Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1901-12-27
The Turtle Doves.


But it's only week ago he got
them for himself, Samuel, and here
they are"
Maria presented her husband with
two doves in a wicker cage. Spoffins
had a general belief in human nature,
but ne had not implicit faith in
Clincher. The doves, however, Good
so prettily and looked SO innocent
that SpoHlns became enthusiastic
about Clincher's present. The cage
was hung up outside the kitchen door,
where the doves cooed AMI cooed.
"Just like a married couple, Maria, I"
remarked Spofflns.
yes, Samuel"
Stuck in cage and can't get away
from each other-so fond of kissing,
| mean"
The doves cooed all day, AMI
SpofIlns staggered about the garden
proud of being the proprietor.
At daybreak Spoffins awoke with a
start.
whats that?"
Goo, coo, coo, coo, cool"
"It's-no it isn't, Maria
eyes it is, Samuel; it's Clincher's
birds"
Sleep was impossible, so the Spot
finses came down to breakfast in the
early morning.
81 wish those birds wasn't quite so
affectionate, Maria-lisen to EN-"
Goo, coo, coo cool"
at doesn't sound SO lovely as it
did"
mo they don't, Maria. I'll put them
down the garden"
Spofflns did so, with the suspicion
of wish that some prowling cat
might make a meal off them.
The neighbor at the bottom of the
garden soon sent in to have them re-
moved, as the noise disturbed his
household. Spoffins brough them into
the house, where they cooed louder
than ever.
"Clincher is a smart man." NUT
tered Samuel, as he saw the reason
of his friends generosity.
Then the Spoffinses couldn't stand
tllc IOW any iOh5Si So 'hSy Sa'S ""iS
a holiday, as she also was getting ill
with the cooling. Locking up the
house, they went to Bushey Park.
On their return they found the let
ter box filled with complaints from the
neighbors about the doves, who, hear
ing Samuel and Maria enter, cooed,
seemingly, louder than ever
"I'll make them a present to
Plumptnimble," shouted Spoffins, as
the flemish idea took possession of
him.
Unlocking the wicker cage he flew
round to Plumpthimbles, and made
him a present of the doves.
The Plumpthimbles were overjoyed
nothing could exceed Spofflns kind
ness-they were just what they had
always longed for.
Spofflns received their thanks with
gloomy reserve, and went home. He,
Maria, and Jane passed a quiet night
and had breakfast without the usual
irritating accompaniment of cooling.
But, alasl only day elapsed and the
birds were returned. Plumpthimble
didn't want them.
"What shall we do?" sobbed Mrs. S.,
as the cooling began again.
"Do? Why, give 'em to Stiffback,'
replied Spofflns.
The birds had not been five minutes
in the house when they were sent to
Stiffback as present, with the kind
est greetings. That evening the Stiff
backs called and thanked Spofilns
exuberantly for such a thoughtful and
delightful gift.
On the following day. however. back
came the doves with message from
them.
With an expedition born of subdued
anger, Spoflns sent them to Miss
SILVER of Sparrowfield Park. "An
old maids sure to like them" said
Spoflns, considering within himself
that he mad finally got rid OF them for
good.
Jane returned with the doves in a
very short time, with a message from
Miss Shiver to say that she had kept
doves before, and didn't want them.
Nobody seems to want them,
groaned Spoffins, and then in dispaii
he sent them to the Red Lion Hotel
which let apartments to newly mar
ried couples.
The proprietor thought the present
a very delicate compliment. and he
thought his guests would appreciate
the novelty.
The business of the hotel declined
SO rapidly after forty-eight hours
cooling that it seemed probable that
the doves would be it's only tenants
The landlord was not man to give
anything back or away, so he organ
lied a rattle for the doves. One might