That Gobbler
for Christmas
By CLARA DELAFIELD
Could
te Bird
■ AL, marm, I
might let you
E have the gob
They Had
¡p bier for Christ
Watched Grow
mas." said Si
las Hicks. “He'll be
a fine bird by then.
But I dunno. He's the only one I’ve
reared oat of that brood, and I'm
kinder attached to him."
However, he promised Mrs. Janie*
Anally to let her have the gobbler.
Silas Hicks was not a sentimental
man. He was a farmer, and In busi
ness for the money It brought him. He
had a brother John, who had gone to
the city and made money hand over
list, John was a crusty old bachelor
and largely devoid of the sense of
family obligations.
There had been a time. five years
before, when things went badly with
Silas. There was a heavy mortgage
to meet, the crops had been a failure,
and he had beet^ In danger of dispos
session. Besides, his wife was on her
sickbed, from which she was never to
arise.
Silas had gone In his despair to the
brother whom he had not seen tor
years. John had turned Mm down flat.
“Either left you the farm because
you played up to him. and kicked me
•ut Into the world." he said. “Now
Tve made my pile, you hare the nerve
to come to me for help. I don't see it.
Silas."
“My wife's sick,” pleaded Silas, “and
you've got more money than you know
what to do with."
“Oh, I can find a use for It." John
rejoined caustically. “Maybe if you'd
shown a little sympathy for me when
I was hoofing it on the sidewalks rd
have a little more for yon. Silas."
Silas went home. Somehow he man
aged to survive the crisis. But his
wife died, and be grew lonelier and
lonelier. If he had had a few thou
sand dollars he would have sold out
and gone south to live, somewhere
away from this bleak New England
coast. But he could just manage to
make both ends meet. Daily be cursed
his brother in his heart
He started.raising turkeys, and that
was a failure. Only the gobbler lived.
He used to watch the bird with in
terest The gobbler would come cluck
ing after him for crumbs. And it was
odd how it looked like John.
He began to call it John. It had a
queer way of putting Its head upon
one side and calling, as John used to
do when be was a boy. Gradually. to
old Silas' fancy, the gobbler became
an effigy of John. He hated it
He hated it and he was attached,
too. He made a sort of pet of the
gobbler. He wanted It to love him.
so far as a turkey gobbler Is capable
of love. Then, when Christmas came,
he was going to cut its throat very
slowly, bending its head back to see
the terror in its eyes. He wonld thus
have his revenge upon his brother.
•Yes, marm, John's thriving nicely
and putting on flesh," he told Mrs.
James. “Here becomes. John! John!”
Up came the big gobbler, put Its
head on one side and sarvejed Silas
to see If he had any bread crumbs.
“Isn’t he the cutest thing!" said
Mrs. James. “I don’t wonder you
can’t bear to let me have it, Mr.
Hicks."
“Oh, that’ll be ail right, marm," re
sponded Silas cheerily.
An elemental hatred for the gobbler
bad come to fill his heart. Christmas
was at hand. He pictured how, on the
morrow, he would grab the bird, he
would Insult it with all the turkey
abuse that he had picked up from it;
then it should die slowly, as he would
like John to die.
On Christmas morning he found a
letter from an unknown correspondent
in the city. Opening It, he read that
his brother John was dead.
John had left forty thousand dollars,
half of which was to go to Silas, “in
memory of our boyhood times together,
and in the hope that any ill feeling,
if it existed, has long ago been can
celed.”
Silas stared at the letter. His eyes
grew misty. He saw John again as t.
little boy upon the farm; his heart
went out to him across the years.
Gobble! Gobble! The big turkey
was standing In front of him, its head
on one side, one claw raised, begging
for crumbs.
“You great big faker, you!” bellowed
Silas.
The gobbler, looking a little alarmed,
retreated a step or two.
•
••••••
"Oh, Mr. Hicks, I’m willing to pay
for that turkey, but somehow I—I feel
I just can't eat him after seeing him
grow up from babyhood.”
“Wai, Mrs. James, I was kinder
feeling that way myself," said Silas
Hicks, scratching his head. “You see,
I’m selling out and going south, and I
was figuring on taking him along and
raising turkeys.”
(©, 1**1. Wertira Newspaper Union.)
MONDAY, DKCKMDKR ®4, I MB-
GRANTA PAM DAILY COURIER
PAGE FOUR
With Christmas Love
Came Understanding
KLL. girls, 1 have made It up
with Beatrice.”
Ann. "the
bsrd-boded" of the office.
yanked off her coat and hat
and placed them In the locker
that ranged across the end of the
room.
No one paid much attention to Ann
usually. She was of such an exptoelve
nature, and said such irresponsible
things, that alie was not taken seri
ously. But the break between Ann and
Beatrice had been of long standing
and had been common bed upon so
much by Anu that her announcement
caused the other girls to look op
questioning ly.
