Morris tribune., 1919-04-25
A Turkey
Dinner
Copyright. 1918. Western Newspaper Union.)
By oTTLIA FRANCES PFEIFFER

questioned the gentle looking occupant
of two rooms back of those where
Mrs. Mason and husband and their
daughter lived. Many time the Ma
sons had noticed the poorly dressed,
shy and retiring Mrs. Blair, as she was
called. Her appearance betokened
poverty and the lines of care in her
wan face indicated some consuming
! sorrow. They were warm hearted peo-
pie, the MasOns, 0nd had never failed
to speak pleasantly to their neighbor
and wished she was a trife more
! friendly.
Mrs. Blair worked all day and half
the night sewing for a cheap sweat
shop. She had a child, little boy six
,, years old, who was an invalid There
was something the matter with little
Benny's lower limbs and he lay most
Of the time on a cot.
Come in, and welcome" invited
Mrs. Mason heartily and ushered her
neighbOr into room as sparsely fur
nished as her own.
Il am going to ask q great favor of
you, Mrs. Mason" spoke the timid and
hesitating guest. my poor boy, the
doctor says, can be made we'll and
! walk if money can be provided for
long course of treatment. | have man
aged to save up a few dollars, sufti-
Gent to take me to my Old home in
the East. I have determined to go to
my father and throw myself and child
upon his mercy"
Surely your own father would not
disown his kim said Mrs. Mason.
ut was my fault, he decided, when
married." explained Mrs. Blair sadly.
At least he said he would never re-
ceive US into his home. My husband
died. I have struggled on alone for
two years. would not give up the
battle even now, only for my child's
sake. am going to appeal to my
father. I cannOt take little Benny
with me. have not the money to do
so, and he might not be able to stand
the strain and fatigue of the journey.
Then again my appeal may be in
vain," and Mrs. Blair sighed drearily.
Let US hope for the best, dear"
"Can we help you in any way?
II wish to leave little Benny for
week at the most with some one, and
would feel that he was in safe kind
~ hands should you consent to take
charge of him." said Mrs. Blair. 81
will pay you for your care"
mot that. He is welcome to our
hal
loving the dear, afflicted childl, Yes,
indeed, we will take care Of him and
glad to show that little kindness to a
good woman in trouble" ..
So it was arranged and the cot was
moved into the Mason apartment next
morning. Mrs. Blair left little pack
age with Mrs. Mason. 1T Is Benny's
"and had promised him a present.
Here are only few poor toys, but
hope it will content him."
It was after his mother was gone
that Benny made the coming birthday
q constant theme. Somewhere he had
get picture showing a family group
at festive meal. A great turkey
was the principal feature.
THAT'S what I want for my births
day." the little fellow insisted. "Mam-
ma promised that some day we'd have,
turkey and please can't you get one,
even if it's tiny fellow, just for this
onee?"
declared it's heartbreaking, that
poor little fellow with his one wish,"
said honest John Mason to his wife.
"But a war time turkey means for
tune and you must try and get it out
Of his mind"
Mason was painter and paper
hanger and trade was dull. By
strange coincidence the next day his
task was decorating a restaurant.
Among the PAPER mache chops and
fowls exhibited in the show window
were several counterfeit presentments
life size, and some of these the pro-
prietor of the place threw aside. It
was with Frightening eyes and an in
spring plan in his mind that Mason
asked for one of the discarded imita.
ton turkeys. At distance it was
noble looking specimen, Drowned to a
turn and seeming at bursting point
with inside richness.
And upon his birthday little Benny
On his cot clapped his hands with de-
light as he viewed on the table a per-
feet copy Of the turkey in the picture.
One side Of the papier mache fowl
was turned away from him. 1t had
been cut open, a small roasted chicken
inserted, apparently the carving done
from the turkey, and little Benny
Toasted and then lay back content
over his first turkey dinner.
Mrs. Blair returned and with her
was her father, forgiving and eager to
take to his heart daughter and grand
son. He was a man of wealth and
when told of the turkey episode he
asked to be given the mock fowl, ito
remember your grand goodness of
heart" he told Mason.