The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1904-11-19
Farmer Caldwell'S
Thanksgiving.
BY o. ,. AcUTE.


II was down in "Or Virglnny" one
November morning that Toby Strange o.
the genus hobo" crawisd out from the
burrow be had made for himself In a
straw stack and looked around him. The
sun was riding high In a blue haHs. and
the chill air made poor Toby SILVER.
"A cup Of hot coffee would DO ne
good" be muttered, as he glanced dubl-
ousIy at a large log house plainly dis
cernible through the bare branches %
some fruit trees In the distance.
He moved forward awkwardly 90 the
toes u one worn shoe and the heel %
the other. enheaV oring 70 keep his feet
from contact with the boar frost which
had sridened every weed and blade Of
grass in the hsId.
At the rear gate he paused as 10 awe
struck by the sights and sounds chat
greeted him. In the adjoining barn b0t
VAS great cackls among the hens
which was almost drowned BY the Ehrin
noise Of a dozen guinea fowls ranged on
the rail fence. The turkey Eobblsra strut
ted dshantly past the proud peacOcka.
but their challenges we're drowned IN
the general ClAttsr. The noisy scens told
It's own story Of comfortable farm Afs
20 the lonely Wayfarer. aud be aighe-i
drew towards him q tall, blooming ehry.
santhsmum. anil brsathsd it, ungusnt
fragrance.
"Oh. finders end" ne exclaimed under
his breath. Another ave minutes con
| temptation of such a homs-hks scene
would spoil my apostle" aud the soft.
sned expression Of his face was replaced
b = look OF harsh indifference. "Puha " -
he continued a. hs hObblsd 10 the back
door. I'm too old and tough for any
sentimental vagaFiss," and be tapped on
the door.
II was opened instantly By q very neat.
pretty girl Of nlnstssn OF twenty. A.
abe held the door ajar. there poured out
pleasant steam, which bore on les
breath a delicious odor OF sausage, hot
| biscuit and stronE coffee
Lady. I'm very hungry. WIN you
please give me something IN eatfr
Come In" she said kindly, "and eat
/ POUR breakfast
Giving him a seat near the stove, she
| brought from the corner cupboard a dish
of fragrant sausage In brown gravy, his
cults. and a cup Of rich. creamy coffee,
and arranged all on the kitchen table.
| As Toby ate. be booked and really was
for the time at peace with himself aud
all the world He tried In q dreamy,
half conscious way 70 aBalyze a delight.
/ full odor which seemed familiar, but II
sludsd him ill the young lady. opening
the stove took therefrom q tempting ere
alton In brown and gold.
Pumpkin pies" he breathedA"I knew
that Odor belonged 10 the old days" but
the Fezrstful pang he felt was very much
softonsd By the substantial plsasars Of
the present.
Mssntims the young lady, with an air
triumph. bore the pies into the next
room.
See, papar' Toby heard her s1claim,
my three years at school did not cost
my special talent"
80 sss," replied her father. But
why pumpkin pies. my dearT'
why, papa, don't ron know next
Thursday IL Thanksgiving dayr'
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 1
economical at Thanksgiving. and there By
saved several pounds Of sugar and -four,
besides clearing a dollar on the turkey.
see no sense in giving dinners and re-
joicing when we have nothing 10 be
thankful for"
"oh, papa" Amy exclaimed In horri.
ned tones. nothing 20 be thankful for.
How can you say 70 when we have 80
much more than we deservsf
Yes, Amy, In a general way that Il
true. But ron can't understand the hard
work and close management I'm bound 20
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 inserts my corn and
potato crops are cut OF at least half
And now, 20 cap the aHmax that cattle