The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1903-02-25
CUPID AND THE
PARROT
BY Elizabeth Cherry Waltz
Copyright, 790a, bg the
S. s. Mcclure Company


The captain was jolly man of fifty
one, with fine blue eye and pleasant
II rather reserved manner. He stood
at the door of a neat cottage one morn
ing in spriLg with rather disconsolate
air.
Il do miss Sis Therese," he said re-
gretfully, "and her dying so unexpect
ed-like has upset all my ideas of life
He turned and gaZed ruefully at the
comfortable sitting room, now in the
utmost disorder. On the top of the
sewing machine box paraded fine
gray and red parrot that seemed to ell
Joy the situation.
Hello. captain!' she cried. Ship
ahoyr'
wish there was. Polly" retorted the
captain, but there's none in sight. Ill
go down town and advertise for Il
jbousekceper to clean up this place
Ship ahoy. ship ahoy.." screamed
the parrot. and again the captain re-
u us 0S lOShSu luS OOOA.
i II wish there was, Polly
After be had put an advertisement
in several newspapers the captain
walked slowly along the streets to-
ward the markets His eye caught
sight of i large blue and white sign,
Servants Supplied
ut viii not do any harm for me to
stop in there" quoth the captain.
AS he stepped into the entry he saw
q woman hesitaiing in front of him.
The captain declared ever afterward
that when she turned, about You could
have knocked ne down with Il feath-
er." She was not Il girl. but woman
approaching middle age and with
pale and gentle face
"Scuse me. ma'am. l am trying to
fnd me housekeeper.
The wornaB looked intently at him.
Il am trying to find q place where I
can do something" she said YEARLY.
'Yf you would not mind trying to put
up with me and my Polly eagerly
began the ca plain.
.Is Polly your wife," she queried.
! "Oh. no: she's the parrot
| The woman hesitated.
2 Il have always lived in the coun-
try" she answered. but my brother
died. and thought / could do better
in the city. haven't money enough to
go back-in fact, haven't any at ALL"
The captain looked at her and speed
lily grasped the facts of the case.
'-I'm most old enough to be your IA
ther," he said kindly. although he was
not, "and you must come right along
and straighten up that house for Polly
and me. First we will get some break
fast"
An hour later the captain unlocked
the house door. Polly. much excited at
the advent Of woman. swung and
screamed in her cage:
Captain. ship ahoy! Captain. ship
ahoyr'
A week went by. and the burly cap
tain stood trimming his grapevines
when he saw Il woman Of rather gem
erous proportions coming in at the
trent gate. followed by a boy carrying
large ralise He knew that this must
be Ills sister Melinda from California.
who conld not attend her sisters fll-
neral on account of Illness His spirits
sank lower and lower as he climbed
the back steps. The new housekeeper
had proved quiet. clean and very indus
friouS. Polly was never happy unless
she was i'm sight, In short. his sorrow
for tie death OF Sister Thcresc was
ROW softcneti because of no lack Of
creature comforts
In the little sitting room Polly began
angrily screaming. One Of the first
acts Of tie newcomer WAS to throw
heavy wrap eyer tho cage.
Youth smother her" said Il quiet
voice. III take her out Oh the porch
.Who are you. anyhow" quoth an
5rate female voice. "Where's the cap
tain?''
Here am" said that individual
weakly. appearing at the door. I've
didn't expect you. Melinda"
II suppose not. l came us soon rs
could. Theresc left ne all her things,
you see
The captain looked about him, much
amazed
!; what thEgs?"
''W'hy, the housekeeping things. You
won't want to keep house. You can
board"
Nc: | won't bo:;r;!."' protested the
captain Polly and ne are comforta-
bic right here
"But you cannot live this way" re-
peated the California sister. You will
be stolen from ana imposed upon.
ThercSe wrote me that if she ever had
20 go 10 come right on and byeak up
for yo;,. So I've come
: The captain :c;tZed ut her. awestruck,
fascinated at her daring What wonl-
an was this, even Of his own blood.
,who would so ruthleSSly destroy all
sjs comforts? The captain began to
TeaIize He went out On TO the porch
nd brought in the parrot.