The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-12-15
The Pure.Minded Parrot.


The Pure.Minded Parrot.
If it wasn't Adirondack Murray 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 of the crew
might have brought home an innocent
hearted, pure minded parrot, which
might be purchased at reasonable fig
ure, and trained up in the way good par
rots should walk and talk. The vessel
was found, and the sailors had brought
back a splendid specimen of African
parrot, and they didn't want but five
dollars for it. The clergyman admired
its plumage, thought the age was just
right, inquired after its general health,
and asked:
HAS the bird yet attempted to utter
any words?"
oieso }oul bopSaliSI Ous enC taihS oe
we'll as boy ten years old, replied the
sailor.
"Then don't want her. She has pro,
badly caught up great many bad ex'
pressions, and she would not be a fit pei
for my household"
"Avast now" said Jack. "Do you
suppose that a man like me, who reads
the good book twice day, would have g
bad bird around him? Stand back and
I'll show you what Christian I've made
of her"
Giving Polly rap on the head tc
wake her mp, the sailor called out:
Now, Polly, who was the frs
mani"
Adam" was the prompt reply.
That's so, Polly. And now tell thi
good man who was first cast into tn
lions den?"
Daniel" was the answer.
Ibid you ever see such bird before?
asked Jack Of the clergyman. "Whil
other parrots will blast your eyes an
bless your parsnips, this one turns to re
ligion and keeps her''m mind on heaven
Now, Polly, who was tucked away in tn
bulrushes when he was too small to cal
ry sail for himself?"
"Moses-Moses," "quacked the bird.
"Isn't she a diamond?" e1claime
Jack trying to wink at the minister wit
both eyes.
r 81 must confes she is the best minde
2 parrot ! ever saw or heard Of" reptile
] the clergyman.
r "That isn't half she can do, skipper
Z continued the sailor, "Now, my de-
e Polly, how many commandments a
g there?"
: "Ten," screamed Polly.
q "That's right, old gal. Now tell Il
b man which is the fret day in the week
t; SUNDAY" was the quiet reply.
e 81 tell you," remarked Jack, as
is turned to the clergyman, 81 was broug
l. up right, and I've been trying to bri
l. that bird up right. She's worth twen
g dollars to any man, but seeing y
lie preach the Gospel, you shall have h
ic for five."
lg 81 guess I'll take her." replied /
Sc minister, producing his wallet. GAS
8. said before the bird is one of ten tho,
and, and you deserve credit for the cs
you have taken in her teaching"
81 hope I do SIR" was Jacks mod
ef reply, and then giving Polly rap
'i the head, he inquired:
es "Now, then. get your bearings and I
: me who was going to offer his son a
ef sacrifce?"
10 "Abraham!" shouted the bird, sh
ut ing its feathers as if greatly pleased.
oi you'll sit up nights to hear that b
Uy talk, you WILL" said the sailor. 81
VI hadn't said five dollars to you / sho
fe say fifty to the next man. / never
oi time to learn her, but believe co
''' have that bird singing hymns in just
'se voyage to Liverpool. She started ou
d. sing Old Hundred, one day when
an were off St. Helena, and if the capt
"I hadn't yelled out just then, believe
7"' bird would have picked up the WI
tune like a whistle"
The clergyman said he would go
purchase small cage in which to
:. move the bird, and he had started
:. the rail when Jack called out:
ID Gust hear one more question. v
J., you to appreciate this bird for "
-. she's worth"
The clergyman went back to the C
... and Jack shook up the bird, and ca
out:
b. "Polly, old gal, who did the ra
rof, feed? Speak up sharp now"
"Lijah" shrieked Polly, seen
greatly angered over the shaking; an
=" ter an interval of few seconds she
tiDued:
~, "Where in HIS them crackers?"
Jack and the good man looked at
'pp. other for a moment, and then the m
''eo ter climbed slowly over the rail, new
'e''' return-not even TO get his five d
'ses, bill.
., % "See what you did" yelled Jack,
~ turned to the bird.
" And all the answer that Polly
~ " was to softly say
''he' "Cussump'
uth-
path A Victoria, V. I. press dispatch
pow that the civil, military and nava
Dmes thorities on Saturday held cons
3. A tion concerning the defenseless sta
we'll the colony. 1t is understood an q
reas- cation will be made to the Dom
y e1- Government to provide the steame
, and James Douglass with an armamen
ainst place her under orders OF the navs
avor- thorities. It is also said the local