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

tears were turned To merry laughter, al
ways affirmed that they had evidence of
his penitence in the fact that he was
never known to repeat the Oiftnse.
Polly S religion did not save him from
his inveterate habit of tale bearing. As
the daughters grew up 10 womanhool,
there cOull be no counting done in that
chimney corner, for Poll would tell. When
the second daughter was about 10 be mar
ried, considerable anxiety was expressed
in reference TO keeping the approaching
marriage from gossiping neighbor until
the bans We're published on the following
Sabbath. Poll heard the talk between the
young couple during that twilight hour.
Before the Sabbath came, this neighbor
called to see the family. As soon rs she
entered the sitting room, Poll began 10
make great commotion in his cage,
swinging and dancing at fearful rate, un-
til he attracted her notice, when in II sing
ing tone lie repeated over and over again:
" George and Rose going to be married,
to be married. TO be married" "
But Poll, rs he advanced in years, grew
more thoughtful. After The removal of the
family to the home on Transit street, he
was more than ever before associated with
its religious life. All Father bod IS daugh-
ters were singers what a 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 nj the house took the
first opportunity at the close Of one of the
meetings, 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, us soon as
the hymn was read. and the good sister
was about to commence to sing it in her
spirited way, Poll electrified the large
worshiping company by repeating in his
loudest, clearest tones the admonition he
had so recently heard, " SILLY, don let
that Methodist body beat yOu!' We
omit the scene ut the close of the meeting
Poor Poll was in disgrace. Poll was op-
posed to 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 exer-
cises, and called out, Brother Bushee,
close the meeting by prayer" The brother
thus abruptly called upon was sitting with
closed eyes, waiting for IN opportunity to
eXhort; sadly embarrassed, and wonder
| ing at the sudden termination of the meet
| ing, he arose and offered an appropriate
closing prayer. Poll was removed from
the room by II member of the family, |
much to the chagrin Of the young people, |
who believed he should be allowed full |
liberty to exercise his gifts. Poll must
have had some idea of this principle, for
at another time he gave life and spirit 10 II
dull Injecting, by saying in quick energetic
| tpn R,,aih 10 rt,rt y liz
power Of speech was clear and strong, and
as he advanced in years, sententous. 1t
was not n strange thing for age as well rs
youth to receive words Of caution or re.
proof.
One bright summer afternoon, Mrs
DOds was engaged in making copper plate
curtains for the windows; several Of the
good sisters of the First church were as
sisting in the work. There was pleasant
converse with long and earnest discussion
us to the best method of draping the cur
tains. There was n good deal Of measur
ing and puzzling, in trying to decide
whether they should allow for Il frll at the
top, or 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' own net
ting, should be used. etc. Poll was grave
and quiet watching all the doings with
great interest, bat this manifestation of
extreme worldlinesS was too much for
him to bear. Improving IL pause in the
conversation he spoke out in his sharpcst
manner, "MOtber Dods, curtains, curtains
all curtains, and no religion today
Shall we tax the credulity of the readers
by adding that those women, startled by
this rebuke, laid aside their work, and at
once joined in singing, Come thou fount
of every blessing" thus commencing an
informal religious service We know
whereof we write. In age and increasing
feebeness. Poll did not lose his remarkable
memory. A beloved sister in the church
{" Sister Ross y who was Il frequent
, visitor at the house, and very fond of Poll,
died very suddenly. More than two years
elapsed when u lady called on Mrs. Dods,
who, in size and dress. resembled this
,, deceased sister. Poll WAS very much eX-
cited, and putting his head through the
wires of his cage looked ut her very
, earnestly. To the establishment of all pres
ent he soon inquired, as that Sister Ross?"
, On being answered in the negative, he
, showed his disappointment by refusing to
i. speak or leave his swing while the visitor
remained. We now come to the time
when Poll WAS old and gray headed, his
strength gone. Receiving the tenderest
oare, he fingered many months after he
was stricken with wasting decay. With
; the first breath Of the winter of 1920 Poll
n passed away quietly and peacefully. 1t
F was stormy winter day when the chill
dren of the ncighberhood gathered around
ha Ia hat tpi all hat VI -
> left of his bird life and bore it lovingly 10
-, the foot Of the garden, giving it decent
y burial.-Letter TO Precedence JourmaL.