“That's a fact.” continued Ann.
“and I am so ashamed of my treatment
of tier this long time."
"How did It come about!“ asked
Sadie, assistant to the department
manager.
“Wall." exclaimed Ann. “I will have
to confess uiy beastly nature, before I
can tell you bow It happened. In a
spirit of spite 1 sent Beatrice a Christ
mas present, which no one but good
little Bea could ever have accepted
as anything but an Insult, it makes
no difference what It was. Today
noon I met her on the street and she
stopped me to thank me for the pres-
ent.
“ ’It was not the present so much,
Ann. that came by mall,' said she.
'What made me feel good was that
you had been thinking of me.' Then
she took bold of my hand to caress It
and said. 'It was not any kind of a
present that I wanted most from you.
Ann. but your love and companionship
and symputhy. I have been hungry for
you. Ann. and you had no right to
take yourself away from me. I give
you my love for Christmas— will you
give me yours?’ And little Ann. the
hard-boiled, cried right on the street.
What do you think of that, glrlsj”
"The day of miracles is not past, it
seems." commented one.
“And now do you know what?” This
from Ann. The girls waited expectant-
ly for further information from the
erratic one.
“Well, I always thought Christmas
was to get people to spend lots of
money to send things to other people
that they did not want." rattled off
Ann. “Now I have a new understand
ing of Christmas since my most loyal
friend has asked me only for my love
. . . and she sure Is going to get
it"—C. F. Wadsworth.
<©■ 1***. Western Newspaper Union.)
Ireland Hunts Wrens
Day After Christinas
N IRELAND Boxing Day (th« I
day after Christmas) is known
as St. Stephen's day. On this I
day there is practiced an old I
custom that has come down
through the ages and which Is called
"hunting the wren.”
A crowd of
grown boys with blackened faces and
dn-ssed In the most grotesque cos-1
fumes seek out a wren, which is th* I
emit Pest of nil birds In Ireland, and:
carrying It with them go from bouse
to house all over their particular part
of the country, asking, or rather sing
ing .1 request for a little help with th*
celebration which takes place In th* .
village that evening. There are sev
eral verses which they use. the fol
lowing lieing a sample of their kind:
The wren, the wren, the king of al)
birds,
St. Stephen's day. she was caught I d
the furze.
Although she Is little her family is
great.
So please try your pocket and give
us a trate .(treat)
Slnr holly, sing Ivy, slnw Ivy. sins
hotly.
Just a drop to drown melancholy,
And If you draw It of the best
I hope In Heaven your soul will rest
And If you draw It of the amali
It will not agree with the wren boys
st all.
And so much is the spirit of hospl
tallty and good will In evidence at
Christmas time that they very seldom
meet with a refusal and by evenlna
the pile of small silver pieces ha«
grown Into large enough proportions
to warrant a big celebration ut which
all tlie young folks In the district
make merry.—KfitheCne Edelman.
(©. 1923. Western N*wspap»r Union >
CHRISTMAS CAN3LE3
- It Is a plensnnt custom. when the
Christmas tree is lighted and its many
candles full to give ull the needed
clieer, to light a candle from its fires
and give the tidier randies <>n the
shelf and on the table a share In the
happy illutnimirlon.—<’. G. Huznrd.
(©. 1923. WHtem Newspaper Union i
THE OPTIMIST’S VIEW
The optimist reflects that the shop,
ping rush would be much more uncom
fortable If Christinas came on July
25.
IT TAKES COURAGE
The true diplomatist la one who can
»ay “Ju«t wliut 1 needed" while specu-
latina on his chances at the exchange
counter.
THE POSTMAN SETS THE PACE
There would be merriment enough
for all if everybody worked as hard
in distributing holiday cheer as tbs
posuuan.
His Christmas
Spent at Club
B, MARY GRAHAM BONNER
Lonesome Rich
Man Finds
F lap pines* in
Play
alen*
fasti-
ci ah.
quite
had
IM
aow. Everyone seemed to have other
things to do than to come to the club.
They bad talked, a number of them,
the last time many had been theca, of
the busy day* ahead, shopping, wrap
ping up Orlstmaa parvela, helping
their wives or thetr daughters er their
grandchildren in the gay plans for
Christman
Only he had no plans to mah*. He
gave bls employees, and a number of
others with whom he came In contact
money at Christ-
mas time, That
fulfilled kts
Christ ma* de
man da
Other years he
hadn’t felt It so
much as this year.
This year th*
loneliness seamed
lonelier than ever
before. Hla soli
tary condition sad-
dended him.
Well, he would
go back to bis
suite. He would
leave the e 1 u b.
