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Frank Merriwell at Yale, a novel by Burt L. Standish |
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Chapter 21. Roast Turkey |
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_ CHAPTER XXI. ROAST TURKEY Frank's appearance, with the turkey still in his possession, was hailed with shouts of delight. "We didn't know as you would get in," said Jones. "I invited some more of the fellows up here, as you see, and we found out that some of the sophs seemed to know something unusual was going on." "That's right," nodded Rattleton. "They were laying for us. Two of them stopped me when I reached York Street. They told me to give up what I had, but I didn't have anything to give up, so they let me go." Then Frank told of his adventure with a person who looked like Professor Grant. "That's it!" cried Little. "That was their game! They were after our turkey." "But how did they know we were after turkey?" asked Robinson. "They must have been told by somebody," said Street. "And that means we have a tattler among us," declared Burnham Putnam--Old Put--looking keenly around. The boys looked at each other suspiciously, wondering if there was one of the number who would carry to the sophs. To Frank's surprise he saw that Walter Gordon was there. Jack Diamond was also present. Frank found an opportunity to get close to Dismal and whisper in his ear: "Great Caesar, old man! why did you invite Gordon here?" "I did not." "Then how does he happen to be here? He didn't come without an invitation, I am sure of that." "He was in Billy's when I asked Put to come up. I knew you would like to have Put here." "That's all right." "Well, Put asked Gordon to come along before I could prevent it. Of course I didn't have the crust to make any objection after that." "I should say not! It's all right, but you want to remember that the sophs found out something was going on. Did Gordon come right along with you?" "No. He said he'd have to go to his room, but he showed up a few minutes after we arrived here." "Lots of mischief can be done in a few minutes. Did he know just what was going on here?" "Well, he knew somebody had gone out into the country to swipe something for a feast." "And it is pretty plain that the sophs became aware of the same fact. Here is food for reflection, Dismal." "You are right." The foragers told of their adventures in capturing the turkey, and there was a great deal of laughter over it. Merriwell showed how near he came to getting shot, and it was universally agreed that he was remarkably lucky. Harry told how he had bowled the old farmer over just as the man was about to shoot at Frank, and then he convulsed them with laughter by relating the capture of the gun and the chase he had led the hayseed. Robinson said he thought Harry was crazy when he rushed after the farmer in the way he did. "I couldn't understand what sort of a game he was up to," said Bandy, "and I didn't feel like following him into the jaws of the lion, so I held aloof. I saw him fling his club at the old duffer and saw it knock him down. Then, when I was sure Harry was all right, I legged it." "Farmer Baldwin's dog will have a sore head in the morning," smiled Frank. "The last crack I gave him stretched him quivering on the ground. Hope it didn't kill the brute." "Hope it didn't?" shouted Little. "I hope it did!" "But I don't want to pay for his old dog." "Pay for it! Are you dopy, daft, or what's the matter with you? Why, that man had a spring gun set, and it would have filled you full of shot if you hadn't tripped!" "He had a right to set a spring gun in his own shed to protect his turkey roost from marauders." The boys stared at Frank in amazement. "Say, Merriwell," said Uncle Blossom, gravely, "you're an enigma. Great poker! The idea of calling us marauders!" "What else were we?" "Boys, it is our duty to take him out and hold him under under the hose!" "Gentlemen," said Jack Diamond, who was present, "you will have a real lively time if you try to do it. I fully agree with Mr. Merriwell that the farmer had a right to protect his property." "Whe-e-ew!" whistled several lads, and then they all cried together: "Goodness, how the wind blows!" The boys had come to understand in a measure Diamond's chivalric nature and sentiments, and it did not seem strange that he should see something improper in stealing turkeys from a farmer; but it did appear rather remarkable that Merriwell should maintain such an idea after he had taken a hand in the game. "It must be that you chaps