The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1899-02-11
such fa,sehood I'll fnd out his trick

have always felt ashamed Of the
artifice to which we resorted, for l do
not think that 1t was quite honorable,
even with the motive OF exposing a de-
ception. What we did was to go out
side the fair grounds fence and como
round in the rear of the cage. Bez'
"show" was placed on one side OF th !,
grounds near the fence. Through a
chink in the upright boards we watched
his operations for an hour or more. 1t
vas some time before we gained the
least hint as to the true nature Of his
gift, but we noticed that the cage had
q double bottom. or rather two bot
toms about three inches apart, each
of sheet iron, and that when Beg wished
10 set the turkeys dancing he thrust
the iron rod between the two bottoms
and ratified 1t against them. But this
was no adequate explanation, and we
were still in the dark.
Three or four successive exhibitions
OF the dance were given while we were
watching. Probably:the poor turkeys
were getting tired; for we observed.
that during the last dance Bee had to
rattle vigorously two or three times.
After few minutes another so cents
was subscrbcd; we could hear tho
crowd calling out: ION with the
dance! Keep it going!" Then we saw
Be- step back between the cage and the
fence. so MS to be concealed from the
spectators by the curtain. AS he pokcd
the fire under his oven he slyly threw
three hand-shovelfuls Of the burning
coal from the stove between the two
sheet iron bottoms of the cage. Then
he ratified with the shovel, and, step
ping out, pulled open the curtain. In a
moment the turkeys were dancing
smartly; we could hear them hop and
huttcr very plainly.
] smile even now when recall the
look of mingled triumph and disgust
on Toms face MS he glanced at me TO
sec il |. too, had comprehended.
That's his gift!" he whispered.
The cruel little hcouudrcl! That's the
way he's taught the poor thing. to
dance--by roasting the bottoms of their
feet! III wager that he blstcrcd them
more than once before he educated
them to hop n Highland Fling!"
But he doesn't seem to put in hot
Goals every time" said.
"But that part is plain enough" re-
piled Tom. 'Ilc has got Inc poor crca-
lures In such terror of Il scorclling that
the very sound of the shovel or poker
will set them hopping"
1t was pretty evident that we had d.
vined the nature of Hcz' gift. AS we
stood there we could hear him talking
glibly Of the different fairs at which
he had exhibited his turkeys. Next
week shall show them to the people
of Franklin county at their annual cut
tic show at Il" we heard him add.
"Ics," snid Tom, 81 am much obliged
for that bit of Information. | have IL
cousin living there who is lively sort
of fellow. I'll drop him hint as to
what's coming. Something will be sure
to follow"
AS we went past the post Office Tom
stepped in, bought an envelope, and
sent the following note:
Dear Nose: Look out for a fellow with
seven dancing turkeys ut your cattle show
next week. Hes tricky and cruel. He will
tell you he has peculiar gift for teaching
them: but the way he does 1t Is by putting
live Goals III at tho bottom of the cage.
We caught him at 1t. Get the boys together
and expose his trick and cruelty.
The manner in which the Franklin
county boys exposed Bee was described
In the Franklin Gazette, in it's account
OF the fair, the following Saturday.
give the item vcrbatm:
Prominent among tho side shows was n
cnge of wonderful dancing turkeys, cx-
hibited by one Beg Samuels. youth not
unknown to fame who also RECALLED the
multitude with fresh-roaatcd peanuts and
sweet cider. The dancing exploits OF tho
turkeys were really astonishing, and
proved feature" ut once turkey
taught to dance Highland Fling was q
novelty which Immediately attracted pub
lie attention.
The exhibitor expatnted upon the rn-
thence. blindness and peculiar gift requisite
for training turkeys to such high art in tn,
Tcrrschoreun line.
But alns for Bell II was discovered that
his peculiar Glft consisted IN putting live
Goals from his peanut rooster under tho
thin Iron bottom OF the cage in which tho
poor birds were confined.
Now tho people OF Franklin county are
great admirers OF roast turkey purticu]ur-
ly toward Thanksgiving; but the idea of
roasting tho turkey alive did not appeal
to them. Not much was said at the time.
but very early tho following morning.
when na yet f"w people lind arrived Mt tho
1alr grounds, select party. headed, 1t is
said by one Nose Evans. called round upon
tho gifted Snmucls. took him s,,mmarily
III hand. and having removed his shoes ana
stockings. popped him bodily Into his own
cage our special cUnstablcs who would
countless have int.rposud, appear not to
hnve arrived at that hour, and quite re-
CARELESS OF Boa protca,utIons, tho visit
ing ways proceeded to fire up beneath tho
cage.
1t Is limited that in the matter of the
Highland Fling. I'cz far outdid his tur-
Keys Tor space OF at least five minutes.
ana would have undoubtedly leaned much
higher had the top of the cage permitted
lie sang. meantime upon Il very elevated
key.
lIc was finally let ont will, n hint TINT
travel would probably prove the best Lulm
Tor his heated sOlcs. This advice he Noted
upon with such promp,ncss that our re-
porter was unable TO overtake and inter-
view him.
Youths Companion.
Truthful Kindergnrtmer