The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-06-23
LITTLE PET CAME BACK.
Liberated Before Civil War, Turtle Too
Bio to Keen When Found.


WALL" said old Ed Atwen, as soon
as he had succeeded in getting his pipe
going satisfactorily, Il never cared
none fer cats O. dogs, O. SIGH like pets,
but by gol, 1 he'd mud turtle once,
that set a heap o. store by"
There was quite a crowd gathered
IN the Green Harbor village store one
day last summer Willing away the
time, and the talk had veered around
to pet animals. Ed had held his peace
for long time, but at last, when ev-
cry one had told his story, the weather.
beaten fisherman broke the silence.
Il ketched the turtle down in the
canal" he continued, way back be-
fore the war. 1 KEEP him awhile, but
when President Lincoln called fer
troope I listed long with the other
fellers. The night before 1 lef home
1 cut my name in the little feller's shell
an let him go. By gol, hated ter do
it, tell yer. 1 set a heap O. store by
him.
The end Of the day, last Wednesday,
found VIII Finnott who drives the
butcher cart through the dusty high
way Of Marshfield and Green Harbor,
tired out. The days work had been
long and weary, from sun up to gray
dusk he had been cutting rib roasts,
rurnp steaks and lamb chops until he
was sick 90 the hui DANCED business"
Betsy, his old mare, shared his feelings
and logged along at a snaiPs pace,
adapting her speed to the qualities of
the road.
The warm May sun had long ago
sunk behind the low hills of Marsh
field, but the air was still hot and dry.
Wills thoughts unconsciously turned
toward his supper.
Flap, flap, flap, flap went the harness
about old Betsy; cre-eak, cre-eak.
groaned the cart, in so perfect rhythm
that before he knew it the cadence
lulled him to sleep.
Suddenly old Betsy gave a loud snort
and, for the first time in years, SHE'D
violently, waking Will from his pleas
ant dream.
whoa, girl" he cried. whats the
matter with We? Can't We keep in the
road like a good Christian mare?
Whoa, tell ye"
Betsey obeyed and came to a full
stop, her limbs trembling and her eyes
rolling about in terror. Will descended
from his seat. No sooner had he reach
ed the horses head than he, too, '.feIt
summat queer" His blood ran cold.
and icy shivers played tag up and
down his back. There in the middle
of the road was a horrible monster.
the like of which he had never seen
before. In the dim shadows of the
evening it seemed to cover the width
of the road.
.In bet it's devil fish, calculated
VIII to his equine companion. and. seiz-
ing big club, he drew nearer for a better
view One good look and then his hearty
i egh could have been heard away up in
Gee he cried. "the DANCED things
nuthin but a whacking big mud turtle
And sure enough. what had SO badly
frightened VIII and old Betsy was only
mammoth turtle. Thrusting his stick
under the shell by dfnt of much hard work
WIN turned the uncouth creature over on
its back. Its huge neck and its legs
waved frantically as it endeavored to
When Will was celebrating what he
should do with his capture two neighbors
grove BY They were greatly interested
IN the turtle and jest ter see what he'd
treated to surprise as great as that
which had Jared Will For clearly carved
upon the monsters back were the words
e. Atwell, 1860"
There sat old Ed smoking and taIISino
with his cronies. The turtle was brOuehf
up and placed in front of him. Holding a
lantern close, so that he could see plainly
ote ruoeiy carved shell. he slowly picked
out the letters. Then he Strengthened his
spare shoulders, spat at the stove with
unerr1ng accuracy and said:
BY gol. L set a heap o. store by thet
little turtle onct. but 1 guess I'll let him
go; Ye see, I'm Citing ruther old fer
peCS.-B0Ston Journal