DEAR JACK: Looking over the fence into my neighbor's yard last
summer, I saw what seemed to be a Liliputian load of hay in a tiny
cart, going along the path. Whatever power drew it, was hidden
from my sight; but the motion of the cart made me half expect to
see a yoke of tiny oxen turn the corner. In a few moments, a small
turtle appeared in sight, plodding leisurely along and drawing
behind him the cart I had seen, which was very small and light.
I was assured by my little neighbor that the turtle liked the
business very much; but, belonging to the S. P. C. A., I felt
obliged to know the facts. I found that the turtle had his liberty
nearly all the time, and a pond of water specially for his use;
and that, when the haying season should end, he would be turned
out to pasture in his native bog for the rest of the year.
It was a very comical sight, and, knowing my little friend's
tenderness of heart, I was sure the turtle would receive nothing
but kindness at his hands. The shell was not pierced, but the
queer trotter was attached to the cart by means of a harness made
of tape, allowing him free movement of the head, legs, and tail.
If any of your boys should decide to follow my little friend's
example, I trust that they will be as gentle as he in the
treatment of their turtles.--Yours truly,