The Washington herald., 1915-11-24
DAILY SHORT STORY

| because they were twenty miles from
the nearest town and there was no
direct means of communication save
| through their neighbor. Lin Dowd.
fve miles away. she had to administer
the simple remedies at her command
until she could devise some way OF
getting word to the doctor.
Presently Dick was muttering rest
lessly in the little bedroom while Hes
ter picked up his gun and went quick
ly up into the woods behind the cabin.
II she could only make Lin Dowd
hear the report of the gun he might
/ suspect trouble and come to her aid.
Once in the dim aisles of the pines
she started a wild turkey which fut-
tered up with a raucous squawE.
There is our Thanksgiving dinner"
cried Hester. What an idiot am to
think that one can't be happy and
thankful anywhere in the world! Why.
II Dick were only well again / would
be the most delighted woman in the
universe. But We will have 4 Thanks
giving dinner in spite OF you!' she
turned and shook her fist at the Horn
of Plenty below. Il will make some
mincemeat-squirrel will help some.
although l hate to kill the darlings
made will be delicious, Why didn't I
think OF 1t before instead OF grumb-
ling? I'm afraid Dick has noticed
my downheartedness. Well I won't
give away again"
With this resolution Hester lifted
the gun and fired several shots in
the direction of the Dowd place. She
thought she heard a signalling shot
in return. and. satisfied that help
would soon be on the way. she went
back to the cabin and discovered that
Dick was sleeping quietly.
1t was a lonely day for her. for
Dick slept far into the afternoon. She
completed her plans for Thanksgiving
Day, and while she stood in the door
yard watching the trail along which
she expected to see Lin Dowd's mules
come galIoping at any instant,
great plan took form in her mind.
IF I could only blow the old Horn
of Plenty to bits. Dick would admit
defeat and go home with me- There
he could have some chance in fathers
office and I would work. too. IL neces-
sary. This suspense is killing him"
She bit her lip thoughtfully as she
, went down the hillside to the mine.
She was familiar with the workings
and had often helped Dick. holding
the hand drill and fetching and carry
, ing for him faithfully.
She opened the door Of the tool shed
and rolled a key of gunpowder into
the mouth of the tunnel Then she
inserted a fuse into the opening and
carried the length to large rock
half way up the slope.
There, you greedy old Horn of
Plenty You've swallowed all our
hopes and our money. When you have
vanished, perhaps we can begin over
again somewhere else"'
Hester did not light her fuse then.
nor for several days, because Dick re-
quired all her attention Lin Dowd
evidently had not heard her call for
help and she was compelled to do the
best she could alone and unaided.
On Thanksgiving morning Dick was
much better. He said he felt as strong
as a lion and would get up and eat
some OF the toothsome viands whose
odors filled the cabin with reminders
of Thanksgiving days In New Eng
land. Hester had actually shot and
killed a wild turkey and she was
| 'ubiIant over her skill. The turkey
was roasting in the oven now while
Hester put the finishing touches to
her timed vegetables and the pump
kin pies she had made.
II suppose you covered the dyna-
mite, HesterT' asked Dick suddenly.
Il forgot dear" she replied an