November 3, 2023 • 21 mins
"Thanksgiving Stories: A Feast for the Ears" is a captivating collection of short stories that celebrates the spirit of Thanksgiving in all its flavors. Each story in this anthology serves as a delectable dish, offering a unique and heartwarming perspective on this cherished holiday. From tales of family reunions and culinary adventures to unexpected encounters and acts of gratitude, these stories take you on a journey through the rich tapestry of Thanksgiving traditions and emotions. Whether you're a seasoned Thanksgiving enthusiast or a newcomer to the holiday, "Thanksgiving Stories: A Feast for the Ears" is a literary feast that will leave your heart warmed and your soul nourished, reminding us all of the power of gratitude and togetherness during this special time of year.
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
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(00:00):
Section three of Good Cheer Stories EveryChild Should Know. This is a LibriVox
recording. All LibriVox recordings were inthe public domain. For more information or
to volunteer, please visit LibriVox dotorg. Recording by Crystal Rogers. Good
Cheer Stories Every Child Should Know byAsa Don Dickinson. Beetle Ring's Thanksgiving mascot
(00:23):
by Sheldon C. Stoddard. BeadleRing had the reputation of being the toughest
lumber camp on the river. Theboys were certainly rough and rather hard drinkers,
but their hearts were in the rightplace. After all, six months
of idleness following a long run offever, a lost position and consequent discouragement
had brought poverty and wretchedness to JoeBennett. The lumber camp on the Featherstone
(00:49):
where he had been at work hadbroken up and gone, and an old
shack, deserted by some hunter andnow standing alone in the great woods,
was the only home he could providefor his little family. It had answered
its purpose as a makeshift in thewarm weather, but now in late November,
with the terrible northern winter coming swiftlyon, it was small wonder The
young lumberman had been discouraged as hetried to forecast the future. His strength
(01:14):
returned, however, and lately somethingof his courage, for he had found
work. It was fifteen miles away, to be sure, and in beetle
Ring lumber Camp, the camp thatbore the reputation of being the roughest on
the Featherstone. But it was work. He was earning something, and might
hope soon to move his family intoa habitable house and civilization. But his
(01:36):
position at Beetle Ring was not anenviable one. The men took scant pains
to conceal their dislike for the youngfellow, who steadfastly refused to chip in
when the camp jug was sent toSkylark, the nearest saloon some miles down
the river, and who invariably declinedto join in on the camp's numerous sprees.
But Bennett worked on quietly and inthe meantime to the old shack and
(01:59):
the woods. The baby had comein the bleak November weather night was settling
down over the woods. An oldhalf breed woman was tending the fire in
one room of the shack, andon the wretched bed lay a fair faced
woman. The young wife and mother, who looked wistfully out at the bleak
woods, white with the first snow, then turned her wan pale face toward
(02:21):
the tiny bundle at her side.You'll pappy come tonight, baby, she
said softly. It's Saturday, andyour pappy will come tonight. Sure.
She drew the covers more closely andtucked them carefully around the small figure men
the file li set. Please,it's cold, an Lisette, Please watch
out down the road. Sometimes Joecomes early Saturdays. The old woman shook
(02:46):
her head and muttered over the littlepile of wood. But she fed the
fire, and then turned and lookeddown the long white trail. No Joe
yet, she said, with asympathetic glance toward the bed. She looked
at the thick gray clouds and addedheaps snow soon. But the night came
down and the evening passed while thewomen waited anxiously. It was near midnight
(03:07):
when the wife's face lighted up suddenlyat a sound outside, and directly there
was a pounding, uncertain step onthe threshold. The door opened and Bennett
came in clumsily. The little woman'sglad cry of welcome was changed to one
of apprehension at her husband's appearance.The resolute swinging and bearing of the lumberman
that had returned as he regained hisstrength were gone. He clumped across the
(03:30):
room unsteadily on a pair of rudecrutches, his left foot swathed in bandages.
A big, ungainly bundle. Whatis it, Joe, the wife
asked anxiously, Just morm, myprecious luck, that's all, nanny.
He threw off the old box coatand heavy cap, brushed the melting snow
from his hair and beard, and, without waiting to warm his chilled hands
(03:53):
at the fire, hobbled to thebed and bent over the woman and the
tiny bundle. Are you all right, Nan, he asked anxios, All
right, Joe, but I've beenso worried an the baby? Nan The
wife gently pushed back the covers andproudly brought to view a tiny, pink
and puckered face. Fine, Joe, she's just as fine, isn't she.
(04:14):
A proud, happy light flickered fora moment in the man's eyes as
he stooped to kiss the tiny face. Then he shut his teeth hard and
swallowed. Suddenly, what is it, Joe? His wife asked, looking
at the rudely bandage foot cut itnigh half off an hurt the bone.
It'll be weeks before I can doa stroke O work again. It means
I don't know what, but Idaren't think Nanny the cook sowed it up.
