Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1874-05-15

The CLERGYMAN's WIrE's PARRoT.-Last
week Gratiot street saloon-keeper went +
Cincinnati on visit, and while seeing tn
town he came across q saloon sporting tn
widest old parrot that ever learned to speal
the English language. He stood by AM
heard the bird rip and tear for straigh
hour, and when he came home that parro
came with him. All the way up here thu
purchase went for the brakeman, ripping
out oaths that Captain Kidd couldn't hav,
handled, and the further north he came tn,
more wicked he grew. Reaching Detroit hi
cage was hung up in the saloon, and Jacl
has been there ever since, up to Friday. i
was a poor day when he did not learn som,
new oath or slang expression, and finally he
became 50 bad that none but a hardened vii
lian could talk with him He was sold
last Friday, for twenty dollars. and his own
er kept him about an hour, and sent him as
present to the minister's wife, who had
been attentive to his family during sickness
She was very grateful, having 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 a
word. Saturday morning the minister's wife
started for Pontiac, and she carried Jack s
cage into her husbands study, that neither
might be lonesome. She had been gone about
an hour, and the good man had been scrib-
bling away, when all at once the parrot
shouted
''Hearts Is trumps,"
The good man gave a jump and looked out
of the window, thinking that couple of
bad boys were playing euchre under his
shade trees He could see no one, and sup
posing that he was mistaken, he seated him
self and began to write again, when the par
rot shouted
'Not any gin, thank yel'
Horrifed, the clergyman looked around, =,
and saw Jack irving to wink at him. Half
doubling if it was the bird which had spoken,
vet determined 10 find ont, he inau red
What -
'.Shut up or III put head on We ~ re-
piled Jack. hanging to the cage with one
claw and shaking his feathers.
As it possible p exclaimed the good man,
drawing nearer to the cage.
Champa gne Charley was his name,
Champagne Charley was his name
sang Jack. swinging furiously on the stick.
Vile bird, ycu shall 90 out of here = said
the minister, in an excited voice. IL wonld
aS soon harbor with a highwayman.
..Rouse nit him - cried Jack, and then
he chuckled and cackled, as if he was laugh
ing heartily.
at Is sin and shame that men have
taught an innocent bird to use such Ian
guage.' continued the good man, as he pick
ed up the cage.
"lIit him with beer tumbler," cried the
parrot, trying to fasten his claws INTO the
ministerial leg.
Little did my wife dream what a viper
she was bringing into the house, - unused the
clergyman. Il shall hire some boy to carry
you away"
..Send for the Black Maria replied the
parrot and while he was being carried ont,
he continued WHO stole the wheel
barrow -
The minister reached the stoop, and called
to a small boy who was playing mumblepeg
on the graSs
..IIere. bub. take this bird somewhere and
give him away, and I'll give you two
shillings."
"Oh dry up now" growlei Jack, seem
ing 10 know that he was u change places
again.
GIVE him to any one who will take him.
the minister. Il have received
shock which now fairly makes me trembe. "
'Chuck him under the table 3" called the
bird. as he went through the gate, and when
he was nearly block away he could be
heard singing 1--WE won't 90 home till
morning. Detroit (Ncb.) FIRE. Press.