The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1891-12-25

tCOh itoNil OlA w a lSon NAuAiS SAObo ~
cality; and when, after chasing it
around and around the enclosure, he
finally got the creature by the legs, it
tapped its wings in his face, and he let
it go BY this time Martha was
screaming with laughter.
LET me catch it for you" she said.
mo, said Travers, determinedly,
I'm in for it now"
! 1t was a wild chase-quite absurd,
indeed, because it was so unnecessary;
and when Travcrs finally captured his
prey, Martha had completely lost her
compOSure.
what are you going to do now?' she
asked, as he gave the gobbler a shake.
II don't know any torture too great
for him." said Travers, breathlessly.
After all the trouble he has caused
me, | think | should like to roast him
alive!"
And serve him with garnish of
burned feathers. Do you think you
would really enjoy your revenge"
ooh, l shall do exactly as you told
me-" said Travers, taking up the AK.
Il shall not allow 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 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
growing pool of blood, but no turkey.
IraverS was down on one knee, holding
his foot
oh" she cried, flying to him, you
have cut your foot! am so 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 THAR said
Martha, brislsly. IN see to it.
have him in my power now. He will
have to do as l say. There will be no
sketching now till after Christmas.
"Ile ought to mind you" said the
doctor You saved his life" He
would have bled to death in a very few
minutes"
| Il am afraid can't claim 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: Il think l am very lucky
fellow, if you are going to take care of
men'
And so do l." said the doctor,
promptly: Il 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
h.,l D,,+
till Christmas day that he stood once
more firmly on his feet and sat down
to dinner Il 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" cried
Travers in dismay.
1t isn't as bad as chopping off
heads" said Martha. encouragipgiy.
"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 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 sha7ing
slices off the breast, but the joints
worked him up into fever. He did
not Know where,to find them.
"rhe anatomy of this fowl strikes
me as being somewhat remarkable"
he said, looking savagely at 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, yes!" said Travers, 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 remal>sa bic vitality jumped