Perhaps among
his own books, his
own things he
would not feel so
lonely. He would not dine at the dub;
he would hare some cheese and crack
ers and coffee at home. Hla excellent
valet could always prepare a little
supper for him.
Outside of the club hla chauffeur and
car were waiting.
He got in and sat down on the soft,
luxuriously upholstered cushions, and
the chauffeur closed the door, abutting
out the clear, cold Christmas time air
and the noise of the streets—the noise
of many voices of many people going
shopping, with the higher voices of
children rising every once in awhile
above the din.
His soul seemed to ache. ' He was
alone. Rich, comfortable, luxurious,
alone! No one wanted him, needed
him. eared for him. He had every
thing which money could buy; he had
enough money to buy everything hs
wanted.
No, not everything I He wanted love
and affection, he wanted to be a part
of all this going on outside the luxu
rious confinement of his car and that
he couldn’t buy. Mix with the crowds?
Yes, he could do that, but not as one
of them. Only a* a lonely man who
hod a fat bank aceount which didn’t
help tn the slightest.
And yet couldn't tt help? Suddenly
he had an inspiration.
He called
through the speaking tube to bl*
chauffeur. “I think.” he said. “I will
get out here and walk the rest of the
way home."
The chauffeur was surprised, but he
was too well-trained to show surprise
He got out before a large store
where in the window was a decorated
Christmas tree. He went Inside the
store. No longer did he feel so lonely
He, too. had a purpose In mind. He
was a part of all of this now.
Tinsel, candies, red colored paper,
ribbons, small toy*. decorations, oh.
bow much he bought His arms wen-
filled with bundles
just as were the
arms of other*. It
i!
was such fun to
carry bundles, too.
He bad never
known before the
joy of overcrowd fa
ed arm*.
Home he went,
carrying his be-
loved purchases
with him.
And
» .
then he aummoned
j*
the janitor to his
lonely suite, which
now seemed filled
with the Christ
mas cheer.
He
talked it all over
with him, the plana
for the tree, for
his own Santa Claus suit
He had given the janitor money be
fore, of course. This Um* he would
take part In the Christmas of the chU
dren of the janitor.
Christmas morning came.
Never
hod he arisen so early on a Christmas
morning. Dressing himself carefully,
be went downstairs. He had worked
until late the night before, decorating
the tree, but he was not tired.
Suddenly there was a cry. a cry of
joy such as he had never heard.
“Why, there!* Santa Claus! Dear,
dear Santa Claus."
The janitor’s children had always
been afraid of Mtn. but not so of Santa
Claus! He undid his pack, he took
gifts off the tree, and the children
climbed over him, kissed him. hugged
him. loved him. With what a splendid
gusto they loved him!
And the children begged Santa Clans
to stay for dinner. Curlons thing for
him to be doing! But he stayed, and
for the first time, almost since he had
been a child himself, he had a Christ
mas. a real Christmas, a Christmas
filled with love which had driven the
loneliness out I
0
How Four Old Maids
Have Real Christmas
HEY were a family of old mslda
— four tlitera. But they were
the jolllest, nicest old maids 1
ever knew. 1 always swore It.
•nd now I know it What do
you think they did for Christmas?
Did they have a tree for themselves
and exchange coetly preemua with
each other, and then eat a turkey with
dressing and plea, alone tu their
charming white dining room? Not a
bit of U. They know what Chriatmaa
was meant for. and they acted on the
knowing. Their friend* tell me they
bare done ft every year; but alnce I'm
only a new acquaintance, compara
tively, i couldn't know that.
They invite tn a doien children
who wouldn’t ordinarily have a Christ-
mas tree at all and give their present*
to them. And then thoae twelve, poor
little mite* alt down at the table In
the old molds’ charming white dining
room, and the old mold* themselves
serve them with turkey and all the
fixings. And they don't do It for chat«
tty either. YTiey do It because they
adore children, and making them hap
py la to them a treat You eee, from
thetr cradle«, these four old maid
slaters were blessed with the Christ
mas spirit, a spirit that lasts all the
year around when it Is genuine.
But why should I call them "old
maids?” That term Is In such disre
pute? They are four angels I And
knowing that, I am going to try my
luck, some time when I can get the
courage, and ask one of them, the
one I happen to be In love with, to
“have me." Perhaps If I make the
proposal within the Christmas season
she’ll remember she’* a Christmas ,
angel, and take me. Don’t laugh at
my audacity. Anything may happen
at Christmas time! For Christmas I*
a magical time. Even a child can tell
you that,—Ethel Cook Eliot.
A ppreciating the spirit
of cordiality and co-opera
tion that has marked its
business relationship with
members of the communi
ty during the year that is
passing, The California
Oregon Power Company
extends Christmas greet
ings and its most friendly
wishes for the year Nine
teen Twenty-Four.
