Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-03-11
THE GIFT on GoLIATH.

II am sorry, dear" said mother,
but It's been hard year. you know,
and we must have the money"
Davy choked back a sob. for there
were tears in mothers voice. Never
mind, mother he said. "I'll get
along some WY"
Mother went back to her work.
Da1 sat down in the window. OF
Course 1t was all right. But what
ever should he do without Goliath?
Goliath was only turkey. But when
little boy has nothing else to pet
we'll. turkey isn't SO bad. And
such turkey! White, plump and
bristling with Importance from his
earliest day a regular giant Of
turkey Mr.. Mason had said.
Let's call him Goliath, father"
Dayy had said. Davy-never quite
strong, like Ben and Dan-read a
great deal, and his head was full Of
Bible stories.
From the time Goliath was named,
he seemed, some way. to belong to
Davy. The two were always to-
gether. Goliath ate from Davy's
hands. Then many of the turkeys had
been taken sick-Goliath among the
rest. Davy had carried him into
the house and given him the best of
care. Goliath got we'll. but many OF
the other turkeys died. That was
why there was so few for sale this
year. Goliath was by far the fat
test and finest every way. and there
were father and mother and Ben and
Dan to feed and clothe and keep
warm. OF course Goliath must do
his part. He must be killed. Dayy's
fearful thought followed the big tur.
key to the city. 1t was big place,
he supposed. with many stores and
houses. and people and schools and
books. Just here it was that big
thought came into Davys head. 1t
took front seat there and wouldn't
leave.
The next day Davy went out where
the turkeys lay waiting to be packed.
Quickly he recognized Goliath. Dayy
took a piece of folded brown paper
from his pocket. With piece Of
string he fastened it around Goliath's
neck.
What you dom, Davy.o called
father from the barn.
Gust giving Goliath a letter to
take to the city" said Davy. .Its
all right, I've told mother. You can
read it. father, but please don't take
Il or"
Davy went slowly back to the
house. Wonderingly, father read the
letter. He didn't take it on. In
stead he added an extra knot to
Davy's three hard ones.
Three days later Goliath lay in the
great rooster in Grandma Burton's
CHEEKY kitchen. In the parlor were
all the Buttons. First, there was
Grandpa Burton, the little round, rosy,
bustling old butcher. Then there was
Grandma Burton, almost as round and
rosy. Then there was Papa Burton.
the little, plump. pink-cheeked, bust.
ling young butcher, and there was
Mamma Burton, herself as plump and
pink checked as a peach, there were
five plump. pink little Burtons. The
biggest little Burton was Just big
enough for his first real birthday
party with an iced cake and eight
pink candles. The littlest little Bur.
ton was too little yet for any name
except Baby. He crowed and kick.
ed In Mamma Burton's Ian. Mamma
Burton unfolded a piece of wrapping
paper. 1t was Davy's letter. Safe
and sound Goliath had brought it
straight to Grandpa Burton's butch.
er shop, and Grandpa Burton had
brought it straight home to Grandma
Burton.
Listen" said Mamma Burton. Then
she read.
Dear Man or Woman Who Buys NV
Turkey:
This is Goliath. He belongs to me.
We love each other very much. I've
taken good care of him ever since lie
was little. But this is hard year
for us farmers, and we've got to sell
him. shall be awful lonesome with.
out Goliath. So I'm writing this let.
ter 20 say won't you please, whoever
gets Goliath, send me story book
with pictures in it. can't do much
but read, and there's only mothers
Bible. Most any book will do, but
/ would like Robinson Crusoe," IL
(. 1t don't cost too much.
Respectfully yours,
DAVY MASON.
Bless his precious little heart"