Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-04-25
fro m ooyTC
TURKEY THAT
SURPRISED.

There were six Of the Rofe children
Georg:a. the Oldest. VAS sixteen: the
twins. Rex and Ruth, were fourteen;
Wallace was twelve. Lucia nine and
Gresory six snd half.
They enjoyed each other best Of all
They had formed themselves into 6
wonderful club. which they called the
S. s S. and only they and mother
knew tha, those magic letters stood for
Secret Surprising Six. The object OF
the club was 10 think up and perpetu-
ate lovely surprises on different peo-
pie whom they knew would appreciate
being surpr:se.-
Last year. jus, before Thanksgiving.
there was z meeting OF the S. S. S.
Georgia opened the meeting with lit
tie speech. II which she said: '-On hoi-
.days Ike Thanksgiving. when We sl
have so many extra good things we
ought 70 get up some wonderful sur
prises tor those who Go not have as
much SIS W. 90. Do any q the Sur
p.isers know q any sCch?'
Gregory said 'Hooray- and beat the
drum after the little speech: then Ruth
rose, and Wallace asked the stirreE Up
10 cease his applause.
Ruth said: Matte Brown told me
that her father had been sick and out
Of work for long time and that this
year they were not going 10 have any
thing different 4; Thanksgiving day
from what they have every day. |
think we ought 10 surprise them some
how
Il second the motion" said Lucia
IL We don't DO i IN some awtuly
funny way" said Rex. they will De
mad .o- the Browns sre awtu! proud
There isn't any money in the treas
ury." said Ruth. y DO not suppose v
have much allowance left for IL IS 50
near tie end Of the month. and We
won't sc; any I'll December. We VII!
want 81 ve &c; then FOR Christmas
anyhow. SO /, would lot be any use to
ask for 81 advance
The Surp-.ssrs confessed that they
hsd altogether just IS cents. but they
were willing 20 contribute that IL
viii buy peanuts, anyhow" said Wal
lace.
y move We contribute our weekly
tnest o. candy" said Rex.
- second the motion" said Lucia
Only instead ot letting papa buy u.
as he usually does" suggested Georgia,
Tets ask him 70 give Us the money.
and then We can buy materials and
make fudge and peanu, tany and cara.
mels. Il Will 10, cost 50 much. We
can make LOT out Of dollars worth
Of stuff"
Yes. and let me scraPe the pans"
said Gregory eagerly.
I've 6 pair OF outgrown shoes that
would Jus; ht Matte" said Ruth, and
some aannels."
But tha; isn't turkey" objected Lu-
Gle.
This !s what they finally decided TO
do. They made turkey. Aunt Mary
cut 8 pattern. and they made him out
Of cotton 1annel-s monstrous turkey.
sll plucked ready for the table, with
no head and slit IN bis breast he
was very lank and lean-aoth.ng. IN
fact. but g great big turkey shaped
baS-but be was hung IN state on the
portiere rod between tie dining room
and sitting room .or three days before
| Thanksgiving. and every one was n
y..ed 70 help stus hin. II was great
fun. The children brought piaythinss.
peanuts. popcorn. carefully wrapped.
and homemade candy II dainty boxes:
warm. out.rown undercloth!nG. shoes.
u.ttens. stockings; 81 went 10 help IN
the s.utRn. Of ihe turkey. Mother VI
interested and slipped In Jelly. dr!a
fruits and pickles. Fsthe. put in a1
envelope with enough money IN It for
{ turkey with 81! the eX!ngs. Finally
the turkey grew SO plump and fat that
be groaned when be was p-ked.
After dark Oh the eve o: Thanksgiv.
ing day the members Of the S. 8. 8.
carefully loaded the turkey on Wal.
Isce's big express wagon. They care
| fully oiled the wheels So that It would
not betray them. Then they dragged
the s,uged turkey half q mile 10 the
Brown cottage. Without 4 sound they
deposited Il Oh the stone step IN from
Of the wootshed door. They chose
| that because they saw that all the
| family were In the dining room. Then
they gave loud humping knock. and
all ran softly away. Up the road they
sll gathered behind 8 hedge. near
enough 10 hear the shouts OF surprise
from the Brown children as they drag
sed the monstrous turkey In. Then
they heard steps coming In their d!.
rect.ou. and they knew the Brown
boys were bunting for the ones who
had brought the turkey. They crowd
ed close up into the hedge. the wagon
| tipped up So that Il would not stand
out in the rad. and all kept very still.
They heard the footsteps 60 back to-
ward the house; then they peeked over
| the hedge. The shades were all up,
and they could see the happy faces the
Brown family had as they unstufed
the turkey.
'I think !, was the best surprise Of
all said Ruth gleefuuy.
~ second the motion" said Lucia.
and they all laughed.
Tire Turkey Dance.
All the turkeys gathered