Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-07-18
A DoUBLE.HEADED TORTOISE.

This pretty little pet, the shell of
which was quite normal save that it
was little broader than long, had the
usual four legs and a tail, but was fur
nished with two perfectly formed
heads and necks, which acted indie
penden:ly of one another-so indie
pendently, in fact, that the right and
left heads fought like little Troians,
whenever there was occasion for ieal-
ousv or spite.
Now, the tortoise is generally
thought dull and stupid creature,
but this little fellow knew the hand
that fed him and refused to eat any,
thing, however tempting, from stran-
gers. The favorite morsel of these
twin heads was a cricket or grasshop-
per. But the head lucky enough to
seize it first, found its right to sole
possession stoutly contested by the
other. Since they were equals in age
and strength, and had fair and equal
advantages in every way, these spirit
ed little tugs-of-war ended only when
the morsel separated. Then each,
thinking itself the hero, gulped its por-
ton with great satisfaction. They
seemed healthy and ate with evident
relish, and consumed equal amounts;
but often their appetites were not the
same, for at feeding-time the greed of
one and abstinence of the other showed
they were not equally hungry. Re-
peatedly L have seen one little head
turn slyly around and snap at the
bright eye of the other, plainly mis-
taking it for something to eat, and
causing that head to withdraw hastily
into the shell. And thereby there is
suggested point of continual discus
sion between these two heads which l
fear was never settled amicably. For
it often happened that both heads
were inclined to withdraw into
their common shell or house at the
same time, which they could do, it is
true; but when both were in it was
plainly very crowded.
Now, if there is any privilege pecu-
liarly that of the tortoise, it is the
privilege of Withdrawing at his own
sweet will into it's own private shell,
without any considerations for out
siders. Certainly, it would be very
lax and easy-going tortoise that would
yield its g-established right to Sc
clusion, and submit peaceably to the
encroachment of another; so these
heads quarreled daily. Sometimes one
head wished to look around, and then
the other enjoyed the luxury of the
shell in peace, but in course of time
the twin was sure to withdraw, too.
Then the two heads would tidget irri-
tably; only for brief moment, how
ever, for they came out almost at
once, as indignant and angry as their
tender years would allow, and, clos
ing their eyes, beat their heads to-
gether and fought with all their
might, till some compromise was af-
fected. These were the most amusing
and absurd little scrimmages magma
BILE. Just think of one itself engaged
in deadly combat with another itself;
what an absurdity!-b so 1t was.
And neither one could 90 away to
leave the other and sulk and pout
about it, so they generally gave up
when tired out and wisely agreed to
disagree.
When sleep overcame one head, it
withdrew. together with it's two feet,
into the shell. But the companion
head, wide-awake and looking about
in all directions, might simultaneously
decide to be up and doing, and then
it would start off vigorously with the
two feet belonging to its side of the
house; but its efforts were in vain; it
only went round and round in a cir
Gle. the sleeping side acting as a dead
weight. 1t didn't seem to mind it
much, however, but continued on its
journey uninterruptedly till the sleeper
awoke, whereupon the two sides start
ed off IN unison, but with the most
awkward gait possible. For, instead
of putting a fore foot forward, like the
normal tortoise, following Immediate
ly with a diagonally opposite hind
foot, this little monster stepped out
with its front feet at once. so that ita
fore parts were left without support,
and dropped; then the hind feet step
ped forward, leaving the hind parts
without support, and they dropped in
turn; and thus, bobbing up and down,
it advanced by an awkward, rocking
gait.
But the sleeper, reused abruptly,
was not always disposed to start off at
once with its companion, SO the other
scurried around as best it could till
convinced that circle is endless, and
that it must have recourse to other ex-
pedients than those provided by ma
ture. Out of its necessity, surprising
as it may appear, this little monster
had invented way of getting about.
Extending its two feet, it clutched at
grass and weeds, and so dragged itself
Sideways, and went when it would, or
where it chose, whether the other side
slept, or, being awake, took its ease,
refusing to bulge. have seen them
walk thus, repeatedly; but it was the
invention of the right head, and the
left never resorted to it so far as l
could observe. Thus it will be seen
that there was no concerted action be-
tween the right side and the left, and
yet they started together. with sur
prising frequency, to do precisely the
same thing: to eat, to swim, or to
walk.-E. II. Barbour, in st. Nicholas.
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