Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1904-11-17
Farmer Caldwell'S
Thanksgiving.
BY G. B. ACUTE.
.~~~~~~~~

It was down in "Or virginny" one
November morning that Toby Strange of
the genus hobo" crawled out from the
burrOw he had made for himself in a
straw stack and looked around him. The
sun was riding high in a blue haze. and
the chill air made poor Toby shiyer.
"A cup Of hot coffee would do me
good" he muttered. as he glanced dubi-
ously at 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 stiftened every weed and blade of
grass 10 the field
, At the rear gate he paused as if awe
struck by the sights and sounds that
greeted him. In the adjoining barn lot
was great cackle among the hens.
which was almost drowned by the shrill
noise Of dozen guinea fowls ranged on
the rail fence. The turkey gobblers strut
ted defiantly past the proud peacocks.
but their challenges were drowned in
che general clatter. The noisy scene told
It's own story Of comfortable farm life
Nv Cuc iOIciy way iuiCA, uo olSuVu
deeply as he shuff1ed into the yard and
drew towards him a tall, blooming chry-
eanthenum, and breathed Its unguent
fragrance.
"Oh, tinder's end" he exclaimed under
his breath. another FIVE minutes con-
temptation Of such home-like scene
would spoil my appetite" and the soft
ened expression Of his face was replaced
by u look Of harsh Indifference. "Pshaww
be 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
abe held the door ajar, there poured out
pleasant steam. which bore on it's
breath a delicious odor Of sausage. hot
biscuit and strong coffee.
Lady, I'm very hungry. VIII you
plense give me something to eat?''
Come in" she said kindly. land eat
your breakfast"
Giving him seat near the stove, she
brought from the corner cupboard a dish
of fragrant sausage In brown gravy, bis
cults, and a 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
all the world. He tried in a dreamy.
half conscious way to analyze n delight
fnl odor which seemed familiar, but it
eluded him till the young lady, opening
che stove, took therefrom a tempting Gre
alton In brown and gold.
pumpkin pies" he breathed 81 knew
chat 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"
80 l see,' replied her father. but
why pumpkin pies. my dear?''
why. papa, don't you know next
Thursday is Thanksgiving dayY'
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.
| zee no sense in giving dinners and re-
toicing when We have nothing to be
thankful for"
"Oh. papa" Amy exclaimed In horri-
ned tones. nothing to be thankful for
How can you say so when we have so
much more than we deserve"
Yes. Amy. In general way that Ia
erue. But you can't understand the hard
work and close management I'm bound to
practice to make ends meet. This year
mas been 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
che drought and the insects my corn and
potato crops are cut off ut least half
And now, TO cap the climax that cattle