The Argosy — page 344: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

An Old Bird. 319 Again Mr. Bond laughed gleefully ; and then he sobered down. ‘‘ Children,” he said, “ Providence has put a rare chance in your wa Debs ; isn’t chance, father,” softly corrected Patty. “No, no more it is. . Well, these jewels are worth, I should say, a thousand pounds at the very least! That'll start you fair!” There was a minute’s silence. Then Joe put his arm round Patty, and whispered : *‘ We can go and take a little farm in America, now, Patty. You know that has been the ambition of my life.” Patty smiled—and then her face grew troubled. “Poor father!” she whispered ; “he’s only got me! I couldn’t leave him here, Joe.” “‘ He shall come, too!” cried Joe; and leave off his blinding work, and enjoy his old age amongst the fields and trees—he hasn’t seen many days of them in his youth.” So it was agreed. The stones realised rather more than the thou- sand pounds ; the Jew was peremptorily told that Joe would not sell again, though he made him the handsome offer of ten shillings ; and after the wedding and lively Christmas, these three departed for a new land, where they prospered. The old bird was popularly supposed to have been the pet, while living, of some Indian Prince; and after being stuffed and enriched with jewellery, to have found its way to the old shop, through many adventures, which so disfigured it as to hide its value. Joe and Patty had the bird ‘‘ done up” again, and their children feel an admiring awe of the parrot that was the unconscious author of their prosperity. MINNIE DOUGLAS, Gomichboo (C(O)