Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-01-07

afternoon performances of this wonderful
bird, as a description of them would take
up too much space. In the evening four
ladies were present, and among them
clergyman's wife, who was more than
delighted with Polls singing. AS if GER
tain that he would be desired to sing, he
made the following request to himself:
Poll, he said, "sing pretty song 20
the ladies'" then coughing, like a ner-
vous young lady about to entertain a
party, he sang the following verses, Civ
ing to each its appropriate tune:
oh, dearl what can the matter be?
Jockey stays long at the fair;
He promised to buy me d bunch of blue ribbons
To tie up my bonnie brown hair
For Polls a jolly good fellow,
Polls a jolly good fellow,
Polls jolly good fellow,
Which nobody can deny
Down among the Goals
Down among the Goals,
Polly is a clever chap,
Down among the Goals
Il wish was a swell,
A-roving down Pall-Mall,
Upon the street to spread my feet,
I wish was a swell,
Don't Il rather!''
He sang other verses during the evening,
such as Charlie is my darling" but, of
course, substituting "Polly" for
p" Charlie" "Up in a balloon, boys"
My dear boys, my dear boys, he is
pal O mime" and Champagne Charley
is my name, up to every little game, my
boys" and amused and delighted us all
by dancing to one or two of his tunes.
His singing of Polly's a jolly good fell
low was inimitable; but when asked to
repeat it by the clergyman's wife he
very sharply told her to ego to the
kitchen" That he objected to being en-
cored was evident, 80 we allowed him to
sing, dance, speak, laugh or be silent,
just as he pleased. Polly is capital
Laughter. He bends and unbends, and
does it SO heartily that it is difficult to
believe that he is not consciously amused
Then he cries, too, most mournfully, and
generally INDUCES in it when he hears
anyone speaking in piteous tones. When
the company had dispersed on the even
ing in question he looked as if aware
that he had shown himself off to some
advantage, and indeed went the length
of saying, poll is a very pretty bird
He's good little boy" When drawing
near to the later hours he interrupted an
interesting conversation by saying, care
you not going to your little beddies?
Polly is going to his beddie. Yes. Good
night, goodnight" He then leaped into
his ring, and retired for the night, evil
IDENTIFY highly satisfied with the days
performance.
am certain that ] have not recorded
the half Of what I heard Poll say, but
enough has been quoted to show that he
is most wonderful bird A lady offered
twenty guineas for him lately and was
astonished to find that hundred guineas
would not buy him. The last time
saw him he distinctly pronounced my
name after hearing it few times. He
then wished the Duke of Edinburgh
much joy, and informed me that he was
proud to have the honor of the acquaint-
ance of the Prince of Wales. Indeed, he
seems to be extremely fond of this fu-
ture King, and an anecdote illustrative
of this trait in his character may very
appropriately conclude this paper. When
His Royal Highness, accompanied by his
beautiful Princess, was IN Edinburgh
laying the foundation-stone of the new
Infrmary, the royal procession passed
along Princess street and halted for
few minutes opposite Mr.. Trueftt's win
A maiden lady of democratic principles
was heard to say very ostentatiously
that the people of Edinburgh were very
foolish in making such an ado about two
common mortals like themselves Some
one very politely told her to hold her
tongue, but she would not be put
down until Poll, who was brought to
the open window, fairly silenced her by
shouting until the procession moved on,
Hurrah for the Prince of Walesw
That sentence was the birds latest &C
quirement, and all who heard him were
unanimous in saying that he made the
best possible use of it. Polls linguistic
accomplishments clearly show to what
extraordinary lengths bird can be
taught to speak, not by mere note, but
with a wonderful degree of nationality
and adaptation to circumstances
bers' Journal.