Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1904-11-19
Farmer Caldwell'S
Thanksgiving.

BY G. B. ACUTE.

1t was down in "Ol 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 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
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 stffiened 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 great cackle among the hens
which was almost drowned by the shril
noise of a dozen guinea fowls ranged on
the rail fence. The turkey gobblers strut
ted dehantly 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 wayfarer, and he sighed
deeply as he shuff1ed into the yard and
drew towards him tall blooming chry-
santhemum, and breathed its unguent
fragrance.
"Oh, finders end" he exclaimed under
his breath. Another five minutes con-
temptation of such a home-like scene
would spoil my appetite" and the soft
ened expression of his face was replaced
by look of harsh Indifference. 'Pshaww
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 ont
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 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 dreamy.
half conscious way to analyze a delight
full odor which seemed familiar. but IL
eluded him till the young lady, opening
the stove, took therefrom a tempting Gre
alton in brown and gold.
Pumpkin pies" he breathed. 81 knew
that odor belonged to the old days" but
the regretful pang he felt was very much
by the substantial pleasure of
the present.
Meantime the young lady, with an air
triumph, bore the pies into the next
room.
"See. papaw Toby heard her exclaim.
my three years at school did not cost
my special talent"
$50 1 see," replied her father. "But
Why pumpkin pies, my dear?"
why, papa. don't You know next
Thursday is Thanksgiving dayY'
"Yes, Amy. But 1 have been thinking
hath short, that we might dispense
With the dinner this year. While YOU
we're away at school your mother and l |
at Thanksgiving, and thereby |
'aved several pounds OF sugar and -four. |
'esides clearing a dollar on the turkey. |
SO no sense III ssvfns dinnsys and re- |