Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1898-12-15

out a sound poor puss dropped on to
my flower bed as dead as the proven
bal door nail.
short dura ton, for to my horror and
dismay, on proceeding to pick up his
unfortunate carcass and give 1t de-
cent burial, / saw that my shot had
passed right through the unlucky
animal and K, led my neighbours par
rot, which had been put ont to sun It
self in little summer house that
stood at the bottom of the garden.
/ was staggered at my position; |
knew the parrot was a supreme IA
vorite with Miss Travers, and how
could ever explain my carelessness |
could not imagine, Suddenly a way
out Of my dilemma presented itself to
my mind, and | fastened TO put il into
execution. | knew that the Travers
were out, and would not be back for
some little time, so hurrying indoors
and taking my own parrot from It's
cage, ! carefully painted the end OF its
tail with red ink in imitation of its
deceased comrade. and finding no one
was about, ] stepped lightly over The
fence ana substituted the living for the
dead bird which / buried, together
with the cat in my own garden. |
knew that my parrot would not readi-
" talk before strangers, and | hoped
It's new surroundings, 1t would have
| forgotten its former accomplishments
at any rate, / musl risk 1t.
Alas Uneasy lies the head that
wears a crown" sang some poet, who,
| expect never wore anything harder
than nighteap, but, true as 1t may
be, compared TO the torture of my
mind, now launched on course of
duplicity, it would be a bed OF roses.
II was toward the end OF the fol-
| lowing week that | happened to be
out in the garden and saw my old
| friend come stumping down the path
I of his own garden in his dot-and-
carry-one style. and, seeing me on the
| fence, he cried:
"Holloa, captain, you're quite a
stranger What's been up? Rachael
| has been talking about coming in to
| inquire about your health, as she was
afraid something must be wrong.
/ yes, have been bit poorly" said
/ l. Oh! how easily the words slipped
out, although | had been as right as
Independently that particular sum
/ should be enduced with more recti-
| tude than It's fellows have never been
able to discover-this by the way.
"a bit OF cold, perhaps" said Capt.
Travers. Well, come over the fence
and have a good glass OF something
stiff for a nightcap."
Principally at O'Clock donned my
sprucest attire, and with smart
dover in my buttonhole-gay dog
that / was slipped over the fence.
Miss Rachael was there, looking as
| fresh as a spring cabbage with the
dew on 1t, which l consider very
pretty simile, and she babe me well
come with one of her beaming smiles.
! There, too, was the unlucky parrot in
! it's cage, and standing just outside
! the 6uIlmtI uOuSts nhu uotlCSu
that it had been set out to sun itself as
usual on all fine days, and as far as
/ could see nothing had transpired to
make me think they had any cause to
/ suspect my imposition.
! ] purposely sat with my back to 1t,
way whatever
Tea went off all right; my old friend
was very CHEEKY and Miss Rachael
/ showed me great attention. | could
hear Polly rubbing her beak up and
down the wires OF the cage, and swing
ing backwards and forwards in the
metal ring.
After the meal Capt. Travers went
indoors to get his supply OF neces-
sares for the evening, and, turning to
me, Miss Travers commented:
By-the-by. Capt Manley, how is
your parrot? | have not seen it out
in the garden lately"
felt by heart beating bit faster,
but with every semblance OF outward
calm, said;
No the fact is, it's not been at all
we'll; in fact, It's dead.
Dead, she exclaimed. Well. ]
never. what did It die OFF,
Il really don't know" / replied. 1T
! died quite suddenly about a week
ago"
II hope our Polly isn't going TO fol-
I low suit she continued. She has
/ been very duh and quiet the last few
days, bat seems bit more lively this
evening. | don't think she has spoken
| a word al. the week
Thank goodness" inwsrdiy
calculated
Things were beginning 10 look bit
/ awkward, and / cast about for some
( thing to change the course OF CONVEX
sation. am not quick thinker,
however, and before could collect my
/ wlts, Miss Travers continued
/ Dear dear, to think your poor
/ Polly's dead! Well, am sorry!
snould be sorry TO lose you, Polly
dear" she said. addressing the par
rot; But really, Capt. Manley," look
iup me- straight in the face Il can [