The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-12-07
THE PURE MINDED PARROT.

+. . 4-ss ~
it was some other clergy man Who was
hunting alsag the wharves the other
day to find a vessel just from the
cost, hoping that come Of the
crew might have brought home an in
nocent hearted, pure minded parrot,
which might be purchased at reason
able figure. and trained up in the way
good parrots should walk and talk.
The vessel was found, and the sailors
had brought back a splendid specimen
of African parrot, and they don't want
but five dollars for it. The clergyman
admired its plumage, thought the age
was just right, inquired after its gen.
eral health, and asked:
elias the bird yet attempted to ut
ter any words?"
''Blcss your topsaiIs, but she talks
as well as a boy ten years old" replied
the sailor.
''Thcn don't want her. She has
probably caught up great many bad
expressions. and she would not be a
tit pet for my household"
'Avast now !" said Jack. s'Do you
suppose that Il man like me, who reads
the good book twice day, would
have a bad bird around him? Stand
back and I'll show you what a Chris
tian bird I've make of her."
Giving Polly rap on the head to
wake her up, the sailor called out:
"Now, Polly, who was the first
lnan?" a
adam" was the prompt reply.
"That's SO, Polly. And now tell
this good man who was first cast into
the lions den?"
"Daniel," was the answer.
"Did you ever see such bird be-
fore ?" asked Jack of the clergyman.
"While other parrots will blast your
eyes and bless pour parsnips, 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 him
SELF
"Moses-Moses," quacked the bird.
''lsn't she diamond 2" exclaimed
Jack trying to wink at the minister
with both eyes.
IL must confess she is the best. mind
ed parrot l ever saw or heard Of" re-
piled the clergyman,
"That isn't half she can do, skipper
continued the sailor. "Now, my dear
Polly, how many commandments arc
there ~
"Ten," screamed Polly.
"That's right, old gal. Now tell the
man which is the first day in tho
week."
SUNDAY" was the quiet reply.
81 tell you," remarked Jack, as be
turned to the clergyman. II was
brought up right. and Ire been trying
to bring that bird up right. She.
worth twenty dollars to any man, but
seeing you preach the Gospel, yon
shall have her Tor hVe.
Il guess I'll take her," replied the
minister, producing his wallet. GAS
| said before the bird is one of ten
thousand, and you deserve credit for
the care you haye taken in her teach
ing"
II hope do SIR" was Jacks mod
est reply, and then giving Polly rap
on the head, he inquired:
"Now, then, get your bearings and
tell me who was going. to offer his son
as sacrifice 2"
"Abraham!" shouted the bird, shak-
ing its feathers as if greatly pleased.
you'll sit up nights 10 hear that
bird talk, you WILL" said the sailor.
''If hadn't said five dollars to you /
should say fifty to the next man. l
never had time-to learn her, but L be-
lieve l could have that bird singing
hymns in just one voyage toLiverpool.
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 a
whistle"
The clergyman said he would 60
and purchase a small cage in which to
remove the bird, and he had started
for the rail when Jack called out:
'Just hear one more question. l
want you TO appreciate this bird for
what she's worth"
The clergyman went back TO the
cage, and Jack shook up the bird, and
called out:
Polly, old gal, who did the ravens
feed? Speak up sharp now"
"Liiah!" shrieded Polly, seeming
gr, ally angered over the shaking aid
after an interval of few seconds she
continued:
"Where in h-l's them crackers 2"
Jack and the good man looked at
each other for moment, and then the
minister climbed slowly over the rail,
never to return-not even to get his
five-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!"
DESCRIPTIONS of wonderful auto
matOn, called Psyche, have come to
this country from London, where it is
exhibited by conjurer. 1t represents
a squatted Turk, who plays a game OF
cards and performs many things SEEM
ingly requiring intelligence. 1t is
placed on top of section of glass CYL
hok ol Io@ -