<©. 1**1. Waalers Newapapsr Untoa.)
That Plum Pudding and
Some Twisted Mottoes
IOUISE loved Jokes. She caught
people with questions and puz
zled them with renundrums. So
, she had arranged a program
that centered about the Christ
mas plum pudding. When that came
npon the table each one was to put
in his thumb and pull out a plum In
the shape of a twisted motto; there
they were, all around the sides of the
platter.
Father was first, unfolding his plum
he read off the pit of It and, os If to
moderate the coming merriment, sold
“AH Is not laugh that titters.”
Then mother read hers: “It’s a
wrong turkey that has no turning."
As this did not apply to the bird that
had just disappeared, the self-satis
fied smile of the cook behind the door
did not tome off.
Then Aunt Mary: "A hitch In time
saves mine.” This reference to Bob's
trousers asserted his Independence of
suspenders, but caused hl* relative to
remind him that he was not as need
less of stitches as he thought, upon
which he replied that he could depend
upon that tailor who had advertised
“pants a dollars and a half a leg,
seats free."
Then Susan: “We never miss the
swatter till the flies go by.” This was
a fly paper upon a dead subject and
it was filed for future reference.
Bob’* plum was also laid on the
table after he had road: “A strolling
boy catches no horse." A sentimeat
that he was Inclined to think a little
too personal.
Louise had the last plum and de
clared; “All’s well that ends swelL”
Expressing the traveler’* satisfaction
with terra firma. less terror and more
firmer.
But the pudding was cooling and
that was no joke, so, as the tempera
ture fell, they fell to.—Christopher G.
Hazard.
(©. IMS. Wwtem ?fewBpap«r Union.)
A CHRISTMAS THOUGHT
The greater happiness of the Christ
mas season Is a direct result of the
greater participation of men and wo
men In the spirit of Christ. For then
weakness hns a power over strength;
and then the laughter In the eyes of
little children seems a better thing
than our own good; and then the tired
routine In the lives of those around u*
looks ont npon us through enigmatic
eyes, and we understand better, we
pity, we eense to condemn—we would
even ameliorate, we wonld show that
we see and understand—and so we
offer the dumb gift which mutely tells
what our words could never tell; end
then In our hearts, In our households,
In our little world, there Is Christmas
Joy nnd peace—earth’s highest happi
ness.—Rlstcr M. Fldes Shepperson In
Pittsburgh Dispatch.
THE GENUINE SPIRIT
The genuine holiday spirit consists
not only In wishing a merry Christ
mas, but In making one.
MOTHERS’ CHRISTMAS
<©, IStS. W»«t»ra Newvpaser Union.)
After receiving her gifts, mother’s
Christmas will he devoted largely to
washing an extra number of dishes.
WHEN HE WAS A BOY
NEVER TOO HIGH
What n big-hearted fellow old
Aunts Claus la He must have been a
newsboy.
It might be different with a lot of
things around Christmas, but the mla-
tletoe Is never too high.
PINE BOX COMPANY
LAND DEVELOPMENT PLAN
(Continued from Page One.)
Pass Irrigation district them. These (
lands are located in various part* of,
the district, and the prospective'
home-builder can meet his fancy a*
regards location,
lay of land, or:
other demand in picking out hl* |
farm. A particularly tine tract lies
just south of town, along both side*
of the Band Creek and Jerome Prai
rie regions and In the Allen Creek
basin. Included are some of the
farms that wero developed years
ago, but that have been out of pro
duction since they were purchased by
the Chicago band company 12 years
ago. The locations of the holding*
of this company by sections are a*
follows:
Township 36, Range 5 West, Sec-
tlon 29, 79.6 acres.
Township 86, Range S West, Sec-
tlon 30, 237.2 acres.
DRY SHIPLAP
FOB SALE
at
The Valley Lumber Co.
West F Street
Township 36, Range 5 Woit, Sec-
tlon 31, 138.7 »eres.
Township 86, Ramie
tlon 26, 131.3 acres.
Township 36, Range
tlon 32, 75.6 acres.
Township 3 6, flange
tion 33, 78.7 acres.
Township 86, Rango
tion 34, 312.3 acres.
Township 36, iRange
tion 35, 336.3 acres.
Township 36, Range
tlon 36, 194.7 acres.
Total lrrlbable acre*
6 West. Sec-
« West, Sec-
• West, Sec-
6 West, Bec-
«
West, Sec-
The Best Christmas
Gift
Let us equip your bathroom wtth our
modern, up-to-date porcelain finish
bathtub, wash stand and other bath
room requisites. Then there will bo
real cause tor rejoicing this Chriet-
mas and every Christmas thereafter.
6 West. 3ec-
1479.4.
W. R. RANNIE
417 G Street
Printing that please*—Courier.