The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-09-21

which the conventional Frenchmal
thinks presented by Waterloo bridg,
In November. Through maze of sor
did and crowded streets / wended my
unwilling way, with many doubts as tt
the route and not few remarks, b,
no means soto voce, on the natives
part on my appearance, and the glas
in my eye, which seemed to act OF
them as an irritant. Ultimately in {
very grimy street with many stalls of
l suppose, vegetable produce, fount
the shop where the parrot was foi
sale. / went in, and the mere odol
which greeted me was in itself tes
of my love for Alice. Cats, rats, birds
rabbits and guinea pigs were in profu
sion, and liberal allowance of chair
permitted IL fox terrier of the most ac
tive disposition to snap at my legs
causing me to jump aside on pen o.
Cochin Chinas, which l upset, and my
own equanimity also. just when most
required it for diplomatic triumph.
The proprietor, very grimy and mo.
rose man, in slouched hat and dirty
shirtsleeves, and putting, | think, the
very rankest shag | ever smelt, stood
behind his counter eyeing me silently.
When | had replaced the Cochin Chi
mas in their position, which didn't i'm
prove my gloves, broached my errand
and said l had heard of a parrot which
was rather accomplished, negligently
| limiting | had had many experiences OF
similarly talented birds, and might, at
fair price, buy it; to all of which the
proprietor made no reply, but smoked
contemplatively and looked at me
somewhat sardonically. AT last he
condescended to reply, at the same
time reflling his pipe:
eff ever yer saw par rot, mister, to
ekal mine, I'm Dutchman."
This WAS point had not come to
discuss. But it was necessary to pro-
pitiate him, so observed had heard
the bird was fine talker.
"Torker!" answered the proprietor,
scornfully, "why, she'd tork any bloom
in masher's head off," with a personal
application which was marked, land
French as well as English, answer
questions, tell the time; in fact, the
ole bag O. tricks. Tork, indeed!''
"And what is the price of the birdp"
said l, coming to the point.
1.-The price of that bird is twenty
pun-and no less"
This was rather "facer." / was
determined, on the great principle of
the sprat for the salmon, to pay for the
bird out of my own pocket, and mag
unanimously insist on refusing to take
farthing, presenting it to dear Mrs.
Hillstone Gold wretch) as proof of my
regard and esteem. But twenty pounds!
nothing, of course, to that well-to-do
vulgarianess, if / may coin word, but
to me, who had limited salary and
unlimited tastes, a great deal. How
ever, it was quite clear the individual
before me was not to be diplomatized
into any reduction of price. So, after
a brief inward struggle, l resolved to
pay the money and get in some way an
enormous profit for the expenditure
"You say the bird talks French and
"Yes. Find one like 'er, mister, if
you can."
'".And is in good health and plum
ageP" l added, congratulating myself
on my business-like aptitude.
"Why, yer don't think I'm such a
fool as to keep my birds in
bad 'elth. do yerP" said this truculent
man, while the fox terrier growled
"rm an honest man,
am"
really felt in this wild region some
what nervous, especially as some of the
natives were looking into the shop.
So to close the interview, said: ''Well,
I'll give you the price you ask"
The proprietor made no movement
and looked at me silently, then quietly |
II know yer won't"
l felt annoyed, but he was too for
for me to show my annoyance. |
Did he doubt my ability to produce the
,ashP Calming myself l repeated, "rll
pay twenty pounds to you for that
bird"
81 know yer won't" repeated the
and some of his friends
aughed approximately.
"And why not, thenP" said I,
y-at which they laughed
again, and most Extensively
"Cos that there birds Sold"
''Soldp" repeated, while the audi
,nce laughed more than ever, and one,
he wit. suppose, with brutal famili-
lrity, said: ''And SO are your
"Why didn't you say SOP" / replied,
% which the proprietor answered, he
,'posed COS / didn't ask him, which
another ebullition of merriment.
To be the cause of wit In others is un-
pleasant anywhere, in my opinion, but
n the case of Bethnal Green group
annoying. o that ridicu-
GUS enthusiasm of mine!
However, i was really in doubt what
% do, for, having said I'd buy the old
woman parrot, didn't choose after
! flourish on my own trumpet-the
'nly performance, by the way, Badger
ays in which 1 shine-but let that pass
to go back and confess my diplomacy
It discount.
"That there birds sold to party in
Russell square," the proprietor con-
inued, but needed him not, though /
lid afterward. What was the best