Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1885-04-20
Temperanee.
THE PARROTS STORY


She won't be bit of trouble to you,
because I'll take care of her,
"Take care of whom?" asked Mrs.
Lake.
"Why Polly, of course! She both
ers NJ. Scannell because he is sick,
and Mrs. Scannell says she can't
sell her, because she is a present
from old Captain Barron, Mrs.
Scannell's father, you know,) so
she'd like me to bring her over here
and take care of her for awhile. F."
pretty care you'd take of her"
said Mrs. Lake. But you may bring
her if you like. l am sorry to hear
Mr.. Scannell is sick. Is it the old
man, or the young man?'
cts the young one. [ don't
think he is sick much, because he
was out in the yard when Mrs. Scan
nell stopped me at the gate awhile
ago; but he was looking as cross as
bear. May l go, and bring her
now, mamma? l want to hear her
talk"
Having received permission, Tom
scampered off, and soon returned,
bringing cage containing large
green parrot, who looked wonderfully
wise and solemn, but obstinately de-
clined to let us hear her voice. Tom,
after vainly endeavoring to persuade
her to show off, went away to play
with his spaniel, and it was tea-time
before we saw him again. Then he
seemed to have quite forgotten Polly
in newer subject of interest.
"Mamma, did you see Drunken
Dan going down the street awhile
ago." asked he. "There were lot
of boys following him, and barking,
and playing they were deerhounds,
and he was the deer.
"They ought to have been asham-
ed of themselves p said Mrs. Lake.
'Why, they were just driving him
home," returned Tom. His sister
likes them to do it because when he
comes out of Sharp's saloon he is too
drunk to know which way he is 60
ing. Old Hubbard mean Mr..
Hubbard-told US in school that the
Romans or Spartans or some other
old coots, used to make their slaves
get drunk so the children could see
them tnmbling around, and learn
what nasty thing drunkenness was
and he said we boys ought to look
at Drunken Dan and take warning.
This is the way he was walking along
the street this afternoon"
And Tom had begun to stagger
across the room, in imitation of
Drunken Dams mode of progression
when he was brought to standstill
by a loud hoarse voice exclaiming,
"Drunk again, are you?''
"Why, Polly!" cried Tom, rushing
up to the cage. You've found your
tongue have you? Shake hands, old
gal!'
But the only reply to this saluta-
ton was, "Oh, your pretty fell
low !"
Let her alone, Tom, and come and
get your tea," said Mrs. Lake.
"Let your wife alone, you blasted
brute,!" exclaimed Polly, where upon
Tom laughed, but Mrs. Lake looked
grave, and said,
Poor Carrie Scannell !"
"Poor girl Poor girl He shan't
hurt you !" responded Polly prompt
ly.
''She talks like old Mr.. Scannel.''
said Tom. she passed by the
school-house the other day, at recess,
and saw Ned Myers hit his sister 8
kick, and he scolded awhile, and
then caught Ned and shook him as il
he was a kitten. / tell you / shouldn't
like him to get hold of me, for he is
the strongest man in the foundry, sc
Mr.. Jones says"
sect out or I'll maui you!'' sale
Polly. go to Sharp's where you
belong J"
"Oh, Polly, hush your noise, anc
eat your support exclaimed Mrs
Lake impatiently.
And when Tommy had left thu
room, she said to me in an under
tone, as if that sharp bird might b.
listening, II can understand nov
why Mrs. Scannell never has smil
for me when | meet her on the street
1t is well that her father-in-law live
with her. He is a sober man, and a
strong as a giant. When l hear
that young Scannell had left tn
foundry, l had my doubts as to it
being on account of ill-health. We
what is it now, Tom"
''Do you know where my rocking
horse is?'' asked Tom. II want t
run him as DR.. Stanley was runnin
his horse when he passed the fror
gate just now. He went scooting b
like flash of lightning
(which way was he going?" ash
ed Mrs. Lake.
down towards the foundry.
suppose somebody has got hurt dow
there"
But the next day, when DR.. Star
ley came to cut little Minnie Lake
gums, we learned the cause of h
haste. Mrs. Scannell had take
morphine by mistake for quinn
and it had come very near provir
fatal