Eastern times., 1854-10-05

and offered lump Of sugar to its audacious
inmate, who, sezing hold. instead, of the in
truding finger, bit it until il bled, at which the
gentleman, Withdrawing it with groan of
mingled pain and rage, seized his hat, and,
without saying good morning, rushed out Of
the house, devoting TO universal destruction
all old maids and parrots.
Lisa, on returning from her morning walk,
found her aunt in paroxysm of anger equally
directed towards Mr.. Bliss and the bird, both
Of whom being insensible to her displeasure,
the only satisfaction that remained was to
abuse them to her neice; after which she re-
tired to the solitude of her chamber to soothe
her perturbed feelings.
Lisa, who could scarcely conceal her mrth
during her aunt's recital, went up to the cage
after her exit, and addressing the parrot, who
was intently eyeing her in expectation Of its
usual sweet bribe, said
'Oh you naughty darIing-not bit of
sugar shall you have after such behavior !
How could you treat poor, dear Mr.. Bliss so
badly such handsome fellow as he is, too =
La, MISS said the coored girl, who was
busting the room, what ever made you think
that old gentleman handsome 2
Il have never seen him, Sally said Lisa,
laughing, but as aunt told me so, of course |
rely on her good taste
He's well enough for such an old man, to
be sure, miss, only he's dreadful bald and
his housekeeper says he's for ever putin stuff
on his head TO make the hair grow, which
doesn't do bit of good for she says it'll new
er grow again.
Never grow again, screamed the parrot,
which so startled the maid, that she dropped
broom and duster, while Lisa hastened to stop
its mouth with bon-bon.
Meantime, Mr.. Bliss, on regainng his be-
loved retreat, sat down to his favorite studies,
fully determined never to enter Miss Thom-
sons doors again, and mentally vowing re-
venge against her for this and all other misde-
meanors.
1t happened, however, the same evening, as
he was walking in the garden, that his atten-
tion was attracted by graceful form fitting
through his neighbor's shrubbery, and so he
stopped near the paling, apparently TO prune
too-luxurious vine, fair face was turned
towards him, and pair of laughing blue eyes
glanced shyly at him amidst a profusim Of
golden curls that waved in the balmy breeze.
Alas, for the consistency of man
Who will believe that studious Mr.. Bliss
grave Mr.. Blss-woman-defying, parrot
scorning Mr.. Bliss, donned, the next afternoon,
his best coat, tied on his most becoming era
vat, and carefully brushing his hair over the
obnoxious vacancy, made another call on his
fair enemyl
You NAV be incredulous, gentle reader, but
Miss Thomson, confident in the ultimate pow
er of her charms, was not surprised at the un-
expected visit she felt there was a good
time coming, at last, and received Mr.. Bliss
with the feelings of a conqueror.
Fortunately, Lisa had taken out the parrot
for its daily airing, and her aunt therefore
feared no interruption to the interesting dis
course she anticipated, for she could not doubt
what such an early repeated visit on the part
Of her hitherto unsociable neighbor portended.
He was certainly vanquished at last, and after
graciously receiving his apologies for his abb
rupt departure on the previous day, she at
tributed the embarrassed pause that ensued to
a difficulty on his part as to the manner ill
which he should address her.
Her visitor, unconscious of the lady's rea-
sonable expectations, ignorant of the tremors
and pal lpitatons that assailed her as the anx-
iously hoped-for crisis in her life drew nigh,
at last rudely shattered her castles in the air
by summoning courage to ask if he should see
her fair niece, who he understood was staying
with her1
My niece 2 responded the startled lady.
Yes, ma am, said he, blandly; / heard
the young lady was here, and thought it only
civil to call and ask you both in to see my
museum
For moment Miss Thomson was too as
tonished to answer, but speedily regaining her
self-command, as she fancied she saw in this
request a round about way of soliciting and
enjoying her own company, she promised that
they would the next day inspect his curios-
ties and after lingering some moments in
hope of seeing the young lady herself, he was
reluctantly departing, when she gaily entered
the room, caressing the parrot that was
perched on her wrist.
My niece, Miss Lisa Thomson-Mr.
Bliss said her aunt, introducing the parties
Lisa courtesied, Mr.. Bliss bowed, and the
parrot catching the name opened her mouth
and spoke -
Dear Mr.. Bliss Handsome fellow!
The ladies looked dsmayed, while the gen.
tleman, nervously wiping his forehead to con-
ceal his confusion, displaced his well-arranged
locks and was greeted with the exclamation
No hair, old gentleman Never grow
again.
This is outrageous, madam, said our he
70, starting to his feet. Is it not sufficient
to ridicule me yourself, without teaching your
vicious parrot to initiate you!'
Miss Thomson, who was really shocked at
Polly's rudeness, hastened to assure him that
she was guiltless of the wrong-doing he i'm
puted to her. to which assertion he paid little