The guardian., 1940-11-23

think will make good Thanksgiving
company"
It was a full fifteen miles to the
stores at Clearwater that Pa Hub
bell had in mind, and though he
started fairly early, and had a good
truck, it was well toward noon
when he slowed up and began to
study the store fronts he was pass
ing. At length he stopped before
one.
"Fine big show of everything ex-
cept turkeys" he thought, San they
seem sca'se. Guess mebbe the own
er will be glad to buy mine"
He swung his truck to the curb,
clambered to the sidewalk and went
inside. The store was well filed
with customers and he went forward
and began to look over some boxes
of oranges and grapefruit marked
From Owners Grove"
"Fine's I ever seen," he thought
admiringly. THAT owner must have
grown up farmer an fruit-grower,
sure. Must take home a dozen of
these for ma" -
The talk of the customers was
coming to him from all sides and he
listened interestedly.
why, you seem to know all about
turkeys, SIR" he heard one woman
say.
II ought to-" laughed a voice
which made Pa Hubbell start and
crane his neck. 81 was brought up
on farm and learned to know tur-
keys from the egg to the Thanks
giving table. Why, l almost believe
l could look at turkey and tell
just how long it took to grow and
what it fed on. But I'm sorry I've
such a poor stock to show you,
madam, wish l had one of the
birds my old father used to-"
A shaggy gray head suddenly
loomed up beside the customer.
"I've brought flock of 'em, son."
Pa Hubbell announced grimly. "Just
tell the lady to wait till I bring 'em
in"
He started toward the door, but be-
fore he reached it a hand was on
his shoulder.
Father" a voice said huskily.
"I-I didn't know--I thought went
back to the place and-is mother"
''We sold an moved down here"
briefly, land your ma is alive an
well. No, you needn't say word,
son. Tomorrow's Thanksgiving an
we don't want any old sores opened.
Your ma told me to bring out some
body to eat with us an I'll take you.
Now help me with the turkeys an
then ask your boss to let you off
till day after tomorrow, when I'll
bring you back"
The son laughed shakily, his hand
slipping caressingly across the 9TH
er's shoulders.
81 have no boss" he said. "You
don't understand, father. I'm not
dancing clogs now, nor drinking. I
quit that more than ten years ago.
l just couldn't keep it up, remem-
bering all you and mother had
taught me. Then l tried half a dozen
other things and went broke on them
all At last l settled down to some
thing l knew-something you had
taught me-eggs, poultry, beef, NUT
ton, farm produce, fruits and the
like, and I've made good"
Pa Hubbell's mouth opened and
shut and great light came into his
eyes. But all he said was, Mall
be glad. Of course you'll go right
off,"
"Of course. I'll speak to the chief
clerk about few matters, and then
But I'm glad you have a truck,
father, large enough to hold the
whole bunch"
"The what?" looking bewildered
"All of us. But l forgot. l sup.
pose you don't know there are seven
of US, wife, children and myself
The oldest boy is twelve, and named
after you. Then there are girls oi
eleven and ten, and the younger
boys. We live in rooms over the
store"
Pa Hubbell lost command of him.
self.
Five children-for Thanksgiv.
ingl" he shouted. can one of 'em
boy twelve years old!"
Then he whirled to the wagon.
Come, help me out with these
quickl" he cried. "Then take me
right upstairs to see 'em. Five
What will ma say?" -
Imitation of Weathered