The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-12-23
THE EVENING STORY
Their Christmas Turkey.
by Mildred Bent.l

lBy Mildred Bent.]
Patiently enough the family. had en-
dured Frank Framely's fads until he
became vegetarian. An overindul-
gence in turkey at the Thanksgivine
feast had been followed by fasting. re-
pentance and the adoption of the yege-
tarlan cult. Steaks gave place to salads,
ana lamb to tentiis, wherefore the spare
pennies OF the Framely youngsters were
invested In ham sandwiches and smok-
cd peer, instead of cake and candy.
Pat1ent little Mrs. Framely despaired
OF getting a new girl in place of the
departing Della, for Framely insisted
that his entire household share his fads,
and his wife realized the truth of Della 5
indignant declaration that mo dacent
gurrl would 'bide in house where
there was divil a sup o. meat"
1t had been bad enough when Frame
~ had adopted the thorough mastica-
uon rad, and the entire family had sol
EMMY chewed its food to the loud click
or the metronome. 1t had been worse
when all hands slept in tent in the
back yard because Framely had a cold
and feared consumption, but even with
an approved vegetarian kitchen within
half mile it was difficult to give
variety to the menu with only vegeta-
bles as foundation.
The younger Framelys refused to re-
gard nut ragouts as fit substitutes for
their mothers savory stews, and the
hospitable soul of Mrs Framely was
tried by the evasive excuses of those
who were invited to dinner. The poor
little woman considered it necessary to
explain that they were now vegetarians,
and SO anticipatory smiles faded from
expectant faces as the owners thereof
mentioned transparent previous en-
gagements suddenly recalled.
Finally she pleaded with her hus-
band for a turkey for Christmas, to his
great horror.
Just for one day?' he repeated after
her. My dear, would you plead with
me to Feed my innocent children on
diet of poisons for just one day?' No.
l have ordered a beautiful mock tur-
key from the Vegetarian Kitchen They
assure me that. it tastes exactly like
the bird, and it is nodded into the
same shape. The children will not know
the difference if they shut their eyes"
But they can't eat their dinner
with their eyes shut" protested Mrs.
Framely, feebly. Her husband re-
garded her with mild sorrow.
IF only they might eat with their
eyes truly open," he lamented; "open
to the danger that turks within the
dead flesh they would stuff their stom-
achs with. Some day they will thank
me for saving them from the evils
and miseries of the flesh eaters"
Framely adroitly made his escape
before his wife could find an answer
to this outbreak, and toward after
noon the mock turkey made its ap-
pearance 1t resembled a gigantic
candy favor in shape and color. The
Uniting of the outside had been rude
ly done and by no means suggested
the cracking skin of the barnyard
king bursting from the pressure of the
rich juices within. Sadly Mrs. Frame
" shook her head as she showed the
bird into the icebox along with the
rest of the packages which the wagon
had brought and busted herself with
some meatleSS mince
meat" into pies
Christmas day dawned somberly
enough in the Framely household.
Frank, Jr., had thrown his carrot cut
let to the floor and had been sent
from the table in disgrace, and Nellie
had invited a second outburst by tear
July pleading permission to go to her1
yrandmother's where they would have
4 real Christmas dinner. Grand
mother was on the maternal side,
and Mrs Colford's intolerance of her
fads was an ever-ready
subject for acrimonious discussion.
To cap the climax, the elder Mrs.
Framely arrived unannounced during
he forenoon.
at was lonesome" she explained, as
she followed her daughter-in-law into
he parlor, 80 L just packed up some
nince pies and some jellies I'd made |
and brought them along. guess |
Frank will like one of his mothers
nit that you do beat me on your |
trusts, my dear. Now give me an /
lpron and I'll help you with the tur-
Sey."
Mrs. Framely, the younger. shrank
rom an explanation, and with the
statement that things only needed to
,e warmed up thrust the matter
lside. When her husband came in
rom church with the children she
dipped out to put things on the table.
20 IL ga n
ng room she supposed, of course, that
rer husband had explained, and. so
made no comment when the old LADY
ct aside her thick vegetable soup
With the comment that she never did
ike those new tangled soups.
But when the turkey was brought
n and set upon the table the old lady
frightened up.
II don't see how you get your
turkey such an even brown all over"
,urns on the top. You know I like
he second joint and some of tho
white meat, Frank
For an instant Framely went
ickly white.
'sThere is no white or dark meat"
lie said family "This is a mock tur-
,ey. a mixture of nuts and vegetables.
,ou know We have awakened to
he error Of our ways and eat no more
,otber r as she sliced bit from the
TRANCE mixture. You eat this sort
stuff instead?"
saThe pure product of Mother Ma ,
IRE; of the green fields and the /,
ealthfu1 sunshine" said her son
olemnly.
s'The last time / was here, you were
hewing your food like a COW chews
$ cud," remarked the old lady
everely "That was bad enough, but
hen YOU make a mock of Christmas
18th YOUR mock turkey, 1t makes me
-isb Won were Young enough to be