Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 200, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 August 1910 — No Love for the Turtle. [ARTICLE]

No Love for the Turtle.

“The only living thrng in this place that nobody ever tries to pet is the turtle,” said the animal dealer. “There are certain tones of the voice, certain pats and punches that all animals are especially responsive to. Parrots like to be rubbed at a certain spot on the top of the head, a magpie is happiest when somebody is scratching him under the wings, and certain other birds have a preference for tickling under the chin. The dogs, the cats, the mice and the snakes are partial to a particular kind of love making, and every day we have visitors who know enough about natural history to pet each bird and beast according to its likes—everything, that Is, but the turtle. Nary a pat nor a punch nor a tickle does anybody bestow upon him. Sometimes I feel sorry for the poor old chap floundering In his pool in solemn loneliness. Touched to compassion by the affecting picture, the visitor extended a hesitating hand. “How do you pet a turtle, anyhow?" was asked. “Give it up,” said the dealer. “I never got very intimate with ’em myself."