Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1904-11-19
Farmer CaldWell'S
Thanksgiving.
NN~~~~N0N0
BY G. B. ACUFF.


1t was down in cor Virginny" one
November morning that Toby Strange of
the genus hobo" crawled out from the
burrow he had made for himself in
straw stack and looked around him The
sun was riding high in a blue haze, and
the chill air made poor Toby SILVER.
"a cup of hot coffee would do me
good" he muttered, as he glanced dubi-
ousy at n 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 sti1ened every weed and blade of
grass in 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 a great caclle 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
the general clatter. The noisy scene told
it's own story of comfortable farm life
to the lonely wayfarer, and he sighed
deeply as he shuffled into the yard and
drew towards him tall blooming chry-
santhemum, and breathed its unguent
fragrance.
ooh, finders end" he exclaimed under
his breath. Another five minutes CON
temptation Of such a homc-like scene
would spoil my appetite and the soft
ened expression of his face was replaced
by a look of harsh indifference. "Pshaw"
ne 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
a pleasant steam, which bore on its
breath a 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, land eat
your breakfast"
Giving him q seat near the stove, she
brought from the corner cupboard 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 delight
full odor which seemed familiar, but it
eluded him till the young lady, opening
the stove. took therefrom tempting Gre
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, papar' Toby heard her exclaim'
my three years at school did not cost
my special talent"
$50 see," replied her father. But
why pumpkin pies, my dearY
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 Hour
besides clearing a dollar on the turkey
4 see no sense in giving dinners and re-