The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-11-21
HANS
LONE TURKEY

was not to pass by the spruce that
day.
The troublesome turkey. rejoicing
that his pursuer had disappeared. now
uttered a triumphant gobble and walk
ed straight toward MIR. Roch.
Anton saw him coming and rose to
the occasion. He had always wanted
to shoot a wild turkey, but he had
never seen one and here was his OPP
portunity. The Roch family would
feast pom wild turkey on Thanksgiv-
ing day.
He fired the last charge in his gun
and missed. \ bunch OF bronze tail
down again. Then the indignant tur-
key charged him turiously.
Anton Roch was small and thin and
Wiry. and h turkey only administer
ed one vicious nip at his leg before
Mr.. Roch had worned himself into
the shadow OF the spruce tree, which
stood like a desert island in the midst
of its leafless, high limbed compan-
ions.
AS he settled himself comfortably
he nearly fell off his perch on to the
ground. His gun Gathered downward.
Staring at him across another
branch was the rubicund visase of his
neighbor. Hans Trinkel.
"Himmel!" they muttered in unison.
Anton was the first to recover himself.
SO" He lifted inquiring brows.
You sit in my tree like a big fat owl.
eh? For what"
Hans pointed a fat foretinger down
at the watchful turkey below.
Him"
Antcn's features relaxed in a grin.
He chased you too"
Hans shook his head. II chased
him. he said %truthfully. He got out
of my gate n led me a pretty chase
through der woods into Your stuhhle
field n so here. My Katrina makes
l should kill him for Thanksgiving
day. but he is der only one | have
got"
You most CAME near not having
him., returned Anton grimly. IF I'd
had n more cartridge He shook
his head Significantly.
Before Hans could reply there came
footsteps passing slowly over the dried
leaves on the ground. They paused
near the spruce trees. and the sentinel
turkey crouched low against the
ground. For the moment he lost his
agsressiveness.
Both farmers stared with indignant
eyes at what was taking place within
their range OF vision.
Katrina Trinkel was standing there
With young Otto Roch. and "a hand
some couple they made, too. Katrina
n Otto tall and dark and grave
looking. Otto slipped an arm around
katrlna's slim waist and kissed her
willing lips.
How can I make Your father think
Well OF me. Katrina. when he and my
father are such bitter enemies?"
You never cam" sized Katrina.
We can never be married, Otto, dear.
for the fathers would never consent.
and for n could not marry without
it,
1T would be best not" agreed Otto
sadly. But it is hard on us"
Yes. and. Otto, we should part
now because We cannot be lovers any
longer now that We have decided il
is useless to ask their consent"
Otto 0 her into his strong arms.
and the two old men up in the tree
heard her CRYING softly.
hans and Anton glared at each 9TH
er across the branch. Each n
planned the other for being a hard
hearted parent, deaf to the happiness
or these Young things. Simultaneous
~ their hardness melted beneath this
sun Of young love that had slanted a
warm beam in their direction. Per
maps 1T was the sound of Katrina's
sobs. Perhaps it was the recollection
o. the tender days Of their W love
making under other skies.
Hem" coughed Hans loudly.
ono cried Anton explosively.
The startled pair looked up at tho
tree to see the sheepish countenances
OF their respective parents peeriny
from the greenery like two benevolent
kriss Kringles.
At that moment the turkey bristled
1orth and uttered a militant note of
challenge. u
Katrina and her lover took In he
situation at a glance, and it is to their
credit that they did not smile AT the
sight Of the two belligerents freed nv
a turkey. ~
You may embrace her, Otto" an.
nounced Hans kindly.
And you have my approval also"
added Anton. not to be outdone in
generosity. AZ
AND der turkey shall be for a he.
trothal feast!" said Hans.
Let us have it on THANKSGIVING
day. father" suggested Otto as he
skillfully drove the turkey away from
the tree and toward home.
mere are many things to he
trina. NHpS Nd
And the two old men walking home-
ward. shoulder to shoulder, knew that
the renewal Of their broken FRIENDSHIP
was one of the things Katrina meant,