The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-06-27
OUR STORY TELLER.
A PARROT AS A PREACHER.

n
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 propo to
send to the journal memoir or full
record of this wonderful bird, but merely
a 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
n beautiful dove-colorcd male parrot,
with a 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 years was
Intimately connected with the increase
and change incident to the family.
Poll was supposed to be a fugitive Ito
use the words of the record) from a
Guinea vessel which had set sail that
day from bold water" his language con-
firmed that supposition, calling {" all
hands," making free use of sea phrases,
and singingsnatches 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
10 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 a moment,
Poll was sure to say, when the mother
returned, Mother, Sally didn't rock
the CRADLE"
He was often complained of for being
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
ill for long time. On her recovery i
was impossible for her to go near the
door when Poll was swinging in his out
door cage without her feelings being
narrowed by his calling, almost in he
own tone of voice, "Geordie Geordie =
At this time Poll was not receivin.
the training and nurture of professedly
Christian home. Strict attention had
however, been given to moral education
so sadly neglected in his youth. A
time went on he became a genera
favorite, less self-wifled and high
spirited, returning love for love, need
ing only gentle reproof for wrong
doing.
In 1906 there was powerful religion
awakening in Providence. Mr.. Dods
his wife and eldest daughter were at tha
time brought under the influence of Di
vine truth and received into the fellow
ship of the First Baptist Church. Conver
in. H.
and was followed by marked results
The atmosphere of the home became s,
wholly religious thateven the house-dog
Tiger, went regularly to church with hi
master. and when at one time the goo'
man was very seriously ill, and tn
family were kept at home by care an,
anxiety, Tiger could be seen, at the frs
sound of the old Baptist bell, maxim
his way to church and to the family pew
where he quietly remained until tn
service was over. This was so We
known in the town that when French
man, on some business errand, inquire
in his broken way for the man who ha
Zone very religious dog" he was in
mediately directed to Mr.. Dods.
1t was not strange that so intelliger
a bird as Poll should be impressed
these strong religious influences, an
after few years become so accnstome
to the evening services and fratern;
greetings as to really give evidence
being good Christian parrot, speakir
in the conference and prayer meetin,
whenever an opportunity offered. /
was often banished to some room reno
from the meeting, but when forgotte
or for previous good conduct allowed
remain, would startle all present by b
testimony. On one occasion, a vel
animated sermon was scarcely brougl
to a close when Poll was pleased to sa
very graciously, "That's pretty got
discourseP
A striking incident in Polls experien
about this time brought out the fact tn
early influences often determine Il
character of those which will contin,
TO act with more or less force. Po
Poll was overcome by sudden tempt
tion, and it occurred in a moment
great hilarity. The older members
the household having gone abroad
spend the day, the two youngest daug
ters were housekeeper. The day "
lovely, and the girls, contrary to orde
ventured TO take Poll from his
customed place in the sunny corner
the sitting-rocm (or keeping-room, as
was called then), placing him in
outdoor nook, in the sweetbrier bru