The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1878-07-06
OUR STORY TELLER.
A PARROT AS A PREACHER.


The "reminiscences of the Third
Baptist Church." with the more recent
notice of the new departure, says the
Providence Journal, has led to many
urgent requests for an account of
Father Dods's parrot, that used to speak
in the meetings. We do not propose to
send to the Journal memoir or full
record of this wonderful bird, but merely
selection of his most characteristic
sayings and doings. The Journal told
us not long since that parrots were
centenarians. We are not able to claim
for Mr.. Dods's parrot such remarkable
longevity, but commence this unadorned
recital of amusing incidents and familiar
conversation by relating this well-known
fact:
August %, 1889, Poll was found on a
wharf near where the post-office now
stands. Mr.. Dods, going from his home
on Westminster-street, near Turks
Head, to get breath of fresh air from
the water, heard the pitiful cry of
Polly's hungry! Polly's hungry"
Pursuing the sound, he soon succeeded,
on removing some lumber, in releasing
beautiful dove-colored male parrot,
with brilliant tail of bright scarlet
plumage. The day had been an event
full one to Mr.. Dods, who had ex-
perienced great Joy in the new relation
of father. Polly's introduction to the
family was therefore kept with that of
the birth of the infant daughter, and his
subsequent life of thirty-one wears was
intimately connected with the increase
and change incident to the family.
Poll was supposed to be fugitive Ito
use the words of the record) from a
Guinea vessel which had set sail that
day from bold water" his language con-
frmed that supposition, calling "all
hands" making free use of sea phrases,
and singing snatches of sailor songs. The
profanity of the bird so astonished and
alarmed the young mother that great
pains were taken to correct its bad
habits before the little daughter could
understand such rough expressions.
Poll was teachable, and soon adapted
his conversation to his new surround
ings. As one after another was added
to the family circle, he gave a welcome
TO each, and watched over all with
great vigilance. The names of father
and mother were spoken as plainly by
Poll as the children. If the eldest
daughter (his contemporary had charge
of the cradle, and left it for moment,
Poll was sure to say, when the mother
returned, " Mother, Sally didn't rock
the CRADLE"
He was often complained of for being
a great tell-tale. The children of the
neighborhood also received share of his
attention. His memory was perfect and
sometimes quite distressing.
A little truant boy living near by
gave his mother so much trouble that
she was frequently at the door, calling
loudly for him by name. At last the
little fellow sickened and died. The
mother, overcome by her grief, was very
i'll for leng time. On her recovery it
was impossible for her to 60 near the
door when Poll was swinging in his out
door cage without her feelings being
narrowed by his calling, almost in her
own tone of voice, Geordiel Geordie !"
At this time Poll was not receiving
the training and nurture of professedly
Christian home. Strict attention had
however, been given to moral education.
so sadly neglected in his youth. AS
time went on he became a general
favorite, less self-willed and high
spirited, returning love for love, need
ing only gentle reproof for wrong
doing.
In 1905 there was powerful religious
awakening in Providence. Mr.. Dods,
his wife and eldest daughter were at that
time brought under the influence of Di-
vine truth and received into the fellow
ship of the First Baptist Church. CONVEX
sion in those days meant great deal,
and was followed by marked results.
The atmosphere of the home became SO
wholly religious that even the house-dog,
Tiger, went regularly to church with his
master, and when at one time the good
man was very seriously ill, and the
family were kept at home by care and
anxiety, Tiger could be seen, at the first
sound of the old Baptist bell, making
his way to church and to the family pew,
where he quietly remained until the
service was over. This was so well
known in the town that when French
man, on some business errand, inquired
IN his broken way for the man who had
"one very religious dog" he was i'm
mediately directed to Mr.. Dods.
1t was not strange that so intelligent
bird as Poll should be impressed by
these strong religious influences, and
after few years become 30 accustomed
to the evening services and fraternal
greetings as to really give evidence of
being good Christian parrot, speaking
in the conference and prayer meetings
whenever an opportunity offered. He
was often banished to some room remote
from the meeting, but when forgotten,
or for previous good conduct allowed to
remain, would startle all present by his
testimony. On one occasion, a very
animated sermon was scarcely brought
to close when Poll was pleased to say,
very graciously. "That's pretty good
discoursep
A striking incident in Polls experience