Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1897-08-05
The Turtle Doves.


One day when Bull Chops, the but
chers black haired, red-cheeked boy,
came to bring the meat to Mrs. Wes-
tons house he brought with him be-
sides the meat basket big white one
with cover, from which a curious
noise issued
What's that in the basket, Bll?"
Jane asked; mot chickens, surely?"
Bill laughed. IF you wants to
know, call your little lady, Cook" he
said. Its a present for her,
So cook called Dolly, and Dolly came
running down stairs.
Father sends his compliments, Miss
Dolly" he said, land a turtle dove that
he thinks you'd like to have for pet.
It's wings are clipped, so it can't fly
away. I've got another here for lit
tie Miss Agnes at the parsonage. I'll
show you the two of them together"
Then out Of the basket he took a pair
of beautiful doves and set them on the
table. They were just alike, and they
nestled up against each other and put
their heads together and began to ut
ter a curious little sound.
"Hark to them trilling their cooes,"
said Bill. well, l must be off. Good
bye!"
Goodbye, and thank Mr.. Chops
very much" said Dolly.
Then Bill went away, leaving one OF
the doves on the table and carrying the
other off with him. Dolly took up her
large white apron by the corners. put
the dove into it, and carried il up to
he sewing room, where her mother
was busy at work. Mrs. Weston adj
'nired the dove told Dolly that it was
2 very pretty and gentle pet, and that
Ter father would make a house for il
Just outside of her bedroom window
sill: and Dolly thought that she had
never been so happy in all her life. She
loved pets, but dogs frightened her a
little and cats were only nice when
they were kittens; after that they were
disobedent and stole things and ran
away; and once she had a large green
parrot with topaz eyes, who could
really talk to her; but il bit her finger
very badly just when she was giving
It lump of sugar, too. But this dove
was meek and mild and sweet.
Surely it would love her just as she
should love IT,
There is nothing like love and
sweetness in pet, is there mammal"
said Dolly.
Nothing" said mamma, and kissed
her little girl.
That night the dove was put in the
parrots old cage and hung in Dollys
room; but it made so much noise that
Dolly slept very little. Over and over
again she arose and looked at it by
the light of the night lamp. The poor
little thing sat on one of the wide
perches bowling it's head constantly.
and repeating a strange little cry that
sounded like "tur-tur-tur." And so it
vent on for two or three nights
In the daytime it would neither eat
nor drink but made the most unhap-
ny little cry continually; IL seemed to
BE crying
Mamma" said Dolly. one morning
do you think it is sick?"
Il hope not, Dolly" said her mother:
perhaps we have not given 1t what
n needs to eat. We will go to Aunt
Mamie, who keeps all sorts of fowls.
and ask her advice about feeding IL.
so about ten o'clock off they started.
Aunt Mamie was a nice old colored
woman, who lived in a tiny house at
She foot OF hill and raised all kinds
If fowls and sold eggs to people who
wanted to set their hens. She listened
carefully to what Mrs. Weston had TO
cay about the dove, and when she had
finished. said, We'll. ma'am, / has
raised plenty of turtles in my time
nnd I kin tell you what is de matter.
Dat dove Is mourning for her mate.
Turtles dat is mated carn't be parted
less you wants to kill 'em. Dey les
Inourns an mourns an dies, certain
shore. Dies Of grief like dey was
folks. Massa Chops jes show his fool
tshness partin' dem birds He should
a give EN- boff to you, Miss Dolly. or
lie should a give 'em bof TO Miss Ag-
nes. never parted a pair OF turtles
ren,e | sold pets. Dey amt no COM
fort to demselves or nobody breakin'
Aere hearts an calm fur dere mates"
"ohl dearl dear!" said Dolly; what
shall do?"
There's nothing to be done but to
take your dove TO the parsonage and
Give It to Agnes," said Mrs. Weston.