Page 35 - Adventures of Peterkin Paul

T was Thanksgiving night,, and the clock in the With a step just haK-way ’twist a skip and a hobble.
hall While it uttered meanwhile a most horrible gobble.
Had struck ten, ere Miltiades Petericin Paul, “ O, dear me I ” gaaped Miltiades Peterkin Paul,
With exceeding reluctance, it length took a light, “ If here ain’t a turkey a dozen feet tail I "
And, bidding them all, for the third time, good­
night,
“ A ye! ” the turkey began, with an unearthly drawl,
Left the room, — but delayed going straight up to
“ You .ire right. Sir Miltiades Peterkin Paul,
bed,
And crept slyly around to the pantry instead.
“ For," said he to himself, “ I may certainly say
That I didn't get half enough turkey to-day.”

Then little Miltiades Peterkin Pay!,
With great labor, took down a huge plate which held
all
That was left of the dinner ; and, falling to work, lie
Very quickly had stuffed himself chuck full of
turkey;
So that when he got through— pray believe ii who
can —•
He was seven pounds heavier than when lie be­
gan !
" Ah ! " sighed lie as he paused, “ I don't feel right
just here!
But, then, — Thanksgiving Day only comes once a
year.”
And, worse than all that, I'm the ghost, you muH
In his trundle-bed, some hours later, that night, know,
Young Miltiades suddenly started upright, Of the one you devoured a short time ago.
And beheld, looming up through the shadowy gloom, You imagine, no doubt, 'tis a very small matter
A vast, ghostly shape, that advanced 'cross the To be killed, plucked and roasted, and served on a
room . p la tte r.