The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1903-11-27

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for months.
Then she came in sight Of the red
roofs Of the old place, and from the
open field near by she heard a throaty
note Of rage. Turning she discovered
the gobbler, and in another Instant he
was charging toward her. Jessica wore
a red dress-a cheaply stylish suit she
bought at a bargain sale in the city
and 1t aroused the great birds ire. He
advanced upon her. ruffiing with fury.
AT first she did not think Of fear, she,
a country girl ewho had been used to
feathered enemies all her life, but final
ly she became alarmed. She fed from
side to side. but her adversary had the
advantage Of wings as well as feet, and.
Jessica's feet trembled. She cried out
to him with no effect; hat futter Of
red before his eyes seemed to make a
maniac Of him. There was not a soul
in sight. She kept her hands up ready
to defend her face n eyes. Her heart
began to fail her. An uncanny feeling
came over her. It was as If this great
bird represented the spirit of her dear
old home which she had despised and
forsaken. He vas the sentinel to warn
her off from her paradise which she had
soorned and loved too late. The tur-
5ScoNSA SdAiSO Nv laolClJ
with sidewtse rushes. and his wings
famed her. It was then hat she
thought she heard the sound Of wheels.
Somebody was coming. In her desper-
alton she called out just as David Lap
ham came into sight around the turn
OF theroad with his OK team. He took
In the situation at q glance, for he
leaped down from his high perch on the
load of wood. whip in hand, and that
wastthe end Of the comic tragedy OF
Jessfca's homecoming.
When David Lapham, leaving his
oxen standing in the road, escorted Jes-
saca safely to her door. he was laugh
ing, although his face was white. 1.-THE
big gobbler scared her." he said, in X
PLANTATION Of her trembling.
Jessica's mother. who was rolling pies
at the Kitchen table. was started at he
sight of her, and came forward with the
tears rolling down her cheeks. She
looked at her as IL she could devour her,
but h did not embrace her. $50 you
thought you'd come after all," she said.
Yes replied Jessica, still feeling un-
certain as to how she was to be re-
ceived.
Jessica's father came in from the
barn, n the girl hardly knew him
for the light in his face. He even
laughed when David repeated the tale
Of the turkey gobbler. Thought we
wouldn't kill him as long as she wasn't
comm he said. Didn't need such a
big n just for two people. But now.
And mebbe you. David"
Il won't have him killed." cried Jes-
sica. "He-he treated me as I deserved
for staying away SO long. I deserved
just such a welcome. ! won't have
him killed."
Jessica broke down and began to cry.
She had cried Very seldom In her whole
life.
Her father hesitated. He was no a
demonStrative man n did not quite
know, how to meet tears from q woman.
Then he came close to her and pulled
OF her cheap hat and smoothed her
hair. Don't you fret; he sha'nt be
killed he said. There's another one
most as big, n every bit as ugly, con-
found his picture!'
Jessica's mother said nothing, but she
went into the pantry to get some little
turnovers that Jessica used to be fond
OF. and wiped the tears away angrily,
with her prom.
B you goin' back, Jessica 2" asked
David Lapham, who was standing by
the kitchen stove, whip in hand, and
whose face now and then broke into a
smile. though 1t was still white and
perpleXed.
mo, never, never!" cried Jessica.
That night she and David sat up late.
A great turkey was in the pantry all
trussed and stuffed ready for roasting
the next day, the house was full Of the
fragrance Of spice, and raisins and
sweets, and In the girls soul there was
peace OF satisfaction and thankfulness
that she had come again to her own.
For added to her Joy OF her homecoming
was q new joy that she and David had
found together.