(04:40):
He glowered at the injured member savagely. His wife's face grew paler still,
but she only asked tenderly, howdid ye ever get here? Joe
rode one of pass Bream's hosses,his red Roan, fifteen miles on horseback
with that foot. I should havethought it would have killed you, Joe.
I had to come, Nan,said the lumberman. I didn't know
(05:01):
how you were gettin on an.I had to come. I didn't suppose
they'd let you have a horse anyof um now slain's come. They wouldn't
if i'd ask em. They don'tseem to like me very well, and
I didn't ask. His wife's big, wistful eyes were turned upon him in
quick alarm. I'm scared, Joe, if you took a horse without askin,
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what'll they think? Where is it? Joe? Don't ye worry?
Nan, I sent the horse backby pock pole Pete, he'll have n
back before mornin'. Pose won't misshim till then. An I wrote a
note explainin Po's will be mad some, but he'll get over it. The
young lumberman listened uneasily to the storm, which was increasing, looked at his
(05:42):
wife's pale face a moment and added, I had to come, Nan,
I just had to. But thewoman was only half reassured. If anything
should happen, she said, ifhe shouldn't get it back, they'd think,
ye, ye stole it. Anthere there, Nan, broke in
her husband. Don't be cuin Bridges. Peter'll take the horse back. I've
done the fellow lots of favors andhe won't go back on me. Don't
(06:05):
worry, girl. He moved thebandaged foot and winced, but not from
pain of the wound. The hardlook grew deeper on his face. I'm
down on my luck, Nan,he said, hopelessly. There's no use
trying. Everything's against me, Everythingfollowing me like grim death, an grim
death. He jerked the words outharshly. It's like to be the end
(06:26):
of it here in this old shackthat's not fit to winter hogs in let
alone humans. There's not wood enoughto cut up to last a week.
You'll freeze, Nan, you anthe baby, An, I'm jest nothin'.
He took two silver dollars from hispocket and said, almost savagely,
that's what we've got to winter on, and me crippled. But his wife
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put her hand on his softly.Don't you give up, so Joe,
she said, And presently she added, next Thursday's Thanksgiving. We've seen hard
times, and we may see heart, but I never knew Thanksgiving to come
yet without something to be thankful for. Never Outside, The storm continued,
fine, snow sifting down rapidly.Pike pulled Pete, found stiff work facing
(07:13):
it, and bent low over thered roan's neck. Blue blazes. He
muttered, Bennett's a good fellow,all right. An, he's hurt,
but if he hands Nae saved mylife twice, he could get this critter
back himself for all o me.He glanced at the dark woods and drew
up. Suddenly, the road forkshere and Turner's is yonder less than a
mile. I'll hitch in his barna spell and go on later. And
(07:35):
he took the Turner fork, butat Turner's pete found two or three congenial
spirits and a jug, and afew hours later the easy going fellow was
deep in a tipsy sleep that wouldlast for hours. The following Sunday morning
came bright and clear, upon freshlyfallen snow that softened all the ruder outlines
(07:55):
of town and field and woods.Beetle Ring camp lay wrapped in fleece whiteness.
The camp was late astir, forSunday was beetle Ring's day, not
of rest but of carousal. Twomen had started out rather early the camp's
jugged delegation to the skylark. Presentlythe men began to straggle out to the
snug row of sheds where the horseswere kept. Posey bream yawned lazily as
(08:18):
he threw open the door of hisparticular stall, then suddenly brought himself together
with a jerk and stared fixedly.What ails ye now pose seen a ghost?
Skid? Thompson stopped with a bigmeasure of feed, which he was
carrying. No, I've seen noghost, said Breams, slowly, still
staring look ere skid. Thompson lookedinto the stall and nearly dropped the measure.
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By George, pose he said,By George, The news flew over
the camp like wildfire. Posey Bream'sred roan, the best horse in the
camp had been stolen. The burlylumbermen came hurrying from all directions. There
was no doubt about it. Thehorse was gone, and the snow had
covered every retrace. There was absolutelyno clue to follow. Silently and sullenly,
(09:05):
the men filed in to breakfast,and a lumberman's eyes, hardly a
crime could exceed that of horse stealing. What I wanna know is, said
Bream, as he glanced sharply roundthe long room of the camp. What's
become of that yellow haired Jay Bennett? By George, said Skid Thompson.
That's right. Where is the critter? Skipped? Said Bill Bates sententiously,
(09:28):
after a quick search had been made. It's all plain enough now. I
never liked the close fisted critter,nor I either, growled Skidd, never
chipped in with the boys, butwas layin low just the same. You
won't catch him either, said Bates. There's sharp that kind the critter new
twould snow and hide his tracks.Then I just sewed up his blame Foot,
(09:50):
muttered the cook in disgust. Maybewe'll catch him up to fat Pine
two years ago, began Bream,reminiscently, Big Donovan had stole a horse.
They he caught the fellaw Yeah,remember, said Skid Thompson. I
was there. We caught him upnorth. The men nodded understandingly and approvingly.
