Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1885-11-26
MISS SHARPLY'S PARROT.

Mrs. Vanderslce's generally har-
mOnious set of boarders were in a
state OF commotion, and the cause of
IL all was the pretty little widow, Mrs.
RhOades.
The widow herself appeared the
only composed person in the house.
AS she sat alone, busy with her yarn,
on one end of the porch, her digniiied
serenity tended 10 increase the irrita-
bilty OF the cotprie of ladies assembled
on the other end.
Until this morning they had only
gone as far as forming Clique, which
met every morning and exchanged
condolences; but when Mrs. Angelina
Timpson, fair, fat, and, her enemies
sa d, forty, appeared with her usually
beaming face clouded, and announc-
ed in sepulchral tones, that lat last
she was compelled to admit there was
such thing rs being too charitable.
there was u general up-r sing of the
clique. and the seven rockers were
pushed toward ner with such solicit
tude that two of them accidentally
came n contact with her feet, and
caused her TO sit down rather unex-
pectedly III the one vacated by tall,
thin Miss Sharply and her parrot.
Miss Sharply had arisen, but the
parrot had evidently determined not
to be diSturbed; consequently, when
Mrs. Timpson suddenly occupied the
same scat, there was Il shrek from
Polly, and startled Mrs. Tmpson rose
as quickly rs she had sat down.
Cant you see, Mrs. Timpsonp"
asked Miss Sharply, in accents that
matched her name, as Polly flew over
the side OF the chair.
"Such porDoise! such porpoisem
screamed the parrot, using her mis-
tress' tavor.te expression when speak
ing of Mrs. Timpson in private.
Such MI sance rs that bird isW
Mrs. Timpson said. after she was once
more comfortably seated, and the
owner OF the bird had gone oil in u
hun 10 comfort it. ''lf Miss Sharply
only could get married." Mrs. limp
son added. perhaps her disposition
would be better.
And her listeners, anxious to hear
what the speaker had suffered from
her charitableness, endeavored to
smooth her rui1led spirits by unanl-
mously agreeing with her cruel re-
mark, aud then sat and famed them.
selves, and waited patiently for Mrs.
, Timpson news.
"Yes." she repeated, after she had
recovered her breath, lat last l have
discovered there is such thing as
being too charitable; and l." RI sing
her voice SO that the fair look ng wild
ow could not but help hear shave
been made the unfortunate ctim in
| the house this morning. | intend to
inform Mrs. Vandersl CO that unless
she can give us some satisfaction
about these mysterious accidents
w tn q meaning glance at The widow,
"Mr. TimpsOn aud my self will be
| forced to find other accommodations"
"Im so glad you have taken the in
itiatory step, dear Mrs. Timpson,
said old Mrs. Fairfield alt was no
longer ago than this morning when
told my son Frederick that not even
| for h m could | st md the strain that
has been on nv nerves since"-here a
glance of scorn was leveled at Mrs.
khoades strangers have been al
lowed to come
"Of course. Fred. couldn't think of
, going away" Mrs. Simpsons daugh-
| ter, May, remarked, a little sarcasti-
| cally.
For Fred Fa 'rfield had been remark
ably attentive to commonplace May
until the com NO of the widow.
IL see no reason why he would not
leave" Mrs. Fairfield answered,
gu ckly. %
And Mays mother. thinking her
daughter might be worsted in the
threatened encounter, resumed:
Il feel very sorry to be the one to
make break in the select circle which
has met here for the past three years;
but after the disappearance of such q
| valuable as my diamond brooch"
"What J" screamed six voices, in
union.
yes" Mrs. limpson continued, Il
lad my brooche on the toilet table
while drove Mr.. Timpson to the
station, and when returned it was
gone; yet must say that after know
ing OF the daily occurrences in this
house the past month, ought not to
have doubted what you all told me-
the occupant of the end of the porch
is the recipient of another horror
stricken gaze. "And feel that as we
have already shown so much leniencs
it is now my duty TO demand some ex-
| PLANTATION from Mrs. Vanderslice.
never shrink my duty; l intend to
wa I on Mrs. Vanderslice Immediate
ly."
"And IL and Ip' chorused the six
| voices.
dear me! what can it be? thought
the plump little landlady when told
that the ladies would like her atten.
ton awhile in the sitting room.
She straigh.ened.sher cap, and has
tly threw aside hen. big apron, visions
of watch or silver service presented
BY her boarders as a testimonial o.
their appreciation floating before heI
eyes. One glance. however, at the
solemn array of countenances ban
ishod all such visions.
"Mrs. Vanderslce, commenced
Mrs. Thompson, in tones to match heI
countenance. 81, or rather we-havt
come to perform a very diagreeablt
act"
"Ono that should have been done
long ago." snapped Mrs. Sharply
who, after tax ny the parrot up stairs
had allowed her curiosity to overcome
tho memory of Polly's wrongs, and re