The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1909-06-12

I've been hunting for you. That was a great rtm-
pus you made at Finch & Richards The whole towns
talking about it.
Yes, answered Homer again, and he blushed scarlet
Iaklng your turkeys homer"
Homer nodded
I've come to see if we can keep them in town few
days longer" -"
The boy shook his head vigorously "Idont want
any more turkey shows"
your while
mol" said Homer, sturdily
Let us go into the station and talk it over"
On Thanksgiving afternoon the Colonial Theater the
best vaudeville house in the city, held throne that had
dned we'll and happy enough to anprecae AM, sort
OF tun The chldren-hundreds of thea--shrieked with
delight over every act. The women laughed the men
aPplauded with great hearty handclaps A little buzz
OF excitement went round the house when at the end
OF the fourth turn two boys instead Of setting no the
regulation big red number displayed brand-new card
It read: Extra Number-Homer Tidd and his Per-
forming Turkeys" shout of delighted anticipation
went up from the audience Every paper in town had
MADE spectacular story of the ruin at Finch Rich
ards Nothing could have been splendid surprise
Everybody broke into applause-everybody EXCEPT one
little woman who sat in the front row of the orchestra
Her face was pale her hands csped and uncasped each
herself ~
The curtain rolled up The stage was set for real
straw, an old pump leaned over in one corner. hav
tumbled untidily from barn-loft coon with a hen
and chickens stood by the fence From her stall stared
whe-faced COW; her eyes bined at the glare Of the
1ootlights ne orchestra struck I'D merry tune the
COW uttered astonished moo then in walked sturdy
lad with fine broad shoulders red hair and freclIes
his boots dumped, his blue overalls were faded his
sweater had once been red At his heels stepped six
splendid turkeys straight in line every with its eyes
on the master Homer never knew how he did it. Two
minutes earlier he had said the manager desperately:
IL cut an run right off set eyes on folks
mothers eyes Hers Vas the ony faee bs s s IN ms
great audience. Perhaps it the magnificent aporb
OF the turkeys that inspired him. They stepped sereney
as II walking out on gorgeously lighted stage was an
everyday event in their lives Anyhow Homer threw
up his head and led the turkey march round and round
past the tootghts till the shout Of applause dwndled
INTO silence The boy threw back his head and snapped
ms hngers he turkeys rereated to form in line at the
back of the stage
plump hen Gettysburg stepped to the center of the
stage How many kernels of corn have | thrown
you, Getty?" he asked.
he turkey turned to count them, with her head cooked
refiecvely on one side Then she scratched her foot
One, two, three, four fvel"
Right Now you may eat Them Getty"
gettysburg wore her new-won aurels with an excel
lent grace She jumped through of hoops; slid
skates she stepped from stool to chair from chair to
table IN perfect time with Honers whistle and low
strain OF melody from the orchestra She danced =
stately jig on the table, then, with satisfied cluck
descended the other side to the floor Amanda Ann
Mehitable Nancy and Farragut achieved their ruphs
In slow dance made up of dignihed hops and mazv
turns They stood in decorous line awaiting the re-
turn OF their master, for Homer had dashed suddenly
from the stage He reappeared, holding his head m
proudly Now he wore the blue uniform and iaunty can
OF soldier boy; gun leaned on his shoulder.
he s, orchestra put all its vgor patriotism and wind
SIDE when they heard his whistle wheeled the turkey
regiment ready to keep step, to fall in line to march
and eountermarch Only feathered soldier fell II
was Danl Webster. At bang from Homers rife he
dropped stiff and stark From children here and there
IN the audience cry of horror They turned to
ask in frightened whispers if the turkey was truly
shooted As # to answer the question: Dan'l feapcd
to his feet Homer pulled Stars and Stripes from his
pocket and waved enthusiastically then the orchestra
dashed into ankee Doodle" 1t awoke some patriotic
spirit IN the soul Of Dan Webster He left his master,
and putting himself to his stateest proportions stalked
70 the footghts to utter one glorious soulstirrnp COB
Die he curtain fell but the applause went on and on
and on! AT last, out again across the stage came
Homer, waving Old Glory" Danl Webster Gettys
burg Amanda Ann, Nancy Mehitabls, and Farragut
followed in trumphal march Homers eyes were bent
past the fooghs searching for the face of one little
woman lhs time the face was one radiant flush and
her hands were adding their share the deafening an
plause. ~
Homer, boy" she said fondy This time she smoke
aloud but nobody heard it. An encore for the Ftra
Turn was 50 vociferous, it almost shook the plaster