The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1888-12-13
BILLETS DOUX IN TURKEYS.

And many wiser men.
BLLLETS DOUX IN TURKEYS.
NOVEL SCHEME OF FAIR VERMONT
SCHOOL TEACHER.
Gallant Mayor O'Brien Of Boston Falls
Victim to Her wiIes.-Other Bostonians
Fail to Bite at Invitations to Send Her
Gifts of Jewelry.-Adroit Missives In
Thanksgiving Turkeys.
from the Boston Herald.l
Kate Gillette is a Vermont school
teacher and Just before Thanksgiving
day Kate thought over what she had to
be thankful for the past year, and as her
eyes rested upon her jewelry casket its
emptiness suggested that when another
Thanksgiving day came around she
might as we'll feel thankful that there
were so many men desiring to part with
their money to a stranger, and that the
depletion of their funds meant the reple-
ton of her jewelry casket, for Katie
dearly loves jewelry, and so do the big
boys who attend her village school.
Now, if Miss Gillette's fertile brain is as
prolific in ideas to make her scholars
learn their A. B. C's, and she is as sue
cessful in intoxicating useful knowledge
into their heads as she is in filling her
empty jewelry casket, she must, indeed,
be looked upon by the school board as
treasure.
A few days before Thanksgiving, and
while her scholars were helping their
parents prepare turkeys for the markets
of the metropolis. Miss Kate might
hauo boo, eoo,, frn,,,
the carcasses of the birds, who a few
days previously had strutted around the
Gillette farm, totally oblivious of the
approach of their fate. Now this was
not the kind of work Kate felt she was
cut out for, so she decided to do a little
plucking of different style and vastly
more profitable, at the same time being
much easier. She wrote numerous notes
and placed them inside the turkeys, re-
questing the finder of the note to send
some present in the shape of jewelry.
Mayor O'Brien happened to purchase
one Of the birds, in which she had placed
this note
II am young school teacher and have no
watch. have taken a winter school, What
shall do without a watch hope some good
don't like the Democrats, but if one would send
me a present should think better of them. l
don't think they like to give presents, Do they
am Vermont girl, and hope to hear from those
who eat this turkey. KATE GILLETT,
East Randolph, Vt.
The note was written on half sheet
of common note paper in round, up
hill school girl hand. His Honor con-
cluded, despite the girls political belief,
to honor her request, and accordingly
on Friday purchased her nice gold
watch and sent it to her by express, ac-
companying it with note expressing
the wish that his political belief might
not debar him from holding place in
her affections.
Mayor O'Brien's letter, accompanying
the gold watch, was as follows
CITY OF BosToN.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
Nov. 30. 1888.
Ny Dear Miss Gillette; On Wednesday last l
bought very nice turkey, weighing 10 pounds,
in Quincy market, from the firm of H L. Law
renee & Co., where l usually purchase poultry.
and when it was being prepared for cooking, your
note, placed inside the turkey, came to light.
assure you it was great surprise-that your ap-
peal to Republicans and your pronounced dislike
to Democrats should fall into the hands of the
Mayor of Boston, Life: long Democrat assure
official life has recognized the claims of both
Democrats and Republicans. We are all citizens
of this good old city and have the welfare Of the
city at heart l believe in you. Miss Gillette, and
excuse your dislike of Democrats, because ii has
been cultured by that one-sded State in which
you live, always pronounced Republican 10
show you that am sincere send you watch,
which ! hope you will accept from the Demo,
cratic Mayor of Boston. Please answer, and
hope that my Democracy may not prevent me
from holding place in your affections; Truly
yours, HUGH O'BRIEN.
On Wednesday Mayor O'Brien re-
ceived a letter from Miss Gillette, which
is here given in full
EAST RANDOLPH Vt, Dec. 2, 1888.
Mr.. OBrien-Much Respected Friend II hard
ly know how to begin this letter to you after re-
Ceiving such beautiful gift from you last even
ing. Words cannot begin 10 express the thanks
which return to you in this letter. When
wrote the note little did l ever expect to receive
a reply, and when Mr.. Rolfe, the Globe cores
pondent, called on me last evening with the tel:
eRram bearing the news, l was so surprised
could not give him anything but disconnected
account. will try and express myself more
clearly in this letter. Nothing could have been
more acceptable. am only child was grad
uated at the Randolph State normal school four
years ago. Since then have taught three years,
and one summer operated typewriter for law
firm in New York. l was obliged to give up
teaching on account of i'll health for time.
have never been able to purchase watch and
chain, so have always borrowed one, and now
to receive such a valuable watch from you / am
truly very grateful, and think can afford to
get nice chain to attach to it, Twas so pleased
on receiving it that could not express myself;
assure you 1t was great surprise. know that
there Is one good Democrat. l think man OF
yonr heart ought to be Republican. This may
lead me to turn and change my politics at least,
shall always cherish kind affections for Que who
has been so kind to me. The watch is beautiful.
1 have worn it to church today, feeling very
proud Of the watch and giver. Mr.. Role, the
Globe correspondent, spoke in high terms OF you,
think you well worthy of being reelected May.
or, and one that the city Of Boston may well feel
proud of. You will not need to go to Quincy
market next year to purchase a Thanksgiving
turkey, for assure you i'll am alive, You shall
receive as nice turkey for Thanksgiving as the
State OF Vermont can afford. The watch came
Just in time, as l go in my school tomorrow
morning and the watch will be my constant com
panion. There was nothing so much needed,
and nothing could have pleased me more. Should
parents were very much pleased. Both Of them
are in very poor health, and join with me in
thanks to you. Hoping to hear from you again
will close, with many thanks and the best,wish
es of your Vermont friend,
KATE BLANCHE GILLETTE,
East Randolph, VT
In addition to the above, the Mayor is
the recipient of the following
CONCORD, Mass, Dec 3, 1888.
Mayor OBrien-Dedr Sir IL saw in a Sunday
paper an account of your turkey and your mos
generous present. Miss Gillette is lady abou
% years OF age, the daughter Of a farmer. Sh,
graduated in the first course class January, 1885
Randolph normal school, and has since taught
school. As member of that class, Vermont tel
and Democrat. thank you and hope you will
LEONARD FrsKE.
Miss Gillette knew enough to have {
good many strings TO her apron, and sht
alone can tell how many presents sht
has received during the past few days
and probably she would not care to di
vulge the number. Now just how many
turkeys contained notes from her asking
for presents will probably never be
known, but it is certain that two o
them did not materialze in the shape o
presents.
On Thanksgiving day the proprietor
of Court square hotel presented eacl
of his employees with turkey. DENIM
Mulcahey happens to be one of the luck.
employees of the hostelry, but Dennis j
pretty bright boy, and not to be caugh
spending his money in the purchase o
trinkets to adorn the person of an,
young woman he has ever seen. Oh, nc
Dennis has no hayseed in his hair. H
found secreted in the body of his turke
crumpled billet doux, and for the me
ment wondered how the bird ever swa
lowed such big piece of paper. Ur
consciously he unrolled it, and was SUI
prised to find the paper covered wit
writing. The chirography was plai
and round, and, despite the blood stain
upon the paper, was very legible.
was written in lead pencil on both side
but the size of the ring wanted WI
drawn in ink. The letter was in pr
q hoa tho mi