The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-12-18
The Donigan Turkey

DeCennDeT Df1ngS DdCh neuOTleS VI
my early cares and fatigues in West
MOSCOW and trouble that had more
than one key. but thru the haunts of
care the smile remains in my life
when | think of the Donigan turkey.
Twas Christmas week the last year
A. +. Donigan was postmaster In
Bingham. There had been no snow.
The clear air and sunlight had given
Moscow hills warm breast. The
hens and turkeys were in the door
yard. The 35 pound gobbler, one of
the proudest Birds in the state was
strutting by their side. My dog gave
me warning that some one was ap-
preaching. Hastily taking off my
apron I opened the door and my eyes
were gladdened by the sight of Doni-
gan admiring my flock. He wanted
small spring turkey. but all my spring
turkeys were engaged and the small
lest one weighted IL pounds. Pick
ing UP an August turkey l held 1t up
to him saying this one I'll call eight
pounds, 40c a pound" He thought
perhaps l better weigh it. Wishing
to please him, the turkey weighed Sk
pounds. l smiled and whispered.
thought so too. Taking string
from his pocket he tied the turkeys
legs, put her In the back of the wagon
and drove Off 1t was about noon
when I beheld Donigan coming over
the hin again. 1 didn't stop to doll
up, I was Johnny on the spot" in
terested in all his troubles. when he
told me the string had broken and the
turkey had got away. He had been
i hmm / m
three hours. He guessed he had lost
her all right for one of the Gates girls
told him she hadn't see 1t, but wished
she could set her eyes on it. l sold
| him another one and had forgotten all
about 1t when the door opened and
ssome one stood there with a turkey
fin%his arms Don't want to buy a
turkey do you" mo I guess not, got
about all I can do now, $500 worth
got to be in Bingham by tomorrow
noon" who's going to have them
Alton Carl, Irving Moore, Preble &
Robinson, two boxes to Skowhegan
market and-why don't you keep her
yourself''-"only one and my wife
don't want to bother" What do you
ask for her $3.50. In that moment
saw my way clear. Is she poor? He
passed her to me and | lifted her UP
and down several times and guessed
she weighed about 6A. not as heavy
as mine. / handed him the $3.50 and
he went home smiling.
A few weeks previous to this Chas
o. Small of Madison had shown me
great courtesy and wouldn't accept
anything for it. Here was my chance
| would send him that turkey, OF
course 1t was not as large as mine
but | could fill up the box with big
red apples and celery and the thought
pleased me and all through the long
night l worked with CHEEKY heart
The next day at IL o'clock my pretty
flock was in Bingham village. Soon
after Christmas l received beautiful
letter from Mr., and Mrs. Small saying
| it was fine bird and how much they
appreciaten iB how wonderful 1t was
that should remember the courtesy
The though game to me-now 1 can
rest Tor III 1ile and pay seme of my
debts. III first debt / thought OF
was $780, owed for threshng.
drove over to- pay him but he was
away from, home that day so l hand
ed his wifeSt the money saying tell
| him l thank him and am sorry he
had to wait SO long" His wife
smiled and handed me back the
money saying you paid me that bill
the day he took the turkey, over-that
was your turkey, the one that got
away from Donigan." done re-
member laughing for didn't see the
joke. But all the way home l was
whispering to myself $500 for tur-
keys, Acc Id. Sold Bobby 2, paid
Donigan $780, sold Preble and Rob-
inson Is lbs. that go away, sent IL
to Irving Moore by express at 40c a
dozen, bought zone for the sum OF
$3.50; sent it. TO Weymouth's market
in Skowhegan-let's see 75c-$75.00
that weighed $3.50 a h., less than
mine at 40c piece.
Some one up to Deadwater told the
story to my husband and when he
came home he wanted to knew il I
had remembered to pay Donigan for
the turkey. Sincere and honest |
answered him l had. but I guess he
better send it to Esq. Small for /
couldn't do the sum.
| r. A. BLACKWELL,