The mountain Democrat., 1864-05-07

r,
My wife spoke with indecision, but she
would secretly have been much disap-
pointed in me if had leaned toward sell
ing the bird, I knew; SO ] replied that
that must not be thought Of certainly
not and inquired, merely as a matter Of
curiosity, how the offer happened to be
made.
well, said my wife, Sally came down
stairs this afternoon, a, was taking last
look tn Jacks clothes, and especially 60
his buttons, poor lad-for it is not likely
that any WelShwoman will understand
such things-and who should be in the
parior but female in widows clothes,
sitting at our table with the parrot before
her, like poor savage worshipping an
idol. She had taken it down from its hook
outside and carried it in, notwithstanding
that 1t had sworn at her in manner
6rta'ais! to lister tOand was even then
far hom pacifed.
! Madam, l beg your pardon, exclaimed
the visitor; but this parrot is the most
admirable hrd'-
Pooh, pooh : cried Dick.
Its sa4acity,' pursued the widow, lis
i beyond all belief Now, | dote upon par.
rotS, especially black ones, that having
been my beloved husbands favorite co.or.
And if could only get possession Of this
admirable creature'-
'hi!l HE captain !-scutte the ship =
! screamed Dick.
By ray ing any compensation in reason,
| should consider myself truly fortunate.
/ Ot course, I'm taking great liberty.
have no right 10 c"mc INTO your house and
open negotiation Of this kind--I am
lully aware Of the FALSE position in which
have placed myseli--still. a voice from
| beyond the tomb seems to have ~ hi>percd
to me
'Io!dcr"'ol!' = exclaimed Dick, perform.
Ing Succession Of somersaulls withi his
"'dcd ring Who's your batter? ? How
y'ur poor trtt?'
'>erms 70 have whispered, rel Gated the
vi i"", ca,nly waiting until the bird had
tli>h,d his remarks Buy that parrot :;
huy it, cage and ALL Tnkr it home, ard
, treat It kindly 1t is impossible for me,
madam, To neglect sach a solemn iutima.
tion ot tie wishes Of the departed Five
pounds for the bird, and two ten for the
cage, is an offer which think YOU will
allow is handsome, and ought to be con.
rlu>ivc.'
And with these words She took ont her
purse, and laid down the money on the
tahIr.
i conic>S, George. that the sight Of 50
uHrh -! vas not "a little tempting; but
after ll>t.uue hook at It, 1 thanked her,
rnd 'adc her put it back a-ain, for that
Wltl IT, also thr nidtt r va one of feeling
ana III u,urY, ann tLat We could not pant
"ith pout Dlck upon any such considera-
tluu.
Ten for the bird and five for the cage
observed the visitor with quiet distinct
NJ =, ami doubling the sum AREA ~ spr, ad
hv!.re me. | hrsitattd tor a moment
iair,v fascinated tv the glitter of all this
treasure. | thonght Of score If things
that il wpuld buy for y"u and the chill
dreu, and I'D not know " hat to- dn.
Poor Duck, P"cr prk, poor Dick " re-
if"ratrd ihr larr t, lnorI nfu;!y. Give
'im do2en, keel haul him, tihow him
o'v' auaid.'
'Mr,.an.' cried I, 4 cannot sell that
bind; 50, Please. do not tempt me any
fu'tA,r'
Wei, Lacy, and you did quite right
quo'h |, ki>>r4 away a tear that iav upon
hcr honest check. And then suppose
The tru,it!cs> took herself off:'
No, returned my wife, she did not
and here cones the strangcst part Of the
story, aud tl,at which may have most in
tere>t for y'n and me. w ell, ii you won't
SCI your i&lrot,' sad the widow, in the
satne dctcrn.jr,d way as before, and with.
out any appearance of disappointment,
will y"u lend it to me for ii week in Au-
gust next: | VIII give you ten guineas
for the Ian of it,
Lend il, Lurvn
'Inat - cen taiuly what she said, George,
and ! tciied that would speak to yen,
and j: she woald call TO morrow at ten
O'clock let her know to what decision you
tad cuu.e.
At first, thought this offer could not
have proceeded from any but mad wo.
inan, and made mp my mind TO refuse her
request She might do SOM harm to our
parrot, and possibly even eat it; in which
case the law itself could aft rd US no re.
dr,SS Bat, on second thoughts, deter.
mined to see the woman myself before
rejcrting so favorable proposition. Ac.
cordiagly, delayed going to my usual
place Of business the next day until after
the hour named by the mysterious visitor.
As the clock struck ten she rang the door
bell, aud telling Sail = not to he in hurry
opening it, made recOgniZance through
the paiIm blind.
The widows cap framed a quiet, reS0-
lutte face and hard blue eyes, that certainly
exhibited no trace of insanity; her voice,
as she spoke to the servant, was calm and
collected; her garments were new and of
good material. II appearances were to be
trusted, She was not mad. and she was
solveut-two poi"ts about which | had
naturally the greatest so|icitude.
Mr. Wilson, conclude = observed she, !
that | see you in person, so that there
need be no more uncertainty about this |.
little affair. offered your wife ten cuin |
cas for the loan Of your black parrot from
the 9th to the 18th of August think |
that is handsome weeks rent for any
bird
Madam returned I, that is undoubt-
edly true; still. the proposition is such a
very uncommon one, that YOU must par.
don my hesitation in acceding to it. How
do know
'If you require references as guarantees
of my respettabiity,' interrupted the wild
ow, you may have bushel "f them. My
name is Hubble, live at SS4 Pitt street
was houSekeeper to the ate General Sir
Fiddle Fadle for twenty years; and my |
bankers are the MeSsrs Child. If you
are merely curious to know why l want