The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-01-24
A Pet Turtle.
The Advance.

was taking walk in the woods one spring
morning, when | fell in with four little turtles.
who were also taking promenade. They were
such cunning little fellows that could not resist
taking them back to the house with me- / was
visiting in New Jersey at the time and when I
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 wrap
pings and made brave struggle 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 back yard, 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 a country
diet; but. after few experiments, l found that
Thack took very kindly to mashed potatoes and
milk. He soon learned the sound of nv voice,
and would stump hopefully up the tagged walk
to my feet when called him. 1t was an anus
ing sight to see him take a 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, sucking in his food as he went. He
would sometimes take little sour milk OK q
drink of water from q spoon.
became very fond of my queer 'little pet in
box" He was perfectly tame, and had many
used always to wear blue satin sash tied round
his shell, lin the place where his waist ought
to be-"
used to enjoy introducing him to company.
l would open the parler door and call him, when
he would slowly stump, with 1uttering ribbons.
along the hall, through the doorway, across the
carpet and up to me, quite regardless Of the
sensation his appearance always created. Then
l would take him up ard hold him, he suspend
ing himself first by one hind leg and then the
other. would also put my finger in his mouth
and would scratch his head for him. This last
performance seemed to give him peculiar pleas
ure. He would lie perfectly still, opening and
shutting his eyes in sleepy satisfaction, as long
as continued the motion.
I kept Thack for eight months, when winter
drew near and he began to show signs of torpid
ity and desire for his long winters nap
accordingly took him to the park in a basket,
thinking that there he could find shelter to his
mind While we we're in the street-car our
way there, he poked the cover of his basket, and
standing on his hind legs, thrust his snaky head
and speekled paws into sight, much to the amaze
ment Of stout old gentleman 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 inter
est whenever he used his bellpunch
On arriving at the park took the path to the
lake; and when l reached it I put Thack down
on the grass few yards from the water. He
looked around for minute, and then walked
away without even bidding me goodbye. 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 @ clumb of ferns, and
lost sight of him forever.