Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1891-12-26

was born an arrisy. fastidious to a fault,
and she knew he would almost as suon
pick up rattlesnake as handle one of
the unwashed denizens of the poultry
ard. 1t was fun for her to watch him.
Every time he got near the turkey. it
took itself off to less dangerous To-
cality; and when, after chasing 1t
around and around the enclosure, he
finally got the creature by the legs, 1t
tapped it's wings in his face, and he let
it go. BY this time Martha was
screaming with laughter.
Let me catch itfor YOU" she said.
mo, said Travers, determinedly,
"Im in for it now"
1t was wild chase-quite absurd,
indeed, because it was so unnecessary;
and when Travers finally captured his
prey, Martha had completely lost her
composure.
"What are you going to do now?" she
asked, as he gave the gobbler n shake.
~ don't know any torture too great
for him." said Travers, breathlessly.
after all the trouble he has caused
me, l think / should like to roast him
alive!'
And serve him with garnish Of
burned feathers. Do you think you
would really enjoy your revenge?"
"oh, shall do exactly as you told
me-" said Travers, taking up the AK.
81 shall not ellow myself the least in
diligence of my inclinations."
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 q dull thud, as Travers brought
the AK down vigorously; but at the
critical moment the turkey gave a 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 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! l am so sorry! Is
it badly hurt?"
"Yes-Im afraid-it's pretty nearly
cut Off" said Travers. -7f
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
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, brislly. 'Ill see to it. 1
have him in my power now. He will
have to do as l 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"
81 am afraid can't cleim 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 1 am 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
should rather enjoy months living
on your cookery.
Long before they wtuld 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 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!" cried
Travers in dismay.
"It isn't as bad as chopping off
heads" said Martha, encouragingly.
"You can't kill yourself"
"But l don't know howl" pleaded
poor Travers.
Neither do l. And mother can't,
you know, with rheumatism in her
hands. Never mind! Chop it up,
somehow. 1t will taste just as we'll
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 shaying
slices off the breast, but the joints
worked him up into fever. He did
not know where to find them.