Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1885-12-04
MISS SHARPLY'S PARROT.

Mrs. Nanderslice's generally har-
monious set OF boarders were in
state of commotion, and the cause of
IL all was the pretty little widow. Mrs.
Rhoade>.
The widow herself appeared the
only composed person in the house.
As she sat alone. busy with her yarn.
or one end OF the porch, her dignitied
serenity tended To increase the irrita-
bilit, OF the cotcrie of ladies assem- led
on the other end.
Until this morning they had only
gone a. far rs forming "A clique, which
met every morning and exchanged
conlidences but when Mrs. Angelina
TImpson, fair. fat, and, her enemies
said, forty. appeared with her usually
beaming face clouded. and aunounc-
ed IN sepulchral tones, that lat last
she was compelled 10 admit there was
such thing a. being too charitable. "
there was general uprising OF the
cI cue, and the seven rockers were
pushed toward ber with such solicit
tude that two of them accidentally
came n contact with her feet, and
caused her to sit down rather uueX-
nttl HliA III llt Out NhtdACd w Adlls
tina Miss sharply and her parrot.
Miss Sharply mad arisen, but tho
parrot had evidently determined not
to bc disturbed; consequently. when
Mr., limpson suddenly occupied the
same seat. there was Il shrek from
Polly. and startled Mrs. 1impson rose
rs quickly as she had sat down.
- ANT YOU see, Mrs. Timpson?'
asked Miss sharply, in accents that
matched her name, - Polly few over
the s.dc OF the chair
.'Such porpoisc! such a porpoise."
screamed the parrot. using her mis-
tres, iaNorto expression when speak
ing of 5ir>. Iimpson in private.
''~uch nu sance as that bird is"
MR.. iinpsOn said after she was once
more comfortably seated, and the
owner OF the bird had gone oil in -
hun to comfort il. "lf Miss Sharply
only cOud Get married. Mrs. limp
son added. perhaps her disposition
would be better.
And her lsteners, anxious To hear
what The speaker had suffered from
her rharitableness, endeavOred to
smooth her ruilled spirits by unan.-
mously agreeing with her cruel re
mark, aud then sat and famed them.
selves, and waited patiently for Mrs.
TiIupson news.
Yes" she repeated, after she had
recovered her breath. lat last have
discovered there is such II thing rs
being too charitable; aud j. RI sing
her voice so that the fair look ny Wild
ow could not but help hear 'have
been made the unfortunate victim in
the house this morning. intend to
inform Mrs. Nandersl CO that unless
she can give us some satisfaction
about these mysterious accidents
" TIA a meaning glance at The widow.
"Mr. TmpsOn and myself will be
forced 10 find other accommodations. -"
IL III so glad YOU have taken the in
itiatory step. dear Mrs rmpsOn,
said old Mrs. Fairfield 1T was no
/ longer ago than this morning when |
! told my son Frederick that not even
for hun could stlnd the strain that
/ has been on INV nerves since here a
! glance of scorn was leveled at Mrs.
! khoades strangers have been al
] lowed 10 come.
"Ot course. Fred. couldn't think OF
: going away Mrs. Simpsons daugh-
ter. May, remarked, little sarcasti-
cally.
For Fred r. rlield had been remark
ably attentive 10 commonplace May
until the coming of the widow.
II see no reason why he would moi
leave. Mrs. Fairfield answered
on ckly.
AMI Mays mother. thinking her
daughter might be worsted in the
threatened encounter, resumed
Il feel very sorry to be the one tC
make a break in the select circle which
has met here for the past three years
bat after the disappearance of such ;
valuable as my diamond brooch"
What ~ screamed six voices, il
union
Yes Mrs. iimpson continued, 81
Ia Il my brooche on the toilet tabl,
| while ! drove Mr. Timpson TO tn,
station, and when | returned il wa
gone: vet must say that after know
Ing OF the daily occurrences in thi
house the past month, ! ought not I,
have doubted what YOU all told me" =
the occupant of the end OF the porcl
is the recipient of another horror
stricken gaze. And feel that rs W,
have already shown 80 much lenienc,
it is now my duty to demand some ex
PLANTATION from Mrs. Nanderslice.
never shrink my duty; intend L
wa on Mrs. Vanderslice immediate
ly."
"And j. and l." chorused the 81.
voices.
Dear me! what can il be? though
the plump little landlady when toll,
that the ladies would like her atten
ton awhile in the sitting room.
She Strengthened her cap. and has
tily threw aside her big apron. vision
of a watch or silver service presente,
by her boarders as testimonial o
their appreciation floating before he
eyes. One glance. however, at tn
solemn array of countenances ban
ished all such visions.
"Alrs. Vanderslice. commence
Mrs. Thompson, in tones TO match he
countenance, 81, or rather we-hav
come to perform very diagreeabl
act"
"Onc that should have been don
long ago." snapped Mrs. Sharply
who, after taking the parrot up stairs
had allowed her curiosity to overcom
tho memory of Polly's wrongs. and RI
| turned to the scene Of action.
For several weeks Mrs Timt