Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1910-09-17
BY CLARlSSA MACKIE.


times before she fully understood its
meaning Couched In the heavy
phraseology of n country lawyer. it an
nounced that the widow Of her uncle,
Sidney Ransom, had died a hort time
ago leaving to Lydia 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. par.
rot.
To Lydia, who detested parrots as
noisy, ungraceful creatures, this legacy
fell as a 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 favorite nephew
of her own.
The parrot arrived In a crate.
There was a tall pcrching 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 1t almost seemed as If she
had human companion in her lonely
life.
Her house was situated ut the end of
the long village street. and few came
to her save when there was drcssmak-
Ing to be done, but saltwater was near
a large city and most of the women
bought their clothes In the ready made
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. transpIanting the
little green shoots from one bed to an
other.
You're growing old. old. Old" shrek
and 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 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 weight 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 a 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 retiectively.
"Poor old Stephen"
Lydia was interested. "Who is Ste
phen?" she asked.
"Stephen's fool. lie must marry
Lyddy Then everything will be all
right" cackled the bird.
What nonsenSe." cried Lydia indig-
nantly. What does the bird mean?
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 q 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.
Then one day came letter from a
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 to
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 1t about
the country. Ney@theless none Of her
neighbors seemed Willing to undertake
It's care, so one bright morning found
Lydia and Polly speeding cityward In
the railroad train.
The parrot proved a diverting COM
panion, and 1t seemed as If they had
scarcely started before the train drew
into the noisy station where she had
to change cars.
Lydia was walking through the long
building, carrying the heavy cage In
her already tired arms, when Polly set
up violent outcry.
stephen! stephen! Oh, stephen,
wait for Lyddy" he shrieked fran
tically.
A man crossing diagonally in front
Of them paused and looked curiously
Mt the parrot.
That's good boy, Stephen. Marry
Lyddy and everything will be all right,
Such a handsome Polly" The bird
was futtering to and fro, and Lydia
found difficulty In holding the cage
upright.
The stranger approached and lifted
his hat 81 am sure Polly is an old
friend of mine,' he said courteously,
"He recognizes me, and
Tired Lydia flashed indignant eyes
NG..NNs II, 4 IL