The Western news., 1904-11-16
Farmer Caldwell's
Thanksgiving.
BY G. b. ACUFF.


November morning chat 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 shiver.
"A cup Of hot coffee would do me
ously at large log house plainly dis
cemible 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, endeavoriny to keep his feet
from contact with the hoar frost which
had stidened 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
sreated him. In the adjoining barn lot
was great cackIe 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 deiantly 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-
eanthemum, and breathed its unguent
fragrance.
"Oh, finders 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 look Of harsh Indifference "Pshaw"
he continued as he hobbled to the back
door. "l'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
q pleasant steam, which bore on it's
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, "and 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.
Al 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 a delight
full odor which seemed familiar. but Il
eluded him till the young lady, opening
the stove, took therefrom a tempting cre-
alton in brown and gold.
pumpkin pies" he brsathed. II knew
that odor belonged to the old days" but
P,p1 hn An0k
softened by the substantial pleasure of
the present.
Meantime the young lady. with an air
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 I see," replied her father. "But
why pumpkin pies. my dear?"
"Why. papa. don't you know next
is Thanksgiving dayY'
Eyes, Amy. But have been thinking
that-in short. that we might dispense
with the dinner this year. While you
we're away at school your mother and l
economized at Thanksgiving, and thereby
,aved several pounds Of sugar and -four.
besides clearing a dollar on the turkey,
see no sense in giving dinners and re-
|oicng when we have nothing to be
for"
"Oh. papa" Amy exclaimed In horri-
led tones. nothing to be thankful for.
How can you say 80 when We have 30
much more than we deserved"
"Yes. Amy, In a general way that In
true. But you can't understand the hard
work and close management I'm bound to
practice to make ends meet. This year
has been hard one altogether. One OF
ny best horses died last spring. The
lrost killed the fruit crop. The pesky
logs killed several sheep; and between
he drought and the insects my corn and
potato crops are cut OF at least half, |
And now. to cap the climax that cattle