Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1917-01-05

sorrowfully. "What l feel worse
about is that I'll have to disappoint
some good people TO whom l promised
a rare turkey treat the coming holi-
day" and Rex told the story entire.
II say" observed Marsh, his face
expressing some wOnderment and con-
siderable interest dyou're about the
most honest man and the best man l
ever met. Going to give those poor
people a treat, Ell? Well, you shall
I've a proposition TO make to you, but
first / want you to make out your bill"
Not ever" insisted Rex strenuously.
1--WE learned enough about turkeys by
bringing up yours, to start in raising
some myself. Well, l suppose you want
to get them loaded up for homer"
my daughter Nella will be mighty
glad to see them back, can tell yCu,"
said Marsh. "They were her special
pets. She's a smart girl at figures.
I'll give her the proposition to calcu-
late and send you check. Oh, yes, an
other thing: You promised ten people
turkeys? And ten more if you had
the birds? I'll send you over ten of
another breed-just as good eating as
these, in fact, better, / think, for
these fancy fowls run to finery, rather
than flavor"
1t was the next day about noon when
a light farm wagon drove up to the
Parsons place. Rex was just start
ing for town and was glad that he
wore his best clothes, for the prettiest,
most attractive young maiden he had
ever laid his eyes on alighted with
graceful spring and stood awaiting his
coming up.
I'm sure you are Mr.. Parsons" she
said brightly. Il am Mr.. Marsh's
daughter. He was away this morning
and asked me to bring over the tur-
keys he promised"
"Why," observed Rex, as he glanced
into the coop in the wagon box,
there's more than ten-there's fully
! twenty"
"Oh, yes, with my contribution" re-
sponded Miss Nella. Father told me
all about your splendid plan. He said
you were one grand man and think
so, too" added Nella, with heighten-
| ing color. Il want a share in your
good work, so I've brought some Of
my own fowls to make your holiday
| gifts go all the way around"
The turkeys were removed from the
coop to the grazing patch and Miss
Marsh assisted in the transfer in a
busy, helpful way that unclaimed
the admiration of Rex. Her blooming
health, her volatile chatter, her radiant
smile each moment increased his in
| terest in her.
Mrs. Parsons came out and became
acquainted with Nella and invited her
! in to have cup of tea. The young
lady drove Rex as far as the village.
He could almost have kissed her as she
leaned from the high drivers seat to
| speak a parting word.
eff you wouldn't mind, that is,
wouldn't" and she laughed brightly
''if l wouldn't be in your way I'd have
father come over with me Saturday
when you're going to distribute those
| turkeys and donate a barrel of our
cranberries to go with the gifts. I'd
like to do some good in the world,
you see," she supplemented naively.
you've done me some good, l can
! tell you that" declared Rex with hon
est enthusiasm-"you and your father,
both. You are rare people and you
never did a better thing than give
these poor people the good time you're
going to-"
Then he waved his lovely visitor a
CHEEKY adieu and thought of her and
dreamed of her all the rest of that
week.
Pretty Nella entered into the distri-
button of the turkeys with Zest and
delight. Nella and her father stayed
to supper at the Parsons home. Re-
ciprocal hospitality was rendered, ac-
cepted, and within a month visits be-
tween the two homes was Il routine
event.
ooh, those lucky turkeys" softly
insnuated Nella, after a proposal.
"And, oh, lucky me-" rejOined Rex
Parsons, fervently.
Mr.. RattIesnake's Habits.