Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1870-07-07
A Funny Bird.

A recent traveller In Australia thus de-
scribes the performance OF tame cockatoo,
known by its pet name OF the Doctor"
1t pretended to have violent toothache,
and nursed it's beak in its claw, rocking
/ itself back and forward as if in the greatest
agony, and in answer to all the remedies
which were proposed, croaking out, "Oh, it
amt a bit of good J" and finally siding up
to the edge OF perch, and saying. in q hoarse
and confidential whisper, "Give us drop
of whisky, do"
1t would also pretend to sew, holding a
little piece of cloth underneath the claw
which rested on the perch, and going
through the motions with the other getting
into difficulties with its thread, and finally
setting up loud song in praise of sewing
machines Just as if it were an advertise
ment
The Doctors best performance is when
he initiates hawk He reserves this fine
piece of acting until his mistress is feeding
her poultry; then, when all the hens and
chickens, turkeys and pigeons are in the
quiet enjoyment of their breakfast or SUP.
per. the peculiar shrill cry of a hawk is
heard overhead. and doctor" is seen cir
cling IN the air uttering a scream OCCASION
ally. The fowls never find out that it is
hoax, but run to shelter, cackling in the
greatest alarm-hens clucking loudly for
their chicks, turkeys crouching under the
bushes, the pigeons taking refuge in their
house. As soon as the ground is quite
clear. cocky changes his wild note for peals
OF laughter from high tree, and finally
alighting on the top of a hencoop filled
with trembling chickens, remarks. = a suf-
locating voice, you'll be the de-h h OF mel
HUNTING THE S11ppER.-There vas !, cav
wedding the other day in Pittsb argl, in
which this old custom was revived with the
merriest effect. The wedding ceremonies
occupied an entire day, the knot being tied
in the morning and the rest of the day de-
voted to festivities. The bride, according
to the old German custom, is in charge OF
the groomsmen until the end of the we'd
ding day, and they are supposed to keep
strict watch over her until the hour of re-
firing. If one of the guests can in any
manner succeed in stealing the shoes off
one of the brids's feet, search-warrant is
issued, and when the same is found it Is
put up at auction, and no one is allowed to
bid for it save the groomsmen, the proceeds
of the sale always being the cooks perau-
isite. At the wedding referred to the shoe
was stolen during the dinner hour. Amis-
chievous guest managed to get under the
table while the wine corks were flying in
every direction, and the party were laugh !
ing at the hight of their voices. Secretly |
he wendell his way underneath the table |
until he arrived at the brides chair, where, /!
with sharp knife, be gently cut the satin |
ribbons that held the daintiest little slip
per on very pretty little foot. He then
retreated from his position, and was sue
cessful in mingling with the happy crowd |
before his absence from the festive board |
was noticed. Therepast finished, the party |
arose from the table, and not till then did |
the bride become aware of her loss There |
was merry laugh, and the recovery of the
slipper was to be effected. An alderman
was one of the guests, and he was applied
to for search-warrant. The document
was issued, and the gentlemen present,
with the groomsmen as presidents, resolved
themselves into o committee of the whole
for the recovery of the lost slipped After
\ long search the article was found in the
possession of the gentleman who commit
sd the larceny. He was appointed anc.1
ioneer, and the satin slipper was knocked
down to one of the groomsmen for sIS. He 1
it to the bride, the money was
handed to the cooks, and the rest of the
lay and evening was spent in highly en-
oyable manner.