Were the one hundred and fifty dollarsthe roane was, said Bream.
(10:13):
Beetle Ring camp passed an uneasy day, the jug for once receiving scant attention.
Late in the afternoon, Trapper John, an old half breed who hunted
and trapped about the woods, stoppedat the camp to get warm. Didn't
see anybody with a horse last nightor this morning, eh, John asked
posey Bream Um. Yes, respondedthe old trapper quickly. Some horse last
(10:37):
night, man ride bigfoot. Soold John held out his arms in exaggerated
illustration. Beetle Ring rose to itsfeet as one man. What color was
the horse, John asked Bream softly. Huh, can't see good after dark,
but think ron Bream looked slowly roundthe silent camp and Beetle being grimly
(11:00):
maid ready for business. It wasevening when the men stopped. A few
roads below the shack. A lightshone out from a window, lighting up
a little space in the somber woods. The fellow's got pals probably said,
Posy Bream, you wait here whileI do a little scouting. Bream crept
cautiously into the circle of light,and, glancing through the uncurtained window,
(11:22):
saw his man with his pals.He saw upon the miserable bed a woman
with a thin, pale face andsad, wistful eyes, eyes that yet
lighted up a beautiful pride as theyrested upon the man, who sat close
by, holding a tiny bundle inhis arms. The man shifted his position
a little so that the light fellupon the bundle, and then the watcher
(11:45):
outside saw the sleeping face of ababy. There was rumor in the camp
that Posey Bream had not always beenthe man that he was, that a
woman had once blessed his life.But since they had carried the young mother
away with her dead baby on herbreast, place the two in one deep
grave together, he had gone steadilydownward. With hungry eyes, Bream gazed
(12:07):
at the scene in the poor littlehouse, his thoughts flying backward over the
years. A sudden, sharp,impatient whistle roused him, and he strode
hastily back to the waiting men.Well pose, interrogated skidd impatiently. He's
there, all right, said Bream, in a peculiar tone. I ain't
over much given to advisin prowlin roundfolks houses. But you fellas just lookin'
(12:30):
yonder. He jerked his head towardthe shack, and a line of big,
rough looking men filed into the littleilluminated space to come back presently,
silent and subdued. Now let's gohome, said Bream, turning his hoard
towards camp. Any horse, pose, questioned Bates. Burn the horse,
said Bream quickly, d'ye think thelikes of Yonder's a horse thief? I
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ain't worn'bout the horse, and themen rode back to camp silently. The
next morning, when Bream's swung openthe door of the stall, he was
not surprised to find the red Roanstanding quietly by the side of his mate.
A bit of crumpled paper was pinnedto the blanket. Bream read,
I rode your horse. I hadto. I'll surely make it right,
(13:13):
Bennett. Course he had to,growled the lumberman, and he passed the
paper round. Uncommon part, baby, said skid at last, dreadful cold
shack, though, muttered Bates,conveying a quarter of a griddle cake to
his mouth. That's just it,said pose, scowling. Just let a
stiff nip winter come and the womanYonder and the little critter they'd freeze,
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That's what they'd do in that oldrattle trap. The men looked at one
another in solemn assent. And I'vebeen thinking, continued Bream, since Bennett
there belonged to the camp, andsince we kind of misused the fellow for
being stingy, for which we oughtto have been smashed with logs. Though
we have kind of a claim onem as twur, and they on us,
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and we must get'em out ofthat yonn before they freeze plum solid.
He stopped, inquiringly. Right isright, assented several And I've been
thinking, said Bates suddenly, aboutthe storeroom of ours. It's snug and
warm, and there's a lot ofroom in it, and we can put
a stove in it. And butthe rest of Bates's suggestion was drowned in
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a round of applause. And I'vebeen thinking just a little put in skid,
Thompson, And if I figured correctnext Thursday's Thanksgiving, don't know,
as I've thought of it in tenyears. And if we stir around sharp,
we can get things ready by then, And well, twouldn't hurt beetle
Ring to celebrate for once. Butskid was also interrupted by a cheer.
And it's my firm belief, reflectedBates, with an air of profound conviction,
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that the baby of Bennett's was designedspecial and as you might say,
providential for to be beetle Ring's mascot. Fat Pine and Horseshoe have em mascots
to bring luck, and I've noticedbeetle Ring ain't had the luck lately.
It should have. Bates paused,and the camp meditated silent delight. Thanksgiving
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morning was a cold one, butclear more snow had fallen, and the
deep, feathery whiteness stretched away untillost in the dark background of the pines
and spruces. A waving line ofsmoke rose over the roof of the little
old shack in the woods. Bennettwas winding rags round the arm pieces of
the rough crutches. He had draggedin some short limbs the day before for
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fuel, but in doing so hadbroken open the wound, which gave him
excruciating pain. Joe said the wife, suddenly, where are you going?
I'm going to try for help,Nan, We're I denigh everything and my
foot. No better. He can'tdo it, Joe. You you'll die
if you try. Joe alone inthe woods. Oh Joe. The look
(15:43):
of hope that had never wholly leftthe woman's eyes was slowly fading out.
