Weekly Trinity journal., 1873-08-23
THE CLERGYMAN's PARROT.

Last winter Gratiot Street saloon
keeper went to Cincinnati on a visit, and
while seeing the town he came acros sa-
loon sporting the wickedest parrot which
ever learned to speak the English Ian
guage. Gratiot-street stood by and heard
the bird 70: straight hour, and when
he came homo that parrot came with
him. All the way up here the purchase
4" went for" brakemen and baggagemen,
ripping out oaths which Captain Kidd
could not have handled, and the further
North he came the more wicked he grew.
Reaching Detroit, his cage was hung up
in the saloon, and Jack has been there
ever since, up to Friday. 1t was poor
day when he didn't learn some oath or
slangy expression, and finally he became
so hardened that nobody but a hardened
villain could talk with him. He was sold
last Friday for 500, and his owner kept
him about an hour, and then sent him as
present to a minister's wife who had
been attentive to his family during sick
ness. She was very grateful, having Of
ten thought how nice it would be to have
talking parrot 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 minister's wife started for
Pontiac, and she carried Jacks cage into
her husbands study that neither might
be lonesome. She had been gone perhaps
about an hour, and the good man was
scribbling away, when all at once the par
rot shouted
"Hearts is trump ="
The good man started and looked out
of the window, thinking some bad boys
were playing euchre under the shade
trees. He could see no one, and suppos-
ing that he was mistaken, he seated him
self and began to write again, when the
parrot shouted:
Not any gin, thank ye ~
Horrifed, the clergyman looked round,
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 III put head on ye,"
replied the parrot, hanging to the cage
with one claw and shaking his feathers.
" Is it possible ?" exclaimed the good
man, drawing nearer to the cage.
I'll; Ia yroe l. :a .o..a
Champagne Charlie was his name,
sang Jack, swinging furiously on the
stick
" Vile bird, you shall go out of here I"
said the minister in an excited voice. 81
would as soon harbor high%ayman."
Rouse nit him I" cried Jack. and
then he chuekled and cackled as if he
was laughing heartily.
g 1t is sin and a shame that men
have taught an innocent bird to use such
language" continued the good man as he
picked up the cage.
Hit him with beer tumbler," re-
piled the parrot, trying to fasten his claws
into the ministerial leg.
Little did my wife dream what Vi
per she was bringing into the house."
unused the man, " shall hire some boy
to carry you away.
Send for the Black Maria," replied
the bird, and while he was being carried
out he continued, "Who stole the wheel
barrow ?"
The minister reached the stoop and
called to boy who was playing mum
blety-peg on the grass.
Here, Bub," he said as the boy came
up, take this bird off somewheres and
give him away, and III 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. 81 have
received shock which fairly makes me
tremble."
Chuck him under the table I" called
the bird, as he went through the gate,
and when he was block away, he could
be heard singing:
- We won't go home till morning,
Till daylight dees appear"
-DefTOH Free Press