Lower coast gazette., 1913-10-11
Ten Turkeys

eleven fat turkeys" said Tack,
surveying the brood with satisfaction,
"Three dollars apiece for them when
we get them to town. And we'll
leave one out and have-a regular
old-fashioned Eastern Christmas din
ner."
"Wish l was back East" sighed the
younger boy, Skating and coast
ing"
eyes," said Jack. "But out here
in California, Ted, you don't have to
cut wood, and milk, and drive team
till your feet and hands are almost
frozen. Mother,"-and he turned to
the woman who was standing in the
open doorway behind him,-"do you
wish you were back?"
Mrs. Nash looked at the distant
snow-white peaks, gloriously lighted
by the sunset.
"Not often" she answered. u don't
want ever to be nearer to snow than
I am now"
"The rains coming nearer, any
way, = said Jack, looking at the clouds.
"If it doesn't come down too hard,
I'll 90 to town tomorrow and see
about selling the turkeys"
The boys awoke the next morning
to see the steady pour which rejoices'
the heart Of the California farmer.
What if the river should rise
fast?" suggested Mrs. Nash, as Jack
and Ted made ready for their trip.
ooh, there's no danger Of our not
being able to cross" replied Jack; and
a few minutes later he and Ted, wear
ing old rubber coats. trotted away
IN the two ponies, which were the
only farm horses on the little ranch.
Late in the afternoon, a wagon APP
preached the house, and Mrs. Nash
recognized in the driver her landlord,
Mr.. Brady.
"Well, the rents all ready for him,
thank goodness" she said to Polly
and Ruth as she opened the door.
AS Mr.. Brady walked up the path,
the two girls soberly regarded a small
bow who sat in the wagon holding an
umbrella.
Hadn't the little boy better come
in " asked Mrs. Nash.
"No ma'am. 'Tain't raining hard
just now. S'pose you're all ready for
me-"
Mrs. Nash took a small roll Of bills
from the table drawer.
"Not quite" Brady said, counting
them. "Here's only the old rent"
II don't understand" said Mrs.
Nash.
"Last time Brown was up my way,
/ sent word to you I'd want to be paid
right up to the first of December,
instead Of November. No use you
keeping a month behind"
ale didn't tell me-" answered Mrs.
Nash. with a sinking at her heart.
"Well, it'll be fifteen dollars more"
"But, Mr.. Brady, this is all the
money l have"
"You might put in something else.
There's them turkeys; might take
them. Hate to bother with such truck,
though, when I'd ought to have cash"
give of them will make up what
owe you," ventured Mrs. Nash.
"Jack says they're worth three dol
lars apiece"
"Jack's smart. Perhaps Jacks
smart enough to find another place
for you as good as this. I'll allow
YOU a dollar and a half apiece tot
them turkeys, and take ten Of EN-.
"You're driving a hard bargain,
Mr.. Bradby," said Mrs. Nash, but ne
made no answer; and at her bidding
the little girls went with sad faces
to assist in catching the turkeys.
"Lively, now! It's going to ram
hard again by all the signs. Wouldn't
have brung Johnny out If ID known
the weather was going to break up
So"
Polly and Ruth cried aloud as the
old man drove off with the ten tur-
keys tied in the bottom Of his wag-
on.
Sand Christmas coming!" sobbed
Polly.
Continued on Page Four.)