Well, I'll die if I don'ttry, Nanny, I'm huh, suddenly
exclaimed the old woman, peering outof the little window. Heap man,
heap horses, look see em come. Bennett turned hastily and saw a long
line of stalwart men and sturdy horsesthreshing resolutely through the deep snow and heading
(16:06):
directly for the shack. He lookedkeenly at the men, and his face
paled a little, but he saidsteadily, it's the beetle ring men.
Nan. His wife gave a sharpcry, it's the horse, Joe,
it's the horse. They're after you, Joe. Sure she caught her husband's
arm. The men were now fillingup the little space before the shack.
Directly there came a sounding knock.Bennett opened the door to admit the burly
(16:30):
frame of Posey Bream. He saidquietly, I'm here, all right,
pose and I took your horse.But burn the hoss, said Bream explosively.
That's all right. Shake Pard.He held out a brawny hand.
Bennett shook wonderingly. Wife Pard askedBream, nodding toward the bed, Bennett
hastily introduced him kid Pard. Breampointed a stubby finger at the little bundle.
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Bennett nodded. The lumberman grinned delightedly, then coughed a little and began
awkwardly. Part of the boys overat Beetle Ring heard, as you might
say, accidental. Bream coughed intohis big hand about your folks over here,
and your wife and the baby.They were powerful interested, specially about
the baby. Why Pard. Someof the boys ain't seen a baby in
(17:18):
ten years, And we thought,as you belonged to the camp, maybe
you and your wife would allow thatthe camp had a sort of claim on
the little critter yonder. He eyedthe tiny bundle wistfully, and another thing
that hit the boys. Pard.He went on. Up at fat Pine
they got what they call a mascotbeing a tame bar. And up at
Horseshoe they got a mascot being agoat. Lots of camps have them fetch
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his luck. And the boys aresure that this baby yours was designed special
to be Beetle Ring's mascot. Now, Pard, Beetle Ring, as you
know, ain't what you'd call aSunday school. But the boys they'll behave.
They fixed up that storeroom to beat, all nice bed, big stove,
and lots of wood and so on. And we've got a cow for
the woman, an baby, saywe want you. Powerful got a sleigh
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fixed hemlock bows, an a coverof robes and blankets, and Skidd'll drive
careful. He's a master at drivin'skid. Is you'll come, won't ye?
The boys are waitin'. Big tearswere in the woman's eyes as she
turned towards her husband. Oh Joe, she said, and choked suddenly,
but she pressed the baby tightly toher breast. I knew twould come.
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Thanksgivin there, Pard said bream,after blowing his nose explosively. You j
just see to wrappin' up the womanand the kid. An me an skidd
bein' as you're hurt. You know, we'll tone him out to the sleigh.
The young mother was soon placed carefullyin the sleigh, the old woman
following. But when Skid Thompson appearedin the door of the old shack bearing
(18:45):
a tiny form muffled up with wondrouscare, the whole of Beetle Ring shouted.
Bream led up a spare horse forBennett's use. The latter stopped short,
with a curious expression on his face. The horse was the red Roe,
but Bream only said, his keeneyes twinkling. Under such circumstances as
these, pod, you're welcome toall the Hosses and Beetle Ring. With
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steady, practiced hands, Skid Thompsonguided his powerful team through the deep snow,
over the rough forest road, andsometimes brawny arms carried the sleigh bodily
over the roughest places. At theclose of the day, an anxious consultation
took place in the big main roomof Beetle Ring, and presently two men
appeared outside. They walked slowly towardwhat had been the camp storeroom, but
(19:33):
halted before that door hesitatingly. Yougo in ahead, skid and ask em,
said Breen earnestly to his companion.No, go ahead yourself, pose,
I'd be sure to cock a hossor split a runner or something.
Go on, Bream knocked and bothwent in. All right, Pard,
ride as right, pose, saidJoe Bennett wife. All right. Bream
(19:56):
turned toward the bed, and missusBennett smiled up at him with happy eyes
and a bit of color already showingin her pale face. Bream smiled back
broadly. Then he asked, andPard the baby Pard as pert pose?