intend to become parsons after you leave college," said Walter Gordon, rather derisively. "And Merriwell would pay for the dog if he killed the beast!" exclaimed Uncle Blossom. "How about the turkey? I should have thought you'd paid for that." "I did." "What!" That word was a roar, and it seemed to leap from the lips of every lad in the room, with the exception of Diamond and Merriwell. The boys were all on their feet, and they stared at Frank with bulging eyes, as if they beheld a great curiosity. Merriwell simply smiled. He was quite cool and unruffled. "You--you paid--for--the--turkey!" gasped Lucy Little, as if it cost him a mighty effort to get the words out. "Exactly," bowed Frank. "How? When? Where?" "I pinned a five-dollar bill to the roost before I laid violent hands on the old gobbler. Baldwin will find it there in the morning." "Water!" panted Robinson as he flopped down on a chair. "I think I am going to faint!" "Oh, think of the beautiful beers that V would have paid for!" sighed Robinson, with a doleful shake of his head. "This is a disgrace on the famous class of 'Umpty-eight!" shouted Lewis Little. "We can never wipe it out!" "I fear not," said Easy Street. "It is really awful!" "And to think Merriwell should have done it. It would have served him right if that spring gun had filled him with shot!" "Excuse these few tears!" exclaimed Blossom, who had secretly opened a bottle of beer and saturated his handkerchief with the contents. He now proceeded to wring the handkerchief in a highly dramatic manner. "Go ahead," laughed Frank. "Have all the sport you like over it, but I feel easy in my mind." Some one proposed not to eat the turkey at all, but there was a dissenting shout at that. Then the bird was taken down into the cellar by three of them and stripped of its feathers. A pan and necessary dishes had been borrowed of Mrs. Harrington, and there was a roaring hard-wood fire in the open grate. Harry officiated as cook, and set about his duties in a manner that showed he was not a novice, while the other lads looked on with great interest, telling stories and cracking jokes. Merriwell offered to bet Robinson that woman was created before man, but Bandy was shy, scenting a sell. However, Frank kept at him, finally offering to let Robinson himself decide. At length Robinson "bit," and a small wager was made. "Now," cried Bandy, "go ahead and prove that woman was made before man. You can't do it." "That's dead easy," smiled Frank. "I know you will readily acknowledge that Eve was the first maid." "No, I'll be hanged if--" Then Robinson stopped short, for he saw the point, and the others were laughing heartily and applauding. "The first maid!" he muttered. "Oh, thunder! What a soft thing I am! You have won, Merriwell." The turkey began to give out a most delicious odor, and the boys snuffed the air with the keenest delight. How hungry they were! How jolly everything seemed! There was not one of the party who did not feel very grateful to think he was living that night. At last the turkey was done. Harry pronounced it done, and it was certainly browned and basted in beautiful style. It was a monster, but there would be none too much for that famished crowd. Frank and Blossom assisted Harry in serving. There were not enough plates for all, but that did not matter. They managed to get along all right. Some were forced to drink their beer out of the bottle, but nobody murmured. The turkey was white and tender, and it was certainly very well cooked. It had a most delicious flavor. And how good the beer was with it! How those fellows jollied Merriwell because he would not even taste the beer. And still they secretly admired him for it. He had the nerve to say no and stick to it, which they could not help admiring. When the turkey was all gone cigars were passed, and nearly every one "fired up." Then Harry and Frank got out a banjo and mandolin and gave the party some lively music. It was long after two o'clock, but who cared for that? Nobody thought of the hour. If Mrs. Harrington complained in the morning, she must be pacified with a peace offering. They sang "Old Man Moses," "Solomon Levi," "Bingo," and a dozen more. There were some fine voices among them. Finally a quartet was formed, consisting of Merriwell, Rattleton, Diamond and Blossom. It positively was a treat to hear them sing "Good-by, My Little Lady." "Good-by, good-by, my lady sweet!
It was after two when the party broke up, but it was a night long to be remembered. _ |
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