now, quit
1 your nonsense an let's hurry up, for
want TO cit home. We hnlnt got no tur.
/ key, hut Phebe had three as neat chick
4 ems rs ever You see AL ready e go into
the oven when / come away, an the
/ chlldrcn's all goln to be there, an
| want TO be on hand 60 rights
Johns face grew blank His eyes
4 stared. unseeing, into space
"GoDd gracious, Peter! II Betsy an
nae haint done I'll" Then, sprlnging To-
/ his feet: Hurry up. ! should say Most
noon Thanksgivin' day Bctsy's father
an mother an sister a-comn' an the
turkey ashabgn' up Ia the cellar II
she's KEEP a.drcamln' as long as have.
1t all came OF that plaguey ole wnsh
bIler springln' leak Monday, % she
couldn't wash Oil Tuesday, an we
counted from that Never mind the tar
nal wood Onhiteh the hoses an lets
scoot"
Five minutes later the team was tear
ing down the road, the bounding wagon
sending far and wide rs laundering
i echoes that brought forth alarmed In
/ IlINtN tiNNl ANNAAa A AtAt AittttAlAtt WIN
1 Sllas hung ON Tor dear life, as disjoint-
ed pleas and protests were lolted from
him. all unheeded by the reckless
driver.
Deacon Adams IN his Sunday suit,
less the coat. was standing IA the midst
of bis Sunday dressed household with
an open letter "a his hand and disap-
polntment OH his face that was repeat
ed in various degrees III the faces Of his
family. Hearing the unwontcd din, the
\ deacon rushed forth 20 ascertain the
cause.
"Stop, stopl Hold orr he cried, rum
ming out into the road, and John, impa-
tlent Of delay drew rein.
"What on this liyin' arthi John, IN
/ the matterg Is somebody sicl or have
you bin takin' more'n you'd ought tor
"No. there hain't nobody Slick. an /
haln't bin a-drinkin'," said l0hn ana