S Bream waited a little, twirlinghis cap, but receiving a sharp thump
from Thompson, went on, Theboys, Pard are anxious about the little
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critter. They're kind of hankering Pard. And Mum, if you're willin and
ain't fraid to trust her with us, why we'd be mighty glad to tote
her just for a few minutes overto camp. The boys are steitdy,
all of em, steady as churches, and hain't soaked a mite today,
And Mum and they ain't goin tothey've hoved the jug into a snowdrift,
and they'd take it kind mum,if you were willin'. The woman,
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still smiling happily, was already wrappingup the baby Bream held up a warning
finger when he returned a little later, and again smiled delightedly. Went to
sleep a totin' if you'll believe it, that burned little critter, he said
softly, And he added, theboy boys Pard are mighty pleased. And
Mum, they thank you kindly,they say, the boys do. There
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ain't such a mascot as theirs infive hundred miles. They see luck come,
and chunks of it pard already,And the big fellow went out and
closed the door gently. End ofBeetle Ring's Thanksgiving Mascot recording by Crystal Rogers
Section three of Good Cheer Stories EveryChild Should Know. This is a LibriVox
recording. All LibriVox recordings were inthe public domain. For more information or
to volunteer, please visit LibriVox dotorg. Recording by Crystal Rogers. Good
Cheer Stories Every Child Should Know byAsa Don Dickinson. Beetle Ring's Thanksgiving mascot
(00:23):
by Sheldon C. Stoddard. BeadleRing had the reputation of being the toughest
lumber camp on the river. Theboys were certainly rough and rather hard drinkers,
but their hearts were in the rightplace. After all, six months
of idleness following a long run offever, a lost position and consequent discouragement
had brought poverty and wretchedness to JoeBennett. The lumber camp on the Featherstone
(00:49):
where he had been at work hadbroken up and gone, and an old
shack, deserted by some hunter andnow standing alone in the great woods,
was the only home he could providefor his little family. It had answered
its purpose as a makeshift in thewarm weather, but now in late November,
with the terrible northern winter coming swiftlyon, it was small wonder The
young lumberman had been discouraged as hetried to forecast the future. His strength
(01:14):
returned, however, and lately somethingof his courage, for he had found
work. It was fifteen miles away, to be sure, and in beetle
Ring lumber Camp, the camp thatbore the reputation of being the roughest on
the Featherstone. But it was work. He was earning something, and might
hope soon to move his family intoa habitable house and civilization. But his
(01:36):
position at Beetle Ring was not anenviable one. The men took scant pains
to conceal their dislike for the youngfellow, who steadfastly refused to chip in
when the camp jug was sent toSkylark, the nearest saloon some miles down
the river, and who invariably declinedto join in on the camp's numerous sprees.
But Bennett worked on quietly and inthe meantime to the old shack and
(01:59):
the woods. The baby had comein the bleak November weather night was settling
down over the woods. An oldhalf breed woman was tending the fire in
one room of the shack, andon the wretched bed lay a fair faced
woman. The young wife and mother, who looked wistfully out at the bleak
woods, white with the first snow, then turned her wan pale face toward
(02:21):
the tiny bundle at her side.You'll pappy come tonight, baby, she
said softly. It's Saturday, andyour pappy will come tonight. Sure.
She drew the covers more closely andtucked them carefully around the small figure men
the file li set. Please,it's cold, an Lisette, Please watch
out down the road. Sometimes Joecomes early Saturdays. The old woman shook
(02:46):
her head and muttered over the littlepile of wood. But she fed the
fire, and then turned and lookeddown the long white trail. No Joe
yet, she said, with asympathetic glance toward the bed. She looked
at the thick gray clouds and addedheaps snow soon. But the night came
down and the evening passed while thewomen waited anxiously. It was near midnight
(03:07):
when the wife's face lighted up suddenlyat a sound outside, and directly there
was a pounding, uncertain step onthe threshold. The door opened and Bennett
came in clumsily. The little woman'sglad cry of welcome was changed to one
of apprehension at her husband's appearance.The resolute swinging and bearing of the lumberman
that had returned as he regained hisstrength were gone. He clumped across the
(03:30):
room unsteadily on a pair of rudecrutches, his left foot swathed in bandages.
A big, ungainly bundle. Whatis it, Joe, the wife
asked anxiously, Just morm, myprecious luck, that's all, nanny.
He threw off the old box coatand heavy cap, brushed the melting snow
from his hair and beard, and, without waiting to warm his chilled hands
(03:53):
at the fire, hobbled to thebed and bent over the woman and the
tiny bundle. Are you all right, Nan, he asked anxios, All
right, Joe, but I've beenso worried an the baby? Nan The
wife gently pushed back the covers andproudly brought to view a tiny, pink
and puckered face. Fine, Joe, she's just as fine, isn't she.
(04:14):
A proud, happy light flickered fora moment in the man's eyes as
he stooped to kiss the tiny face. Then he shut his teeth hard and
swallowed. Suddenly, what is it, Joe? His wife asked, looking
at the rudely bandage foot cut itnigh half off an hurt the bone.
It'll be weeks before I can doa stroke O work again. It means
I don't know what, but Idaren't think Nanny the cook sowed it up.
(04:40):
He glowered at the injured member savagely. His wife's face grew paler still,
but she only asked tenderly, howdid ye ever get here? Joe
rode one of pass Bream's hosses,his red Roan, fifteen miles on horseback
with that foot. I should havethought it would have killed you, Joe.
I had to come, Nan,said the lumberman. I didn't know
(05:01):
how you were gettin on an.I had to come. I didn't suppose
they'd let you have a horse anyof um now slain's come. They wouldn't
if i'd ask em. They don'tseem to like me very well, and
I didn't ask. His wife's big, wistful eyes were turned upon him in
quick alarm. I'm scared, Joe, if you took a horse without askin,
(05:21):
what'll they think? Where is it? Joe? Don't ye worry?
