Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1891-12-24

critical moment the turkey gave afran-
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 a
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! am so sorry Is
ii badly hurt?"
"Yes-rm afrald-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 FASH 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, II the patient would follow
his direction.
"Of course he will do thatr'' said
Martha, briskly iii see to it. |
have him in my power now. He will
have to do as I 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 very few
minutes"
~ am afraid can't clsim obedience
on that score" said Martha, regret
fully. "If it hadn't been for me, it
wouldn't have happened in the first
place.
Travers smiled languidly, and whis-
pered: II think l am very lucky
fellow, if you are going to take care of
mep'
"And so do l." said the doctor,
promptly: ~ always said, Martha,
that there was no one in Abingdon
who could nurse like you, and think
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 not
till Christmas day that he stood once
more firmly on his feet and sat down
to dinner well man.
Mr. Stokes was away tending sick
friend, 30 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!' cried
Travers in dismay.
ut isn't as bad as chopping off
heads" said Martha, encouragipgly.
"You can't kill yourself"
But | don't know howl" pleaded
poor Travers.
"Neither do /. And mother can't,
you know, with rheumatism in her
hands. Never mind! Chop it up,
somehow. 1t will taste just as well"
Travers saw he was in for it, and
rose to the occasion, but not without
fear. The turkey was splendid big one,
but he had not the least idea how to
get at it. 1t was easy enough shaving
slices off the breast, but the joints
worked him up into fever. He did
not know where to find them.
"The anatomy of this fowl stri kes
me as being somewhat remarkable"
he said, looking savagely at a refrac-
tory drumstick which seemed to be fur
nished with steel hinge.
''Thee will find the joint further
down, Friend Travers," said Mrs
Stokes, gently. Don't hurry; take
thy time. to it."
'Oh, yesl' said Trayers, hopefully.
Here it is"
| At the same time he made wild
lunge at the fowl with his knife; the
turkey slipped on the greasy plate,
and, with remarka BILE vitality, jumped
completely off the table on to the floor.
| Travers dropped his knife and fork,
and sank into chair, full of mortif-
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 up
the degraded fowl and hurrying it
back to the kitchen. "You have cut
off enough for us on the plate. Mother
and / both prefer white meat. Shall
help you to cranbe rries, Mr.. Travers9"
Poor .Travers had sense of keen
discontinue. What a fool Martha must
think hint man fit for nothing but
painting poor daubs that wouldn't sell
half-price.
ehafed against his own shor tom
Md when Martha came into the
pom after dinner she found