Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-01-22

lHG StOTy Vi IL IIOuS IhTTOt.
August 22d, 1889, Poll was found on a
wharf near where the Providence 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! Pollys hungry" Pur-
suing the sound, he soon succeeded, on re-
moving some lumber, in releasing a
beautiful dove colored male parrot, with
brilliant tail of bright scarlet plumage.
The day had already been an eventful one
TO Mr.. Dods, who had experienced a great
Joy in the new relation of father. Polly's
introduction to the family was therefore
kept with that of the birth of their infant
daughter, and his subsequent life Of eleven
years 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 confirmed
that supposilion, calling "all hands" :"
making use of sea phrases, and singing
snatches of sailor songs. The profanity
of the bird so astonished and alarmed the
1OuuS lHOlucl til'tL SlC1G Jhlllo WClC IdhCu
to correct his bad habits before the little
daughter could understand such rough ex-
presslonS.
Poll was teachablc, and soon adapted his
conversation to his new surroundings. AS
one after another was added to the family
circle, he gave II welcome to each, and
watched over all with great vigilance.
The names of father and mother were
spoken as plainly by Poll as by the chill.
dren. If the eldest daughter (his contem-
porary) had charge of the cradle, and left
it for IL 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 telltale.
The children Of the neighborhood also
received share of his attention; Ihis
memory was perfect and sometimes quite
| distressing.
A little lruant 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
sickcned and died; the mother, overcome
by her grief, was very i'll for long time
on her recovery it was impossible for her
to 90 near the door, when Poll was swing.
ing in his outdoor cage, without her feel
ings being narrowed by his calling, almos
in her own tone of voice, Geordie
Geor die "
At This time Pol was not receiving the
training and nurture of profesSedly
Christian home; strict attention had how
ever been given to moral education, ST
sadly neglected in his youth. AS time
went on he became IL general favorite
less selfwilled and high spirited, return
ing love ior love, needing only gentle re-
proof for wrong doing.
In 1905 there was II powerful religious
awakening in Providence. Mr.. Dods. hi
wife and eldest daughter were at thai
time brought under the influence of divine
the First Baptist church. Conversion il
those days meant great deal and wa
followed by marked results.
The atmosphere Of the home became 81
wholly religious that even the house dos
) Tiger went regularly to church with hi
master, and when ut one time the goot
man was very seriously i'll and the famil
: were kept at home by care and anxiety
} Tiger could be seen ut the first sound O
the old Baptist bell, making his way t
, church, where he quietly remained unit
the service WAS over. This was so wei
known in the town that when Il French
man, ON some business erraud, inquire
t in his broken way for the man who ha
- one very religious dog" he was immt
dately directed TO Mr.. Dods
c 1t was not strange that so intelligent
= br, rs Poll should be impressed by thes
: strong religions iniluences,and after fe'
n years become accustomed to the evenin
:, services and fraternal greetings as to reall
e give evidence of being Il good Chrlstla
S parrot; speaking in the conference an
$ prayer meeting whenever an opportunil
II offered. He was often banished to SON
y room remote from the meeting, but whe
e forgotten, or for previous good condu
allowed to remain, would startle all pre-
G ent by his testimony.
II On one occasion, Il very animated Sc
g mon was scarcely brought 10 close, whe
h Poll was pleased to say very graciousl.
It . That S II pretty good discourse "
y y striking incident in Polls expcrlen'
II about this time, brought out the fact tn
If early influences often undermine the cha
II acter of those which will continue TO a
is with more or less force. Poor Poll W
if overcome by n sudden temptation, and
occurred in moment of great hllarlt
5e The older members of the household ha
Il ing gone abroad TO spend the day, the tH
y youngest daughters were housekeepei
Of ihe day was lovely, and the girls, co
le trary to ORDERS ventured to take Poll trc
y his accustomed place in the sunny corn
IN OF the sitting room Cor keeping room, as
il. was then called), placing him in his o,
i, door nook in tho sweet briar bush und
I'd the windows. 1t being Polls first sprl
re airing he was wild with delight, jump
ot about with great glee. until the nall pre-
s. ably weakened by the winter storms, ga
p way and the cage fell to the ground W
y great force. The children. loving the b
ny very dearly, and conscious of their dlsol
Is, dience, quickly ran to tho rescue. cali
ie to Poll to tell them if he was killed.
to raising the cage the frightened bird she
DIS himself vehemently, and jumping uF
nd the perch exclaimed in his gruifest ton
Ch = Poll thought he was going to the dew
on Years had gone by since Poll had use'
by word of the kind, and the children, wh