Nan, I sent the horse backby pock pole Pete, he'll have n
back before mornin'. Pose won't misshim till then. An I wrote a
note explainin Po's will be mad some, but he'll get over it. The
young lumberman listened uneasily to the storm, which was increasing, looked at his
(05:42):
wife's pale face a moment and added, I had to come, Nan,
I just had to. But thewoman was only half reassured. If anything
should happen, she said, ifhe shouldn't get it back, they'd think,
ye, ye stole it. Anthere there, Nan, broke in
her husband. Don't be cuin Bridges. Peter'll take the horse back. I've
done the fellow lots of favors andhe won't go back on me. Don't
(06:05):
worry, girl. He moved thebandaged foot and winced, but not from
pain of the wound. The hardlook grew deeper on his face. I'm
down on my luck, Nan,he said, hopelessly. There's no use
trying. Everything's against me, Everythingfollowing me like grim death, an grim
death. He jerked the words outharshly. It's like to be the end
(06:26):
of it here in this old shackthat's not fit to winter hogs in let
alone humans. There's not wood enoughto cut up to last a week.
You'll freeze, Nan, you anthe baby, An, I'm jest nothin'.
He took two silver dollars from hispocket and said, almost savagely,
that's what we've got to winter on, and me crippled. But his wife
(06:47):
put her hand on his softly.Don't you give up, so Joe,
she said, And presently she added, next Thursday's Thanksgiving. We've seen hard
times, and we may see heart, but I never knew Thanksgiving to come
yet without something to be thankful for. Never Outside, The storm continued,
fine, snow sifting down rapidly.Pike pulled Pete, found stiff work facing
(07:13):
it, and bent low over thered roan's neck. Blue blazes. He
muttered, Bennett's a good fellow,all right. An, he's hurt,
but if he hands Nae saved mylife twice, he could get this critter
back himself for all o me.He glanced at the dark woods and drew
up. Suddenly, the road forkshere and Turner's is yonder less than a
mile. I'll hitch in his barna spell and go on later. And
(07:35):
he took the Turner fork, butat Turner's pete found two or three congenial
spirits and a jug, and afew hours later the easy going fellow was
deep in a tipsy sleep that wouldlast for hours. The following Sunday morning
came bright and clear, upon freshlyfallen snow that softened all the ruder outlines
(07:55):
of town and field and woods.Beetle Ring camp lay wrapped in fleece whiteness.
The camp was late astir, forSunday was beetle Ring's day, not
of rest but of carousal. Twomen had started out rather early the camp's
jugged delegation to the skylark. Presentlythe men began to straggle out to the
snug row of sheds where the horseswere kept. Posey bream yawned lazily as
(08:18):
he threw open the door of hisparticular stall, then suddenly brought himself together
with a jerk and stared fixedly.What ails ye now pose seen a ghost?
Skid? Thompson stopped with a bigmeasure of feed, which he was
carrying. No, I've seen noghost, said Breams, slowly, still
staring look ere skid. Thompson lookedinto the stall and nearly dropped the measure.
(08:41):
By George, pose he said,By George, The news flew over
the camp like wildfire. Posey Bream'sred roan, the best horse in the
camp had been stolen. The burlylumbermen came hurrying from all directions. There
was no doubt about it. Thehorse was gone, and the snow had
covered every retrace. There was absolutelyno clue to follow. Silently and sullenly,
(09:05):
the men filed in to breakfast,and a lumberman's eyes, hardly a
crime could exceed that of horse stealing. What I wanna know is, said
Bream, as he glanced sharply roundthe long room of the camp. What's
become of that yellow haired Jay Bennett? By George, said Skid Thompson.
That's right. Where is the critter? Skipped? Said Bill Bates sententiously,
(09:28):
after a quick search had been made. It's all plain enough now. I
never liked the close fisted critter,nor I either, growled Skidd, never
chipped in with the boys, butwas layin low just the same. You
won't catch him either, said Bates. There's sharp that kind the critter new
twould snow and hide his tracks.Then I just sewed up his blame Foot,
(09:50):
muttered the cook in disgust. Maybewe'll catch him up to fat Pine
two years ago, began Bream,reminiscently, Big Donovan had stole a horse.
They he caught the fellaw Yeah,remember, said Skid Thompson. I
was there. We caught him upnorth. The men nodded understandingly and approvingly.
Were the one hundred and fifty dollarsthe roane was, said Bream.
(10:13):
Beetle Ring camp passed an uneasy day, the jug for once receiving scant attention.
