This historic fiction was written by Katie Reede and is based on a story told by Betty Krause.
``Henry, where is your pa?`` Tillie inquired as she looked out across the South Dakota prairie.
``I haven`t seen him since he went to take care of the cattle.`` Henry replied.
As Tillie was boiling water on the cookstove so she could make coffee, she looked out her kitchen window and saw a strange-looking woman walking down the road to her house. Tillie stared out her kitchen window at the woman. When the woman got closer to Tillie`s house, Tillie went outside to greet her.
``Hello?`` Tillie said.
``Hello!`` the woman said in a husky voice as she reached out to shake Tillie`s hand.
Just then, a gust of wind blew the bonnett off of the woman`s head.
``Why you fool,`` Tillie sputtered,``you old fool. John, where did you get that ridiculous dress?``
``I found it in the old shack in the big pasture while I was checking on the windmill,`` John said as he caught the hat.
``Well, get out of that outfit, we have things to do,`` Tillie said.
``Why the hurry? We have plenty of time,`` John replied.
``No, the train leaves tomorrow morning for Chicago. We have to get the turkeys killed and plucked so they can cool overnight. Plus, everyone is headed on over here to help,`` Tillie replied hurriedly.
``Ma,`` Henry interjected,``the Smith`s are here. They brought their kids, too.``
``All right. Send them into the dining room. Breakfast is almost ready,`` Tillie said.
``Everyone isn`t eating breakfast here, are they?`` John asked.
``No, just the Smiths`. They live so close that I told them that they just as well eat here. Everyone else is going to be here at about eight. The Smiths` are also bringing tables. Could you go and give them a hand when they get here?`` Tillie said.
After breakfast, several neighbors started arriving and they all headed out to the barn.
``I think I see Mrs. Riley over there. Excuse me one minute,``Tillie said as she was leaving a group of people.
``Hi, Tillie! I see you got all of your tables set up. Should I tell the boys to start killing the turkeys?`` Betty Riley asked.
``Sure, Betty. Go ahead. I`ll help everyone else get ready.`` Tillie answered.
The neighbors mouths flew as quickly as their hands as they plucked, cleaned, and dressed the turkeys.
``Well, it looks like we`re just about done with this batch. We can start taking out the pin feathers now,`` Tillie said.
Moments later, the men who were killing the turkeys emerged from the barn. They were covered with blood and feathers.
Just then, a small child came around the corner of the barn. When he saw the men, he stopped short and then gasped. Then John started gobbling and strutting around like a turkey. After the child saw this, he ran off screaming.
``Why, you boys look like you`ve just been attacked by giant turkeys,`` Betty said as she was laughing.
``Well, we`re done killing this batch. What next, ma?`` Henry asked.
``Bring `em on out here and we will start getting them cleaned up. Then, you go and get cleaned up. You boys can sit and rest for awhile. When you come back, you can clean off a couple of those tables so that we can eat lunch,`` Tillie answered. ``Will you help your pa pack them turkeys and take them to town tomorrow morning, Henry?``
``Yeah, I`ll help him.`` Henry answered.
``What are you making for lunch, Tillie?`` Dan Smith asked.
``Well, I made some fresh bread and onion sandwiches yesterday afternoon. They`re in the icebox right now and I`m just going to bring them out here,``Tillie said.
``That sounds good. You sure you got enough for all of us neighbors?`` He asked.
``Sure, there`ll be plenty. I always make sure I have enough to go around for everyone.``Tillie said,``You can help me bring them all out here, though. I`ve got lemonade and pie, too.``
``Okay,`` He replied.
When the days` work was complete, there were six hundred turkeys ready to be sent to the Chicago market.