Judge — December 1888 — page 22: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

CHRISTMAS JUDGE iS ACK, do you remember that day in December, Snow-clouded and drizzling and murky, When, through woods fairly reeking with mist, we went seeking The wild turkey ? Tame turkeys were plenty ; the barnyard held twenty Fat fellows that same winter morning, But aught save the stranger, the mast-flavored ranger, We were scorning. In a glade wood surrounded, on every side bounded From edge of the meadow, deep into the shadow By pines, we stood, each a tired hobbler, Of forests, a single track trended ; When, sudden! ulted, from eyrie exalted, Miles we followed, through reaches of oak ash and beeches, he wild gobbler ! Till it ended. How the boyish blood bounded when overhead sounded Strong wings, the air cleaving asunder ! Though hope it seemed dooming, that strident out- booming, ‘Like the thunder! Boys seize chances lightly; the rifles lashed brightly, Like whip-lashes cracking together ; Nextinstant we noted where downward there floated Just a feather ! Hit! Twixt trees the glade walling plunged, noisily falling, Something dark! How we yelled ! which had shot him? Through the bare branches dashing, to earth he came cras! ng Ve'd got him ! How we tore through the bushes, what fallingsand pushes, Tired muscles new strength seemed to borrow ! How we toiled homeward proudly and planned and talked loudly Of the morrow ! And, next day, what a dinner! ne'er turkey was thinner Though our stomachs we pickle with sauces to tickle Or tougher, but that didn't matter ; A freakish digestion’s odd humors, We were bigoted—loyal unto the bird royal There is naught like the hunger which come to the younger On the platter ! Food-consumers. At the club to-day, dining—and cautiously wining— There is nothing can bring us the young blood was in us; Much I thought of the dinners I'd eaten : We are veterans, observant and knowing ; Each, save that, in its savor, its exquisite flavor Life has made us two wiser, but no appetizer Could be beaten. Matches growing ! Ah! ‘was life! You remember that day in December, Snow-clouded and drizzling and murky, When, through woods fairly reeking with mist, we went seeking The wild turkey? STANLEY WATERLOO. DEARER WITH AGE. “ You seem to have a strong attachment for that old overcoat,” said Crabley, as they walked through the snow towards the restaurant where they were to take their Christmas dinner. “Yes,” replied Jack; “It grows dearer and dearer to me the more I wear it. Only last month I had to pay eighteen per cent. interest to get a chance to wear it.” HARDLY AVAILABLE. “I know I ought to be thankful to Miss Snyder,” said Merritt, “ but I don't see how I can be. “ How's that ?” asked Cobwigger. “Why,” returned Merritt, “she made me a pair of slippers that are several times too large.” comicbooks.com