Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1883-12-14
A CHRISTIAN TURK.

T1lfeCtly CppOSlte Is Tue NWeIltts OIL Ill fetTael
"a pretty white cottage with porch in front
half hid by honeysuckle vines. The front yard
ia laid out in beautiful flower beds, where many
plants bloom luxuriantly; and evsry morning
and evening Mr.. Ferreu may be seen watering
and cultiyatiug them with assiduous care. In
the rear of tho Gotta eos are many fine fruit
trees and grape vines; and beyond them a
poultry yard. which seems to require consider
able attention from its owner. My neighbor
and were on friendly terms, though all that
knew about him could be summarized in few
words: he vas a tailor, and a Turk A dingy
signboarl informed tho village people Of his
business, and through the window
could often see him seated on
his table, busily sewing He himself in
formed mo of bis nationality, and the assertion
was emphasized by the red fez that he wore
constantly. He was short man with dark
complexion, dark hair, aud fiery black eyes.
Mr. Ferret was not popular person; in fact
no had few friends, for he Wa OF jealous.
suspicious disposition; he seemed to be always
trou bled with fear that some desingin person
would seek to deprive him Of his prop rty.
Though he was Turk, think he had aban-
doned the Mohamm edau religion,
Diagoually opposite my home was an nnoc-
cupind house in state Of general diapidation.
It had been deserted for some time, but one
day a strange family arrived and took up their
abode there. There was au old man aud an
old woman. both short Of stature, aud WITH
faces deeply wrinkled; they were appareuty
man and wife. Another old woman, TIL, bony
and haggard seemed to oftcate as houseAeeper.
The fourth and last person was girl, who
seemed about sixteen years Of age. Sho was OF
small figure and remarkably quick in her
movements. Hcr hair was decidedly red, and
flew about in way that seemed to defy sub
1a.t lar Cor
freckled, and her eyes were very large, keen
and daunt!ess. In the coyrse Of a few days |
learned that the name of the family was Prlggs,
and that the daughter was called Lucipe The
latter name seemed absurd enough ut first, but
I soon came to regard it as quite appropriate
Every morning at o'clock there would arise
q great hustle in the strangers house The
chimney wold send forth smoke, and the tall
wild-eyed housekeeper would be seen hurrylng
about in the discharge OF her duties. At z the
little old man and his wife would hurry away
to tho depot, and take the train to the Neigh
boring city, returning at z in tho evening
They always carried with them " small vallse,
and it was a matter Of great speculation to the
gossps of the town what their business could
be. After the old man and his wife wore gone,
the houseEeeper would disappear and remain
Invisible the entire day
Tho effect produced upon mr. Ferret by
this new arrival was extraordinary He
seemed to believe that it was the development
OF d plot against his peace and welfare. l &C.
casionally saw him standing in the shade Of
his houeysuckles, and watching, with an ap-
prehensiVe air the people across the way
For some days ] think his flowers suffered
from lack Of care Then he consulted car
penter, and had heavy wooden shutters put on
his windows that laced toward the new neigh
bors, and aftorward appeared somewhat re-
assured.
Not many days had ELAPSED before the girl
OH tod & thn nth
bers of the strange family were very shabby.
she was dressed richly, but gaudily and without
the least taste had seen piano carried Into
the house when the family came, and twice a
week pale lady came to XIV the young bafba-
rian q music lesson. Then would be heard des-
perate attempts at scales, a iangle of dsoorda,
and finally series OF crashe', followed by the
teacher's departure with dospondent looks.
Tho girl having thus disposed Of an irksome
duty, would come out, vault lightly upon the
gats-poSt, and sit there. viewing with apparent
Interest tho beautiful garden of Mr. Ferreti.
One afternoon, / sat at my table writing,
I saw my Turkish neighbOr como into his gar
den with hoe and watering pot, W. airing bis
red fez as usual, In moment heard pec1-
Iarlv shril voice calling:
'sHullo, red Lead! Hullc, red head!'
Looking out, saw Luceine standing at The
cute post, repeating at intervals her rather
questionable salutation mfr. Ferreti ignored
hor presence for a time, though he was eVi-
IDENTIFY iii at case. At last he said severely:
Little girl, go away. You are rude. 60
away"
THEN he retired to his house with great dig
nifty.
hat night he came over to me. and began tC
recount his troubles.
Il hat been 80 mad today he sighed.
sDat girl over hero-she is rude-she is saucy:
She SIT on the post Of the gate, and say to me-
'hullo, red-hel.' Oh. feel all hot like tire
inside She call me red-head, but her hair is
more red than nine All vas 50 mad"
WAY, Mr. Farreti," replied, ''she is but d
child, and yon should moi notice her. Chill
dran will be children. Perhaps she is no,
taught to do better, for you see her parents 60
away every day. Children sometimes Say
saucy things to ma on the street, but do not
mind them. keep cool"
''Ah You Americans are always cool wish
I could be 40. But nc; anything like dat make
me burn inside. could take the whip-the
pistoi-bu but there is tho law. There should be
law that children should not be rude. say to
mvself, Can this bs America, where man
cannot go IL his garden without getting in
sulted?'"
Aud with that he departed in deep attic
don.
The next day saw Iucine, attirea in a red
silk dress, busily engaged with coffee pot ant
fire shovel in cultivating consumptiye rose
bush that grew, or rather existed, in their yard
She was so interested in her new occupation
that she positively refused to take her lessor
when the music teacher came, and tina
unfortunate lady went away with an express
sion of Joy on her pale face. The rosebust
received good deal Of attention for a week.
and then something new agitated the Priggs
residence. One morning the old man and his
wife went away as usual, but instead of The
death-like silence which usually fell upon the
place, there arose a clamor of voices, the
shrill tones of Lucine predoninating. They
FjrASx,od and xvpndronS a relate the
: chimney again set forth cloud Of smoke
About two hours afterward, / saw Lucine in
earnest consultation with one of the nsighbor'
girls; then she entered the house, and soon re-
appeared, bearing an object covered with 8
snow-white cloth. The girl took it very care
reti's gate, while Lucine retired to window
where she stood watching. They had hardly
reached the gate when Ferreti came hurriedly
down the walk and met her. A short parley
ensued, during which be waved her away ia
the most emphatic manner, and she returned
to Lucine. Immediately Lucine came out
banged the gate, flew across the street, ane
planted herself 10 front of Ferreti's house.
'sYou red-headed fool!" she cried shaking
her fist at the house; s'cone out here and I'll
tell you what think Of you Come out or I'll
come in there 10 ~. q, :. E: =
She tried the gate, but it was fastened il
some way Then Mr.. Ferreti leaned forward
from his table, and opened the window.
sssAh, little cat All, little catl' he said; 'sgc
away. I would not hurt you. Go home right
sway. s5s,s5 it /. .ss H.. 4. / !; IL
4 Lucine stood on the gate Amt you ashamed
OF yourself, you unpolite old scissors-s nippsr
IAN little red cat 7, cried Mr. Fsrreti. with
black scowl Is your tr-r-r rouble vas failure
dis timew He reached up quickly, and tool