WHAT'S TO BE DONE WITH THE TURKEY.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2622, 4 June 1877, Page 3

WHAT'S TO BE DONE WITH THE TURKEY.

A lively brochure under the title of " What's to be done with the Turkey ? or, John Bull's Dilemma," has just been published by Messrs W. Mullan & Son, . Paternoster Bow. It is evidently modelled on " Dame Europa's School" and "The Blot on the Queen's Head." It is written with a good deal of force and spirit, and the author has sustained the allegorical style of treatment with considerable skill.. Mr and Mrs Bull are the superintendents of a quiet farmyard in the country. For a long time the inhabitants of the yard have suffered much froai the cruelties of the turkey—a swollen, greedy, cruel, and swaggering tyrant. The other occupants of the farmyard introduced into the story are the " Russian Eig, ''■ and the cock." Mr Turey was a great favorite of MJt Bull's and he would hear no evil of it. " A good; fat, harmless fellow," Mr Bull would say, "his only fau't was laziness." One morning there is a great commotion in the farmyard. Mr Bull walks to the window in order to see what was the cause of the commotion. For a moment he failed to see the cause of the hubbub ; but suddenly his eye fell on a group in the centre of the yard. There, struggling under the powerful grip of the Turkey, whose beak was already red with blood, was the poor little Servian cock of w4ii»]L!.iis wife had spoken, the finest and plucipk of its kind. Although seemingly at the last gasp it was still strug-gling-bravely, and actually drawing blood from the thick skin of its opponent, who was red and gobbling with rage. J I Close behind the Turkey, apparently urging-.him on, and at all events making no effort to save the tiny victim, was a queer-looking youth with long corkscrew ringlets and. a wrinkled old-fashioned face. He was clad in corduroy breeches and coarse stockings and shoes, he was in his shirtsleeves, and he wore on his head a fine velvet cap, prettily ornamented with a device like an Earl's coronet.

He had received the cap as a reward of good conduct at the neighboring Sundayschool; but for all that he was not a pious boy, and much preferred playing at odds and evens in Church to listening to the gushing sermons. Directly he caught his master's eye the boy withdrew from the combatants, put his hands in his pockets, and bepan to whistle innocently and look at the sky. Mr Bull threw up the window.: "Benjy." " Yes, master." "Pull off/that Turkey at once, or there'll be murder done. Look sharp."

But by this time the little cock had shaken himself free. Bloody from head to foot, he stcod on tip-toe, stretched out his tiny throat, arid began to crow. "How did it begin, Ben ?" asked his master.

Ben cast an angry lbokin the direction of the cock.

" The little 'un began it," he replied ; they're that aggravating,' these bantams. I see him —pointing to the cock—strutting up and down before the Turkey's face, and before I knew what was up, had sprung up and pricked him with his spurs. The poor old Turkey's badly hurted sir, and I'd like to ring the little brute's neck."

Ben is, of course, the farmer's boy. He is described as rather a mischievous youth, foud of excitement and fine clothes. He has supplanted William, a, boy of a very different stamp, noted for his goodcharac-; ter and his love of books. There is much argument between Mr Bull and his wife as to what should be dope with the Turkey. A solemn conference is held on the subject, and William proposes that the Kussien pig should be let loose and ■etupon the Turkey. This is how Mr Ball sums up the Conference and decides the question. Mr Bull thiew himself into a chair, and for a long time remained plunged in deep cogitation. ;- The two boys stood by watching with eager eyes; while Mrs Bull, knowing her husband's temper quietly busied herself with household matters.

Finally the honest man looked up with no Very amiable expression of countenance. . . ' .-:

"It'sa badjthing," he said, "thatmatters can't go on peaceably, especially at Christmas time. Look here, William ; I suppose you've heard that Christmas is the time for peace on earth, goodwill to all things?". -;r" Except Turkeys,". said William, smiling. "Except nothing," said Mr .Bull. " Bah, you're a bit of a prig, William." "Thank you, sir." " And as for you, Ben, you're not much better, and if you don't conduct .yourself in a more "becoming way you and I shall quarrel. The fact is I'm pleased with neither of you. "You're only trying to: serve your own ends and not thinking about tny interests at all. One has to make an angel of the Turkey, the other glorifies the pig, and both ought to know better." ■ !>■:■'■ '■ ' ■ '■■ ■ ■

So saying Mr Bull was goingtoleave the room, .when his wife cried oat \: """..." "■.'.". ' ' •'' :.'::' : 11 But, Mr Bull, you haven't decided what's, to be: done with the Turkey " The farmer turned savagely; bis face as red as the Turkey's comb. : :

'.' I tell you ; whatit is,", lie cried, " I'm sick of the whole-business. 'If peace is not kept in the farmyard I'll astonish the lot of you. For the time being the 'Turkey>will be let'alone and closed tight in his coup, and the pig will be shut up inliis.stye ;.and I look-to you Ben to see this done. If: ever this fuss begins again"— . .. ;■ John; Bull paused as if preparing to take a-great oath.

"If ever it begins again,; mark my word?, before nest Christmas, old as the Turkey is and tough, I'll eat him/ L "William smiled. Ben looked dejected. : " But, mind you, when the day comes that I do eat him he'll be served up in the usual way, with a string of sausages around him 5 and these sausages——" "Yes, yes," cried Mrs Bull. " Will be the very'last you'll see of the pig."—rS.A. Protestant Advocate.