Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1904-01-08
A TURKEYS FLIGHT.
Funny incident Of General Washlngton's
Visit to Bedford In 1894.

The stone dwelling on the corner Of the
village square i'm Bedford was then oc-
ctlpled by William McDermett, a Scotch
man, and his English wife. lie was the
pioneer among steel manufacturers in this
country, and his wife was a woman OF
birth, breeding and quite unusual edu-
cation who had left wealth and ease to
follow the fortunes Of the man she loved.
Very varied fortunes they were, but OF
all the strange tales of her experiences
with which she delighted her children and
grandchildren the one oftenest demand
ed was this true story Of President Wash
ington's turkey. such a turkey.-One that
bv good luck and management had ar
rived at the very acme of perfection ex-
actly at this most suspicious time. With
what n mighty spread of pinions had he
flown straight to the hunters lure! And
nobly had the marksman met his enthu-
siastic desire to render up his life for
Washington: no stray shot would be found
among the tender meat to disconcert his
Excellencv Could the turkey himself
have selected the one in all that region
hest qualified to contribute to the glory
of his taking off, undoubtedly Mrs. Nc
Dermett would have been his choice
| Therefore we may feel confident that
when General Washington and his staff
sat down at dinner, it was with well justi-
| fed complacency that their host prepared
| to carve the piece de resistance when 1t
should be placed before him.
Between the kitchen and the dining
| room was a passage lighted by one win
| dow. about the height of a mans Shout
der. and an aleyway ran along this side
of the house. The window was open and
| through IL for hours had been waited a
| mingling of delicious odors as the prepa-
rations for the dinner progressed.
lust at the moment when the hostess
was carrying the turkey through this mar
| IN ri
umphal entry into the dining room, SOL
dier's arm was thrust through the win
dow, a hand seized the bird by the legs.
| and in a twinklng Mrs. McDermett was
left staring at an empty dish, while fly
| ing feet beat the road as the hungry thief
made off with his prize.
| Poor Mrs McDermett, thus robbed Of
her turkey and her triumph at the very
| crowning moment of success, after a
| pause of helpless CONSERVATION, marched
! bravely forward to face her husband s
chagrin, her guests disappointment, and
Washington s-ah! what would President
| Washington think or say?
! Putting down the empty platter before
the astounded host. amid the quizzical
surprise of the staff officers, she told her
story of the soldier-thief, and then over
come with modification, turned with a
sob to apologize to Washington. Aris-
ing from his place, he took her hand and
! CALAMITY kissed. it. saying: Think no
more of it, my dear madam" with a mo-
| ton toward the we'll furnished table
surely | can say with your countryman,
Sir Philip Sidney, His need is greater
| than mine
1t is no wonder that in after years. Mrs.
| McDermett avowed that to be thus con-
soled by General Washington was well
worth all the chagrin and embarrassment
that had been caused by the sudden loss
Of the turkey From president Wash
ington's Turkey Dinner" in December St.
/ Nicholas.