The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1904-11-17
Farmer Caldwell'S
Thanksgiving.

ny @. d. AcUFr.

Il was down In '1Or virginny" one
November morning that Toby Strange Of
che genus "hobo" crawled out from the
burrow he had made for himself In n
straw stack and looked around him. The
sun was riding high In a blue haze. and
the chill air made poor Toby shtver.
"a cup OF hot coffee would do me
good" he muttcred, rs he glnnced dubi-
ously at a large log house plainly dis
'cernible 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 stiGcncd every weed and blade OF
grass in the field.
At the rear gate he paused as II awe
struck by the sights and sounds that
greeted him. In the adjoining barn 10:
was n great cackle among the hens.
which was almost drowned by the shrin
noise OF a dozen guinea fowls ranged on
the rail fence. The turkey gobblers strut
ted dciantly past the proud peacccks,
hut their challenges were drowned In
the general chatter. The noisy scene told
Its own story of comfortable farm life
60 the lonely wayfarer. and he sighed
deeply m he shufied into the yard and
drew towards him q tail. blooming chry-
santhemum, and brcathed It's unguent
fragrance.
"oh, finders end" he exclaimed under
mis- breath. Another Eve minutes con.
I~templation OF such a home-like scene
would spoil my appetite" and the soft
,encd expression OF his face was replaced
by a look OF harsh indifference. "PshRwv'
ne continued NJ he hobbled 10 the back
door, "rm too old and tough for any
sentimental vagaries." and he tapped on
fhe door.
Il was opened instantly By a very neat,
pretty girl Of nineteen or twenty. As
she held the door ajar. there poured but
n pleasant steam. which bore on les
breath n delicious odor OF sausage, hot
biscuit and strong coffee.
Lady. I'm very hungry. VIII you
please givs me something 90 eatT'
"Come In" she said kindly. "and eat
your breakfast"
Giving him a seat near the stove. she
brought from the corner cupboard n dish
OF fragrant sausage In brown gravy, bis
cults, and n cup OF rich. creamy coffee,
and arranged all on the kitchen table.
Az Toby etc, he hooked and really was
for the time nc peace with himself and
all che world. He tried In a dreamy.
half conscious way 20 ~analyrs a delight
ful odor which seemed familiar, but II
eludcd him ell the young lady, opening
the stove, took therefrom n tempting ere
alton &c brown and gold.
Pumpkin pies," he breathed. "I knew
that odor belonged % the Old days." but
the rerrstful pang he felt was very much
softsned by the substantial pleasure OF
the present.
Meantime the -oung lady. with an air
triumph, bore the pies Into the next
room.
"see. papa" Toby heard her exclaim.
my fhr~e years at school did not cost
my special talent"
$50 ! see," replied her father. "But
why pumpkin pies, my dearf"
"why, papa, don't you know next
rhursdny 80 Thanksgiving dayY"
YES, Amy. But i have been thinking
Ihat-in short, that va might dispense
with the dinner this year. While you
we're away at school your mother and !
bcoucmiDcd at Thanksgiving, and thereby
nvsd several pounds OF sugar and -four.
bex3des cleaying q dollar on the turkey.
I Gee no scuss In giving dinners and re-
sdidng whsu we have nothing to be
thankful for"
"oh, pspn." Amy exclaimed In horri.
Hed torres. Anothing % be thankful for.
How cnn you say no when we have NO
much mnre than we deservs7"
Ties. Amy. In q general way thar is
true. Bft 10 can't understand the hard
work and csose management Tn bound 20
practice 90 make ends meet. This year
Inns been q hard q altogether. One OF
my bcst horses died last spring. The
frost killed. the fruit crop. The pesky
dou Killed several shs~p; and between
ehs drought and the Insects my corn and