The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-06-27

spring airing, no WAS Wliu Will uelSut,
jumping about in great glee, until the
nail, probably weakened by the winter
storms, gave way, and the cage fell to
the ground with great force. The
children, loving the bird very dearly,
and conscious of their disobedience, I
quickly ran to the rescue, calling to Poll
to tell them if he was killed. On raising
the cage the frightened bird shook him. |
self venemently, and, jumping on his
perch, exclaimed, in his gruffest tones, |
" Poll thought he was going to the |
devilW Years had gone by since Poll |
had used a word of the kind, and the |
children, whose tears were turned to |
merry laughter, always affirmed that
they had evidence of his penitence in
the fact that he was never known to
repeat the offense.
Polly's religion did not save him from
his inveterate habit of tale-bearing. As
the daughters grew up to womanhood
there could be no courting done in that
chimney-corner for Poll would tell.
When the second daughter was about to
be married considerable anxiety was ex-
pressed in reference to keeping the ap-
preaching marriage from gossiping
neighbor until the bans were published
on the following Sabbath. Poll heard
all the talk between the young couple
during that twilight hour. Before the
Sabbath came this neighbOr called to see
the family. As soon as she entered the
sitting-room Poll began to make great
commotion in his cage, swinging and
/ dancing at a fearful rate, until he at
tracted her notice, when in a singing
tone he repeated over and over again,
George and Rose going to be married,
to be married, to be married"
But Poll, as he advanced in years,
grew thoughtful. After the removal of
the family to the home on Transit-street
he was more than ever associated with
its religious life. All Father Dod's
daughters were singers-what blessing
to the household! The eldest daughter
frequently led the singing at these
social meetings. A Methodist sister
sometimes shared this honor with her
An English minister, who was often
guest at the house, took the first oppor-
tunity to say to this daughter, Sally
Sally, don't let that Methodist body
beat you" Poll was an unobserved
listener.
At the next weekly meeting, as soon
as the hymn was read, and the good sis
ter was alb ut to commence to sing in
her spirited way, Poll electrified the
whole worshiping company by repeating
in its loudest, clearest tones the admoni-
ton he had recently heard, "Sally,
Sally, don't let that Methodist body beat
youp We omit the scene at the close
of the meeting. Poor Poll was in dis
grace. Poll was opposed to the long
meetings, and more than once called on
different brethren to close the meeting.
On particular occasion he seemed to
soon tire of the regular exercises, and
called out, Brother Bushbee, close the
meeting by prayer" The brother thus
called upon was sitting with closed eyes
waiting for an opportunity to exhort.
Sadly embarrassed and wondering at the
sudden termination of the meeting,
he arose and offered an appropriate clos
ing prayer.
Poll was removed by a member
of the family, much to the chagrin OF
the young people, who believed he
should be allowed full liberty to exer.
else his gift. Poll must have had some
idea of this principle, for at another
, time he gave life and spirit to dull
meeting by saying, in quick, energetic,
tones:
Brethren, there is libertyW
His power of speech was clear and
strong, and as he advanced 10 years sen.
tentious. 1t was not strange thing for
age, as well as youth, to receive words
of caution or reproof. One summer
,, afternoon Mrs. Dods was engaged in
i making copperplate curtains for the
) windows; several of the good sisters ot
! the First Church were assisting in the
! work. There was a pleasant converse
with long and earnest discussions, as te
, the best method of draping curtains
There was good deal of measuring anc
! puzzling in trying to decide whether
: they should allow for frill at che top OF
,, no frill, to be made open in the center
: and looped on either side of the window
!, or only on one side; how much fringe
! which was Mrs. Dods's own netting
y should be used, etc.
Poll was grave and quiet, watching al
!, the doings with interest, but this manifes
: tation of extreme worldliness was to-
much for him to bear. Improving
r. pau-e in the conversation, he spoke ou
. in his sharpest manner, "Mother Dods
: curtains, curtains, all curtains, and N
4 religion to-dayp Shall we tax tn
u credulity of the readers of the Jouruo
" by adding that these good women
: startled by this rebuke, laid aside thei
q ~ work at once joined in singing "Come
s thou fount of every blessing" thus con
y mencing an informal religious service
- ~ We know where of we write.
= In age and increasing febleness Po
- - did not lose his remarkable memory.
y beloved sister in the church ("Siste
~ Ross ~, who was frequent visitor g
e the house, and was very fond of Pol
!, died very suddenly. More than tw
o years had elapsed when lady calle
e on Mrs. Dods, who, in size and dress, RI
! sembled his deceased friend. Poll ws
- very much excited, and putting his hea
:, through The wire of his cage, looked &
81 her very earnestly. To the astorisl
!. mentof all present, he inquired Is ths
! Sister Ross? On being answered in tn
O. negative, he showed his disappointment
by refusing to speak or leave his swim
nc while the visitor remained.
:, We now come to the time when Po
a. was old and gray-headed, his strengt
!; ~ gone, and his life filled up wit
.. labor and sorrow. Receiving the tel
" " derest care, he fingered many montl
! after he was stricken with wasting d
- cay. With the first breath of the vii
., 90 ter of 1920 Poll passed away, quiet
~ - and peacefully. 1t was a stormy whit
8, day when the children of the neighbo
~ ,J hood gathered around the little box tn
- - contained all that was left of his BIZ
u life, and bore it lovingly to the foot
At at the garden, giving it decent burial.
lg
W, Debasing Coin.
lm Im1 The most extensive fraud perpetratt