Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1904-11-17
Farmer CaldWell's
Thanksgiving.
BY G. B. ACUFF.
~~N~Noo~

1t was uOWD- Ill vi one
November morning that Toby Strange of
the genus hobo" crawled ont from the
burrow he had made for himself in a
straw stack and looked around him. The
sun was riding high in blue haze, and
the chill air made poor Toby shiver.
A cup of hot coffee would do me
good" he muttered, as he glanced dubi-
ously at a large log house plainly dis
cernble through the bare branches of
some fruit trees in the distance.
He moved forward aWkwardly on the
toes of one worn shoe and the heel of
the other. endeavoring to keep his feet
from contact with the hOar frost which
had sti1encd every weed and blade of
grass in the field
At the rear gate lie paused as if awe
struck by the sights and sounds that
greeted him. in the adjoining barn lot
was Il great cackle among the hens.
which was almost drowned by the shrill
noise of a dozen guinea fowls ranged on
the rail fence The turkey gobblerS strut
ted defantly past the proud peacocks.
but their challenges were drowned in
the general clatter. The noisy scene told
its own story of comfortable farm life
TO the lonely wayfarcr. and he sighed
deeply as he Shutfied into the yard and
drew towards him a tall. blooming chry-
santhensun. and hreathed its unguent
fragrance.
''Oh. finders end" lee exclaimed under
his breath ''An0thcr five minutes' con
temptation OF such Il homr-like scene
would spoil my appctite,' and the soft
ened expression of his face was replaced
l. 1,
he continued as he hobbled TO the back
door. I'm too old and tough for any
sentimental vagaries,' and he tapped on
the door.
1t was opened instantly by a very neat,
pretty girl of nineteen or twenty. AS
she held the door ajar. there poured out
pleasant steam, which bore on it's
breath delicious odor of sausage, hot
biscuit and strong coffee.
Lady, I'm very hungry. Will you
please give me something TO eat:''
Come in" she said kindly. and eat
your breakfast
Giving him Il seat near the stove. she
brought from the corner cupboard a dish
of fragrant sausage in brown gravy, bis
cults and Il cup of rich. creamy coffee,
and arranged all on the kitchen table
As Toby ate. he looked and really was
for the time at peace with himself and
Ill the world. He tried in dreamy,
half conscious way to analyze a delight
full odor which seemed familiar, but it
eluded him till the young lady, opening
the stove took therefrom Il tempting ere
alton in brown and gold.
pumpkin pies" he breathed Il knew
that Odor belonged TO the old days" but
the regretful pang he felt was very much
softened by the substantial pleasure Of
the present.
Meantime the young lady, with an air
triumph, bore the pies into the next
room.
See. papa" Toby heard her exclaim,
my three years at school did not cost
my special talent"
so | see" replied her father. But
why pumpkin pies. my DEAR"
Why, papa, don't you know next
Thursday is Thanksgiving day."
Yes Amy. But | have been thinking
that-in short that we might dispense
with the dinner this year. While you
were away at school your mother and
economical at Thanksgiving, and thereby
saved several pounds of sugar and -four.
besides clearing a dollar on the turkey.
l see no sense in giving dinners and re-
joicing when we have nothing to be
thankful for
''Oh. papa. Amy exclaimed in horri-
fed tones nothing to be thankful for.
How can YOU say so when we have so
much more than We deserve"
Yes. Amy in a general way that is
true. But you can't understand the hard
work and close management I'm bound to
practice to make ends meet This year
has been a hard one altogether. One of
my best horses died last spring. The
frost killed the fruit crop. The pesky
dogs killed several sheep: and between
the drought and the insects my corn and
potato crops are curt off at least half.
And now, to cap the climax that cattle