Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1876-11-24
The Pure-Minded Parrot.

IL IL WASH AuiltuudCk NluIId},
then it was some other clergyman
who was hunting along the wharves
the other day to find a vessel just
from the African coast, hoping that
some ofthe crew might have brought
home an innocent-hcarted, pure
minded parrot, which might be pur-
chased at a reasonable figure, and
trained up in the way good parrots
should walk ond talk. The vessel
was found, and the sailors had
brought back splendid specimen of
African parrot, and they didn't want
but five doll irs for it. The clergy
man admired its plumage, thought
the age was Just right, inquired after
its general health, and asked:
elias the bird yet attempted to
utter any words?"
"Bless your topsails, but she talks
as we'll as a boy ten years old" re-
piled the sailor.
"Then I don't want her. She has
probably caught up a s.'cat many
bad expressions, and she would not
be fit pet for my household"
"Avast nown' said Jack. ':Do
you suppose that man like me. who
reads the good book twice a day,
would have bad bird around him?
Stand back and I'll show you what a
Christian bird I've made of her."
Giving Polly a rap on the head to
wake her up, the sailor called out:
"Now, Polly, who was the first
man,"
"Adam," was the prompt reply,
"That's so, Polly. And now tell
this good man who was first cast in
to the lions den?"
Daniel" was the answer.
odd you ever see such a bird be
fore?" asked Jack of the clergyman.
"While other parrots will blast your
eyes and bless your parsneps, this
one turns to religion and keeps her
mind on heaven. Now Polly, who
was tucked away in the bulrushes
when he was too small to carry sail
for himself?"
'Moses-Moscs,' ''quacked the bird.
'Isn't she a diamond?" exclaimed
Jack trying to wink at the minister
with both eyes.
81 must confess she is the best
minded parrot l ever saw or heard
Of" replied the clergyman.
"That isn't half she can do, skipper,
continued the sailor Now, my
dear Polly, how many commandments
are there?'
"Ten," screamedPolly.
"That's right, old gal. Now tell
the man which is the first day in the
week."
sunday" was the quiet reply.
II tell you," remarked Jack. as he
turned to the clergyman, 81 was
brought up right, and I've been try
ing to bring that bird upright. She's
worth twenty dollars to any man,
but seeing you preach the Gospel,
you shall have her for FIVE"
81 guess Til take her." replied the
minister, producing his wallet. GAS
l said before the bird is one of ten
thousand, and you deserve credit for
the care You have taken in her
teaching"
81 hope I do, sir,' was Jacks mod
est reply, and then giving Polly a
rap on the head, he inquired:
"Now, then, get your bearings and
tell me who was going to offer his
son as sacritice?"
"Abraham" shouted the bird,
shaking Its feathers as if greatly
pleased.
"Y Quill sit up nights to hear that
bird talk, you WILL" said the sailor
eff l hadn't said five dollars to you
l should say fifty to the next man. l
never had time to learn her, but l
believe | could have that bird singing
hymns in just one voyage to Liver
pool. She started out to sing Old
Hundred, one day when we were off
st. Helena, and if the captain hadn't
yelled out just then, | believe the
bird would have picked up the whole
tune like whistle"
The clergyman said he would go
and purchase small cage i'll which
to remove the bird, and he had start
ed for the rail when Jack called out:
"Just hear one more question. |
want you to appreciate this bird for
what she's worth"
The clergyman went back to the
cage, and Jack shook uE the bird and
called out:
"Polly, old gal, who did the ravens
feed3 Speak up sharp now,
"'LUah!' shrieked Polly, seeming
greatly angered over the shaking;
and after an interval of few sec
onds she continued:
"Where in h-l's them crackcrs?"
Jack and the good man looked at
each other for a moment, and then
the minister climbed slowly over the
rail, never to return-not even to
get his fve-dollar bill.
"See what you did!' yelled Jack,
as he turned to the bird.
And all the answer that Polly
made was to softly say:
"Cussum!"