Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1897-08-28
The Turtle Doves.

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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 a cover, from which a curious
noise issued
What's that in the basket, BiIl?"
Jane asked: mot chickens. surely?"
Bill laughed IF you wants to
know. call your little lady. Coox.'' he
said. Its present for her.
So cook called Dolly. and Dolly came
running down stairs.
Father sends his compliments, Miss
Dolly" he said. "and 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 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 curious little sound
''Hark to them trilling their cooes,'
said Bill. Well, must be of Good
byei"
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 of with him. Dolly took I'D her
large white apron by the corners. put
the dove into it, and carried it Up to
the sewing rooms where her mother
was busy at work. Mrs Weston ad-
mired the dove, told Dolly that Il was
a very pretty and gentle pet, ard that
her father would make a house for II
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
disobedient and stole things and ran
away; and once she had large green
parrot with topaz eyes, who could
really talk to her; but it bit her finger
very badly just when she was givins
it lump of sugar, too. But this dov.
was meek and mild and sweet.
Surely it would love her just as sh,
should love it.
There is nothing like love ant
sweetness in pet, is there, mamma Q
said Dolly.
Nothing" said mamma, and kisseC
her little girl
That night the dove was put in tht
parrots old cage and hung in Dolly
room; but it made so much noise tina
Dolly slept very little. Over and owe
again she arose and looked at it b,
the light of the night lamp. The poo
little thing sat on one OF the wild,
perches bowling its head constantly
and repeating strange little cry tina
sounded like "tur-tur-tur." And SO i
went on for two or three nights.
In the daytime it would neither ca
nor drink, but made the most unhap
by little cry continually; it seemed /,
be crying.
Mamma" said Dolly. one morning
Edo you think it is sick?"
II hope not, Dolly" said her mother
perhaps we have not given It wha
IL HeeuS 10 eat. we VIII 90 to Ann
Mamie, who keeps all sorts of fowls
and ask her advice about feeding II !,
So about ten o'clock off they started
Aunt Mamie was a nice old colore,
woman, who lived in tiny house d
the foot Of Hill and raised all kind
of fowls and sold eggs to people VIII,
wanted to .set their hens. She listene,
carefully to what Mrs. Weston had I,
say about the dove. and when she ha,
finished, said. well. ma'am, / ha
raised plenty of turtles in my tim
and / kin tell you what is de matter
Dat dove is mourning for her mate
Turtles dat Is mated carn't be parte
less you wants to kill 'em. Dey ie
mourns an mourns an dies. certai,
shore. Dies of grief like dey wa
folks. Massa Chops jes show his fool
ishness partin' dem birds. He shout,
give 'em boff to you, Miss Dolly q
he should a give 'em bon 10 Miss Az
mes. never parted a pair Of turtle
sence sold pets. Dey amt no com
fort to themselves or nobody breakin
dere hearts an calm fur dere mates.
"ohi dearl dearl" said Dolly; "wha
shall do?"
There's nothing to be done but /,
take your dove to the parsonage an,
give It to Agnes" said Mrs. Weston.