Late in the afternoon, Trapper John, an old half breed who hunted
and trapped about the woods, stoppedat the camp to get warm. Didn't
see anybody with a horse last nightor this morning, eh, John asked
posey Bream Um. Yes, respondedthe old trapper quickly. Some horse last
(10:37):
night, man ride bigfoot. Soold John held out his arms in exaggerated
illustration. Beetle Ring rose to itsfeet as one man. What color was
the horse, John asked Bream softly. Huh, can't see good after dark,
but think ron Bream looked slowly roundthe silent camp and Beetle being grimly
(11:00):
maid ready for business. It wasevening when the men stopped. A few
roads below the shack. A lightshone out from a window, lighting up
a little space in the somber woods. The fellow's got pals probably said,
Posy Bream, you wait here whileI do a little scouting. Bream crept
cautiously into the circle of light,and, glancing through the uncurtained window,
(11:22):
saw his man with his pals.He saw upon the miserable bed a woman
with a thin, pale face andsad, wistful eyes, eyes that yet
lighted up a beautiful pride as theyrested upon the man, who sat close
by, holding a tiny bundle inhis arms. The man shifted his position
a little so that the light fellupon the bundle, and then the watcher
(11:45):
outside saw the sleeping face of ababy. There was rumor in the camp
that Posey Bream had not always beenthe man that he was, that a
woman had once blessed his life.But since they had carried the young mother
away with her dead baby on herbreast, place the two in one deep
grave together, he had gone steadilydownward. With hungry eyes, Bream gazed
(12:07):
at the scene in the poor littlehouse, his thoughts flying backward over the
years. A sudden, sharp,impatient whistle roused him, and he strode
hastily back to the waiting men.Well pose, interrogated skidd impatiently. He's
there, all right, said Bream, in a peculiar tone. I ain't
over much given to advisin prowlin roundfolks houses. But you fellas just lookin'
(12:30):
yonder. He jerked his head towardthe shack, and a line of big,
rough looking men filed into the littleilluminated space to come back presently,
silent and subdued. Now let's gohome, said Bream, turning his hoard
towards camp. Any horse, pose, questioned Bates. Burn the horse,
said Bream quickly, d'ye think thelikes of Yonder's a horse thief? I
(12:52):
ain't worn'bout the horse, and themen rode back to camp silently. The
next morning, when Bream's swung openthe door of the stall, he was
not surprised to find the red Roanstanding quietly by the side of his mate.
A bit of crumpled paper was pinnedto the blanket. Bream read,
I rode your horse. I hadto. I'll surely make it right,
(13:13):
Bennett. Course he had to,growled the lumberman, and he passed the
paper round. Uncommon part, baby, said skid at last, dreadful cold
shack, though, muttered Bates,conveying a quarter of a griddle cake to
his mouth. That's just it,said pose, scowling. Just let a
stiff nip winter come and the womanYonder and the little critter they'd freeze,
(13:37):
That's what they'd do in that oldrattle trap. The men looked at one
another in solemn assent. And I'vebeen thinking, continued Bream, since Bennett
there belonged to the camp, andsince we kind of misused the fellow for
being stingy, for which we oughtto have been smashed with logs. Though
we have kind of a claim onem as twur, and they on us,
(13:58):
and we must get'em out ofthat yonn before they freeze plum solid.
He stopped, inquiringly. Right isright, assented several And I've been
thinking, said Bates suddenly, aboutthe storeroom of ours. It's snug and
warm, and there's a lot ofroom in it, and we can put
a stove in it. And butthe rest of Bates's suggestion was drowned in
(14:18):
a round of applause. And I'vebeen thinking just a little put in skid,
Thompson, And if I figured correctnext Thursday's Thanksgiving, don't know,
as I've thought of it in tenyears. And if we stir around sharp,
we can get things ready by then, And well, twouldn't hurt beetle
Ring to celebrate for once. Butskid was also interrupted by a cheer.
And it's my firm belief, reflectedBates, with an air of profound conviction,
(14:41):
that the baby of Bennett's was designedspecial and as you might say,
providential for to be beetle Ring's mascot. Fat Pine and Horseshoe have em mascots
to bring luck, and I've noticedbeetle Ring ain't had the luck lately.
It should have. Bates paused,and the camp meditated silent delight. Thanksgiving
(15:01):
morning was a cold one, butclear more snow had fallen, and the
deep, feathery whiteness stretched away untillost in the dark background of the pines
and spruces. A waving line ofsmoke rose over the roof of the little
old shack in the woods. Bennettwas winding rags round the arm pieces of
the rough crutches. He had draggedin some short limbs the day before for
(15:22):
fuel, but in doing so hadbroken open the wound, which gave him
excruciating pain. Joe said the wife, suddenly, where are you going?
I'm going to try for help,Nan, We're I denigh everything and my
foot. No better. He can'tdo it, Joe. You you'll die
if you try. Joe alone inthe woods. Oh Joe. The look
(15:43):
of hope that had never wholly leftthe woman's eyes was slowly fading out.
Well, I'll die if I don'ttry, Nanny, I'm huh, suddenly
exclaimed the old woman, peering outof the little window. Heap man,
heap horses, look see em come. Bennett turned hastily and saw a long
line of stalwart men and sturdy horsesthreshing resolutely through the deep snow and heading
(16:06):
directly for the shack. He lookedkeenly at the men, and his face
paled a little, but he saidsteadily, it's the beetle ring men.
