The Van Buren press., 1873-08-12
The Parrot Which Was Presented TO a
Clergyman's Wife.
detroit Free Press

Detroit Free Press.
Last winter Gratiot street saloon
| keeper went to Cincinnati on n visit, and
while seeing the town he came across q
saloon sporting the wickedest old parro,
which ever learned to speak the English
| language. Gratiot street stood BY and
heard the bird "Trip and tear" for a
straight hcur, and when he came home
that parrot came with him. All the way
up here tho purchase event for" brake
men and baggagemen, ripping out oaths
which Capt Kid couldn't have handled,
and the further North he came the more
wicked he grew. Reaching Detroit, his
cage was hung up in the saosn, and
Jack has been there ever since, up to
Friday. 1t was a poor day when he
didn't learn some new oath or siangy ex-
preston, and finally he became so that
nobody but hardened villain could talk
with him. He was sold last Friday for
$50, and his owner kept him about an
hour and then sent him as present TO a
, minister's wife who had heen attentive 10
his family during sickness She was very
grateful, having often thought how nice
it would be to have a talking parrst
around the house Jack" seemed put
out by the change of owners, and he sat
on his perch all Friday night and refused
to say word. Saturday morning the
ministers wife started for Pontiac, and
she carried Jacks " cage into her hus-
bands study that neither might be lone
some She had been gone about an hour,
and the good man was scribbling away
when all at once the parrot shouted
Hearts is trump
The good man gave a jump and look
ed ont of the window, thinking that a
couple of bad boys were playing euchre
under his shade trees. He could see no
one, and supposns that he was mistaken
he seated himself and began to write
again, when the parrot shouted
Not any gin, thank ye!
llorlifed, the clergyman looked around
and he saw Jack trying to wink at him.
Half doubling if it was the bird which
had spoken yet determined to find out, he
inquired What?'
Shut up, or I'll put head on We : re
piled Jack, hanging to the cage with one
claw and shaking bis feathers.
is it possible ?? exclaimed the good
man, drawing nearer to the cage:
Champagne Charley was his name
Champagne Charley was hi. name.
sang Jack, swinging furiously on the
stick
Vile bird, you shall go out Of here =
said the minister in an excited voice
would as soon as harbor highwayman.
Rouse NIT him !, cried Jack, and then
he chuekled and cackled as if be was
laughing heartily.
Ii is a sin and shame that men have
taught an innocent bird to use such Ian
guago, continued the good man, as he
picked up the cage
Hit him with beer tumbler, replied
the parrot, trying to fasten his claws into
the ministerial leg.
Little did my wife dream what q viper
she was bringing into the house, unused
the man. Il shall hire some boy to car
ry you away.
Send for the Black Maria, replied the
bird, and while he was being carried GU
he continued, WHO stole the wheelbar
row.
The minister reached the stoop and
called to boy who was playing mum
bletypcg on the grass.
Here, bub, he said, as the boy came
up; take this bird oS v1nc whore and
give him away, and Ill give you two
shillings.
oh, dry up now" "growled Jack,
seeming to know that he was to change
places again
Give him to any one who will take
him. continued the minister. Il have
received a shock which fairly makes me
trembc,
Chuck him under the table = called
the bird, as he went through the gate, and
when he was nearly block away he
could be heard singing:
We,wont go homo till morning
Till daylight does appear.