Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1912-12-20
Elizabeth Rice Carpenter. in the
New York Herald

Everybody knows it's true-at least
Almost everybody. But surly old Pc
ter iruF had been down in the village
an the evening. celebrating Christmas
eve. His stein had been filled and
emptied amy number of times, so he
didn't know anything for sure. and
didn't give Il hang anyway.
IL was getting on toward midnight
Whep Peter finally united poor. weary
BetsN twho was blind in one eve) and
started at Il breakneck pace through
inc gray mistS owe the flats to the
farm. Far. far away i'm the heavens
the stars eyes twinkled knowingly. The
man IN the moon looked down with a
ely smile. But Peter didn't notice these
strange facts. for he was looking
stralght ahead Gas straight as he could
under the circumstances along the
ROAD, thrashing old BETSY all the way
ana forgetting that it was Christmas
eve. the time OF all other times when
one should be gentle INC kind to ones
ing her time. and the man in the moon
and the stars smiled on.
AZ last they reached the old ba1n-
YARD. As Peter embarrassed BETSY
with no gentle hand and led her into
the stable she ooked around ex%pectant-
~; Yes, sure enough, IN animals were
al! VIDE awake and waiting-it was
wlthin a minute of midnight! On the
perch sat the six leghorn hens in the
mango stood Muggins, the dog. Bet
sys best friend and companion i'm sor-
row. while from the loft above peered
Two yellow eyes. These belonged to
Polly. the cat.
Pete reached for the halter and tied
1t good and tight about Betsy's neck.
JUST as he did this the clock on the
o!d church tower down in the village
cnimed ~. Peter. OF course, didn't
Know ms, but the animals did.
Ihen Betsy slowly turned. neighed
loudly. made a profound courtesy to
the animals, and spoke in a clear deep
voice: N
Merry Christmas. c%omrades."
lnst9ntiN there was Il connection.
The cat sprang from the loft with a
loud meow. Merry Christmas. Betsy"
The Cog jumped about wagging his
1t off. wig
Merry Christmas. old pal. now do
you II yourself this year? NlIyen the
ieghorn Mapped n tapped their
WIVES n cackled as oud as. they
mast"
Peter started back. His hair rose SO
nlgh on the back of his head that his
little cap fell off. He had never ey-
perlenced anything quite like this. No.
not even after the jolliest evenins
spent at the tavern. And yet. of course
~ was Just a sort of dream. His head
Jeit dizzy anyway. Sure it was a
cream. for animals don't talk. Never
tneiess he reached rather hastily foy
ms cap. II don't guess I stay in this
old Darn so long!' he muttered. But
3ust as he O S to his feet and was
turning to leave the stall he enS,,,,nt-
cred Setsy's one fastened upon
him. 1po4
Pete Gruff,'' said Betsy severely.
loose the halter that 1 may lie down'.:
Ach Himmel, vass is!' cried Peter
In q terrified voice.
You may well say 'vass iss.." an
sWered RctsN in a whitening tone. still
nxlng him with her one v ..Old
reprobate that you are. will you loose
Yah, yah.' answered PETER in .
making voice. He did as ne was hid
then stood trembling very much in thc
corner of the stall.
And now" continued Betsy, take a
piece OF advice from .onc who knows
Don't knock me about any more. Don.t
hurry and thrash me up hill. Don't
s as you often do. to give me !,
drink when I'm tired and fan1ishins.
haven't l been Il faithful old mare?
Haven't | plougfed your fields. raked
your hay, gathered it into the barn and
takeE you n your frau to church Of
a SuEday?:.
Yah. yah, YAH" repeated Pete. in
a q~uavering voice.
Well, then. TAX warning before i.
Is too late. And another thing Peter,
you'd b~etter-leave off drinking beer
Sec what it's bringing you to! Here