Nan. His wife gave a sharpcry, it's the horse, Joe,
it's the horse. They're after you, Joe. Sure she caught her husband's
arm. The men were now fillingup the little space before the shack.
Directly there came a sounding knock.Bennett opened the door to admit the burly
(16:30):
frame of Posey Bream. He saidquietly, I'm here, all right,
pose and I took your horse.But burn the hoss, said Bream explosively.
That's all right. Shake Pard.He held out a brawny hand.
Bennett shook wonderingly. Wife Pard askedBream, nodding toward the bed, Bennett
hastily introduced him kid Pard. Breampointed a stubby finger at the little bundle.
(16:55):
Bennett nodded. The lumberman grinned delightedly, then coughed a little and began
awkwardly. Part of the boys overat Beetle Ring heard, as you might
say, accidental. Bream coughed intohis big hand about your folks over here,
and your wife and the baby.They were powerful interested, specially about
the baby. Why Pard. Someof the boys ain't seen a baby in
(17:18):
ten years, And we thought,as you belonged to the camp, maybe
you and your wife would allow thatthe camp had a sort of claim on
the little critter yonder. He eyedthe tiny bundle wistfully, and another thing
that hit the boys. Pard.He went on. Up at fat Pine
they got what they call a mascotbeing a tame bar. And up at
Horseshoe they got a mascot being agoat. Lots of camps have them fetch
(17:41):
his luck. And the boys aresure that this baby yours was designed special
to be Beetle Ring's mascot. Now, Pard, Beetle Ring, as you
know, ain't what you'd call aSunday school. But the boys they'll behave.
They fixed up that storeroom to beat, all nice bed, big stove,
and lots of wood and so on. And we've got a cow for
the woman, an baby, saywe want you. Powerful got a sleigh
(18:03):
fixed hemlock bows, an a coverof robes and blankets, and Skidd'll drive
careful. He's a master at drivin'skid. Is you'll come, won't ye?
The boys are waitin'. Big tearswere in the woman's eyes as she
turned towards her husband. Oh Joe, she said, and choked suddenly,
but she pressed the baby tightly toher breast. I knew twould come.
(18:23):
Thanksgivin there, Pard said bream,after blowing his nose explosively. You j
just see to wrappin' up the womanand the kid. An me an skidd
bein' as you're hurt. You know, we'll tone him out to the sleigh.
The young mother was soon placed carefullyin the sleigh, the old woman
following. But when Skid Thompson appearedin the door of the old shack bearing
(18:45):
a tiny form muffled up with wondrouscare, the whole of Beetle Ring shouted.
Bream led up a spare horse forBennett's use. The latter stopped short,
with a curious expression on his face. The horse was the red Roe,
but Bream only said, his keeneyes twinkling. Under such circumstances as
these, pod, you're welcome toall the Hosses and Beetle Ring. With
(19:08):
steady, practiced hands, Skid Thompsonguided his powerful team through the deep snow,
over the rough forest road, andsometimes brawny arms carried the sleigh bodily
over the roughest places. At theclose of the day, an anxious consultation
took place in the big main roomof Beetle Ring, and presently two men
appeared outside. They walked slowly towardwhat had been the camp storeroom, but
(19:33):
halted before that door hesitatingly. Yougo in ahead, skid and ask em,
said Breen earnestly to his companion.No, go ahead yourself, pose,
I'd be sure to cock a hossor split a runner or something.
Go on, Bream knocked and bothwent in. All right, Pard,
ride as right, pose, saidJoe Bennett wife. All right. Bream
(19:56):
turned toward the bed, and missusBennett smiled up at him with happy eyes
and a bit of color already showingin her pale face. Bream smiled back
broadly. Then he asked, andPard the baby Pard as pert pose?
S Bream waited a little, twirlinghis cap, but receiving a sharp thump
from Thompson, went on, Theboys, Pard are anxious about the little
(20:19):
critter. They're kind of hankering Pard. And Mum, if you're willin and
ain't fraid to trust her with us, why we'd be mighty glad to tote
her just for a few minutes overto camp. The boys are steitdy,
all of em, steady as churches, and hain't soaked a mite today,
And Mum and they ain't goin tothey've hoved the jug into a snowdrift,
and they'd take it kind mum,if you were willin'. The woman,
(20:42):
still smiling happily, was already wrappingup the baby Bream held up a warning
finger when he returned a little later, and again smiled delightedly. Went to
sleep a totin' if you'll believe it, that burned little critter, he said
softly, And he added, theboy boys Pard are mighty pleased. And
Mum, they thank you kindly,they say, the boys do. There
(21:06):
ain't such a mascot as theirs infive hundred miles. They see luck come,
and chunks of it pard already,And the big fellow went out and
closed the door gently. End ofBeetle Ring's Thanksgiving Mascot recording by Crystal Rogers
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