The wageworker. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1904-????, 1910-05-27
Lydia's
Legacy
A Parrot That First Brought
Trouble. Then a Husband
By CLARISSA MACKIE.
Copyright, 1910. by American Press
Association.


phraseology Of a country lawyer. 1t an
nounced that the widow of her uncle.
Sidney Ransom. had died a short time
ago. leaving to Lydia a legacy. The
lawyer went on to state that. although
Mrs. Ransom had never seen the niece
of her husband. she had been greatly
impressed by reports Of her kind and
amiable disposition. and SO to her low
ing care she left-her pet bird. a par
rot.
To Lydia, who detested parrots as
noisy. ungraceful creatures, this legacy
fell as calamity in her quiet, well or
dered existence. She scarcely read the
badly written postscript, which stated
that the remainder of Mrs. Ransom's
estate had gone to a favorite nephew
Of her own.
The parrot arrived in a crate.
There was tall perching stand for
Polly in the crate with the cage, and
the parrot was soon at home on the
perch. chain secured around one leg
and fastened to the stand.
Lydia found her new companion the
source Of much amusement for several
days. He learned to call her by name.
and at times it almost seemed as If she
had a human companion in her lonely
life.
Her house was situated at the end of
the long village street. and few came
to her save when there was dressmak-
ing to be done. but saltwater was near
large city and most of the women
1ch hnf ri In, ho a
| shops. so Lydia did not have much to
do.
1t was the spring of the year. and
Lydia worked much in her garden.
Many times Polly sat near on his
perch. shrilly defiant of the wild birds
that lowered curiously about him.
Lydia was digging among her pansy
plants one morning. transplanting the
little green shoots from one bed to an
other.
You're growing old, old, old" shrek.
ed Polly. with sudden vindictiveness
and a dreary foreboding In his tone
that startled his new mistress.
She turned wistful brown eyes in his
direction. Lydia Thorne was no long
er young. but she still retained a GER
tain sweet youthfulness of expression.
and her brown hair showed not one
thread Of gray. Perhaps 1t was be-
cause her heart would never grow old.
for at thirty-eight Lydia was younger
than many women at eighteen. She
never thought Of her age. but now.
when Polly repeated himself in sud-
den fury Of words. she felt that they
must be true.
You're growing old, old, old as, the
everlasting hills. Never mind. Lyddy
shall marry Stephen, and then every
thing will be all right. Oh, gee!'
Polly made savage peck at saucy
blue jay who had ventured close to his
perch and sent the bandit bird scream
ing to the top of a tall elm tree.
Polly scratched his ear reflectively.
"Poor old Stephen
Lydia was interested. "Who Is Ste
phen?" she asked.
stephens fool. He must marry
Lyddy. Then everything will be all
right" cackled the bird.
what nonsense!'' cried Lydia indig-
nantly. What does the bird meant r
She wondered often after that, for
Polly seemed to find great comfort in
speaking Of the unknown Stephen, and,
through Polly, Lydia learned that Ste.
phen was good boy and credit to
his family and If he would only go
and see Lyddy he would at once fall
in love and marry her. >,"s''''''. ss''S''='s- y
Then one day came a letter from q
cousin in another village inviting Lydia
to come and spend week with her
and. having heard Of Polly's arrival
she extended permission for Lydia tc
bring her legacy.
This Lydia was loath to do, for the
parrots cage was heavy and most un
wieldy. and she did not really care
enough for the bird to carry it about
the country. Nevertheless none of bel
neighbors seemed willing to undertake
its care. so one bright morning found
Lydia and Polly speeding cityward ir
the railroad train.
The parrot proved diverting com
panion, and it seemed as II they hat
scarcely started before the train drew
into the noisy station where she hat
to change cars.
Lydia was walking through the lont
building. carrying the neaVy caSe
her already tired arms. when Polly Sc
up a violent outcry.
stephen! Stephen! oh, Stephen
wait for Lyddy" he shrieked fran
tically.
A man crossing diagonally in from
Of them paused and looked curiousl!
at the parrot.
THAT'S a good boy. Stephen. Mari,
Lyddy and everything will be all right
Such handsome Polly" The bir'
was huttering to and fro. and Lydi
found difficulty in holding the Gag
upright.
The stranger approached and LITE
his hat II am sure Polly is an oil
friend of mine." he said courteously
HE recognizes me, and
Tired lydia flashed indignant eye