The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1891-12-23

diligence of my incllnatlonS."
1t was some time before he got the
turkeys head on the block properly.
DO hurry up!' cried Martha, shut
ting her eyes. You make me nervous"
Almost at the same moment there
was dull thud, as Travers brought
the ak down vigorously; but at the
critical moment the turkey gave fran
tic flop, Travers let go, as usual and
the lucky fowl escaped from under the
ak, to fly screaming over the fence.
Martha opened her eyes, and saw q
growing pool of blood, but no turkey.
Travers was down on one knee, holding
his foot.
"Oh," she cried, flying to him, you
have cut your foot! l aul SC sorry! Is
it badly hurt?'
"Yes-I'm afraid-it's pretty nearly
cut off, said Travers.
He was growing very white, for the
blood poured over everything, and in a
moment more he fell over quite uncon.
| scious.
Martha was badly frightened, but
she knew what to do, and did it.
Quick as flash, she made of her apron
ligature for the wounded leg, while
her shrill cry for help brought her
father and the hired man quickly to the
scene.
! Travers had indeed almost severed
his foot in twain, but the surgeon who
was summoned promised to save the
member, if the patient would follow
his direction
''Of course he will do that!"' said
Martha, briskly. "Ill see to it.
have him in my power now. He will
have to do as / say. There will be no
sketching now till after Christmas.
"He ought to mind you," said the
doctor. You saved his life" He
would have bled to death in a very few
minutes"
| 81 am afraid can't clsim obedience
on that score" said Martha, regret
fully. IF it hadn't been for me, it
wouldn't have happenei in the first
place"
Travers smiled languidly, and whis-
pered: Il think l am a very lucky
fellow, if you are going to take care OF
mel"
"And so do l." said the doctor,
promptly: 81 always said, Martha,
that there was NO one in Abingdon
who could nurse like you, and think
l should rather enjoy months living
on your cookery.
Long before they would let Travers
put his foot down, he had lost his
pallor and was looking better than he
had done before. But it was moi
till Christmas day that he stood once
more firmly on his feet and sat down
to dinner well man.
Mr.. Stokes was away tending a sick
friend, so that Travers had to take the
head of the table.
"You will have to carve" SAID
Martha, as the Christmas turkey came
in, brown and beautiful under the
crown of holly.
''Oh, mercy, cruel maid!' criet
Travers in dismay.
ut isn't as bad as chopping of
heads" said Martha, encouragingly.
"You can't kill yourself"
But l don't know howl" pleaded
poor Travers.
"Neither do |. And mother can't
you know, with rheumatism in hel
hands. Never mind! Chop it up
somehow. 1t will taste just as well.
Travers saw he was in for it, ant
rose to the occasion, but not withou,
fear. The turkey was a splendid big one
but he had not the least idea how Il
get at it. 1t was easy enough shaving
slices off the breast, but the joints
worked him up into fever. He die
not know where to find them.
1.-THE anatomy of this fowl stri ke
me as being somewhat remarkable,
he said, looking savagely at a refrac
tory drumstick which seemed to be fur
nished with a steel hinge.
Thee will find the joint furthe
down, Friend Travers," said Mrs
Stokes, gently. Don't hurry; TAX
thy time to it."
''Oh, yes!" said Travers, hopefully
"Ilere it is"
At the same time he made will
lunge at the fowl with his knife; tn
turkey slipped on the greasy plate
and, with remarka BILE vitality, jumpe;
completely off the table on to the floor
Travers dropped his knife and fork
and sank into a chair, full of NORTH
cation and rage.
II think I'd better let turkeys alone,
he said, grimly. I'm sorry, Miss Mar
tina, but didn't mean to do it
Never mind" she said, picking vi
the degraded fowl and hurrying
back to the kitchen. You have GU
off enough for us on the plate Mothei
and l both prefer white meat. Shal
Ihelp you to cranbe rries, Mr. Travers?
Poor Travers had sense of keel
discontinue. What fool Martha mus
think him! man fit for nothing bu
painting poor daubs that wouldn't sci
at half-price.
He chafed against his own shor t-corn
ings, and when Martha came into tn
Gtting-room alter dinner, she foun,