The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1886-10-06
A Pet Turtle.

L was taxing walk IN the woods one
spring morning when / fell in with
four little turtles who were also taking
promenade. They were such ing
little fellows that l could not resist
taking them back to the house with me.
/ was visiting in New Jersey at the
time; and when / returned to my home
in the city / brought one of them with
me, done up in brown paper parcel
Before we arrived in Brooklyn, he burst
his wrappings and made brave strug-
gle for liberty, and was only subdued
by vigorous thumps with the handle of
my parasol. On reaching home he was
given the freedom of the backyard, and
was named w. M. Thackeray; but he
usually went by the nickname of
Thack," which was more convenient
than his full title.
was puzzled at first to know what to
feed him, feeling that city backyard
contained but scant provender for one
accustomed to country diet; but after
few experiments / found that Thack
took very kindly to mashed potatoes
and milk. He soon learned the sound
of my voice, and would stump hopefully
up the tagged walk to my feet when l
called him. 1t was an amusing sight
to see him take meal. l would ar
range his potato mixed with milk upon
the edge of his plate, the rim of which
he would take in his horny mouth. He
would then walk slowly around it, suck
ing in his food as he went.
/ became very fond of my queer
little "pet in box" He was per-
fectly tame, and had many interesting
ways. When he was dressed he used
always to wear blue satin sash tied
round his shell, GO in the place where
his waist ought to be-"
used to enjoy introducing him to
company. l would open the parlor
door and call him, when he would slowly
stump, with fluttering ribbons, along the
hall, through the doorway, across the
carpet and up to me, quite regardless
of the sensation his appearance always
created. Then / would take him up
and hold him, he suspending himself
first by one hind leg and then the other.
i would also put my finger in his mouth
and would scratch his head for him.
This last performance seemed to give
him peculiar pleasure. He would lie
perfectly still, opening and shutting his
eyes in sleepy satisfaction as long as |
continued the motion.
kept Thack for eight months. Then
winter drew near, and he began to
show signs of torpidity and desire for
his long winters nap. accordingly
took him to the park in basket, think
ing that there he could find a shelter to
his mind. While we were in the street
cars on our way there, he poked the
cover off his basket, and, standing on
his hind legs, thrust his snaky head
and speckled paws into sight, much to
the amazement of stout old gentle
man who sat opposite, and who looked
at him severely through pair of gold
eyeglasses. Thack was not at all
abashed, but watched the conductors
progress up and down the car, looking
at him with special interest whenever
he used his bell-punch.
On arriving at the park / took the
path to the lake; and, when / reached
it, | put Thack down on the grass few
yards from the water. He looked
around him for minute, and then
walked away without even bidding me
good-by. He paid no attention to my
calls of Thack! Thack! Thack!''
Evidently " his foot was on his native
heath, and his name was McGregor' -
He pushed his way through a clump of
ferns and | lost sight of him forever
| The 1drance.