Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-12-29

"Woodman, spare that tree" sung out Polly.
"Clever bird that" said the Squire, his at
tention being now greatly attracted.
you'll put the parrot down, suppose, Mr..
Broadman.'
.oh, no, we never mention her." sung the
parrot.
II should like to have that bird; what's your
name, Poll?"
"Pretty, pretty Polly Hopkins sung Polly,
cooking her head knowingly.
Answers quite like Christian" replied
the Squire: "seems to answer everything, de-
clare"
"Whats o'clock cried Poll.
Amazing, upon my honor" calculated the
Squire. "Now think Of it" said he, my
daughter Cecilia has been worrying my life
out for the last six months to buy her such a
bird as this one, that can talk, and sing and
whistle. tell you what I'll do Penny, don't
want tosbe hard upon you; let me have the
parrot, give me q note of hand for f5 balance,
and will withdraw the distress, and give you
receipt for the ELS due"
aDontt you wish you may get it!' saucily
replied Poll, as if she understood what the
landlord was talking about.
"Such a bird as that is worth more money"
observed Macmillan; wouldn't mind giving
that much for it myself.
ooh whistle, and I'll come to thee, my lad
whisted POLL
"Wonderfull" said the yentriloquist; u
think the fairest way would be to let Poll come
to the hammer, and bring whatever she is
knocked down for"
"The woodpecker tapping the hollow beech
tree,'' sung out Polly.
The Squire was electrified.
"One lapstone-anything more?''' said Broad
man.
ooh, yes; ten lasts, sundry wax.ends," &C.,
"Stopi stopr' interrupted the Squire. q
must have that bird; I'll take it as payment Of
the rent in full. Penny, will that suit you?"
Poor Penny seemed thunderstruck. He hes
itated as if he had some compunctions. The
Squire observed it.
"That not enough? Well, then, I'll make it
f2O Here's receipt for the rent, and there's
FIVE sovereigns. Win that do for you? Broad
man, withdraw your man.
sYou don't lodge here, Mr.. Furgusson, with
your ninepence," said Polly.
The Squire was delighted. Macmillan
thought the arrangement honorable to oil par
ties, and poor Penny unwilingly resigned pos
session OF the bird.
II shall take my prize home at once" said
he.
"Goodby, Poll,n cried all the children.
"Good bye Ny native land, good night"
sang Poll, looking very grave, and twisting her
head first on one side and then on the other,
placing herself in her swing, and violently
rocking herself backwards and forwards. The
signal seemed to be given for her depar-
ture.
Now, john" cried Poll, @drive on gently
over these stones"
John, does your mother know you're out?"
John grinned like Cheshire cat. The
squire looked enchanted, and the children
shrieked again with surprise and delight. As
for poor Penny, he seemed perfectly salts
fed.
AS soon as the shop was fairly clear of the
party, he turned to Mcmillan, and with an air
of much perplexity, begged he would look in
on the following morning, when he would have
some skins, from which he might choose the
leather for his boots, for just at that moment
he felt quite bewildered.
Highly elated that John Penny had got so
well through his difficulties, the good ventrilo-
quist didn't intrnde, but CONSIDERABLY took his
leave. He was, however, punctual visitor to
Johns the following morning, and found that
honest cordwainer had laid out the f5 he had
received, over and above his rent, the preceding
afternoon, to the very best advantage. He
had stocked his shop with good supply of
leather, and other articles necessary for his
trade, and now only wanted customers. While
Macmillan was selecting the materials for his
boots, the squire suddenly made his appear
ance, followed by his footman, bearing Polly.
Penny was surprised, and so too seemed Mac
milan.
"Well, Mr.. Penny" said the great cotton
lord, Eve have brought back your parrot-it is
very extraordinary, but it has not spoken a
single word since took it away-never sung
single song, nor whistled single tune; it
has done nothing but squeak-scream, scream,
till my head has been fit to split; and so have
those Of everybody else in fact, without any
wish to offend you, she is perfect nuisance.
/ wouldn't keep her in the house if anybody
would give me hundred a year to do so. It
threw my daughter into Mysteries she upset the
glass globe, split all the gold and silver fish-a
rare chance for the cat. Return me the f5 ]
paid you, and I'll forfeit the rent"
I'm sorry to say" said the conscientious
John Penny, that I've laid out the f5; but,
however, if you'll take my note Of hand for the
"Why, stay |" said Macmillan, parrots very
seldom talk in strange place at first; put Poll
in her usual place, and then see."
The cage was accordingly restored to its
former position, when, to the utter astonish-
ment of all present, Poll Immediately began to
sing
Home, sweet home; be it ever so humble,
there's no place like home"
"Well, said the squire, lifting up his hands,
q this is incredible, but I've heard of such
things before What sensible intelligent
creature she is; must give her another trial
take her back john"
"I'll gang nae mair to yon toun," whistled
Poll but, however, to no effect, for she was
borne of, considerably stultifying John, by cry
ing.
awhats o'clock? There you go with your
eye out" &c.
"You appear to be surprised at my amaze
ment Mr.. Macmillan" said honest Penny,
when the party were out Of sight, but you
will not be when tell you that until yesterday
never heard that bird utter single syllable.
AS Mr.. Summer had said, she had never done
anything but squeak and scream, disturbing
the whole neighborhood but they got used to