Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-01-17

soon succeeded, on removing some lumber,
in releasing beautiful dovc.colorcd male
parrot, with brilliant tail of bright scarlet
pumagc. The day had already been AN
cvcntful one to MIR Dods who had expert
enced great Joy in the new relation of faith
er Pollys introduction to the family was
therefore kept with that Of the birth Of their
infant daughter, and his subsequent life Of
81 years was intimately connected with the
increase and change incident to the family.
Poll was supposed to be IA fugitive (to use
the words of the record,) from II Guinea
vessel, which had sci sail that day from bold
water his language confirmed that suppo-
sition, calling ''all hands," making use of sea
phrases. and singing suatches of sailor songs.
The profanity OF the bird so astonished and
alarmed the young mother that great pains
were taken to correct his bad habits before
the little daughter could understand such
rough expressions.
Poll was toachnble and soon adapted his
conversation TO his new surroundings. As
one after another was added to the family
circle, hc gave II welcome to each, and watched
over all with great vigilance The names Of
father and mother were spoken rs plainly by
Poll as by the children. If the eldest daugh-
ter Chis contemporary had charge of the cru
die, 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 a
share of his attention his memory was per
feet and sometimes quite distressing.
little truant boy living near 10y gave his
mother so much trouble that She was fire.
quently at the door calling loudly for him, 10y
name. At last the little fellow sickened and
died the mother, overcome by her grief, was
E. l. "a
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 her own tone of voice,
"Geor-die Geor-die :"
At this time Poll was not receiving the
training and nurture of professcdly Chris
tian home strict attention had however been
given to moral education, so sadly neglected
in his youth. As time went on he became
general favorite less self-willed and high
spirited, returning love for love, needing on
ly 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 divine truth,
and received into the fellowship Of the First
Baptist church. Conversion 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 mas
ter, and when at one time the good man was
very seriously i'll 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 80 well known
q. ~. Al
business errand inquired in his broken way
for the man who had zone very religious
dog" he was Immediately directed to Mr..
Dods.
II was not strange that intelligent bird
As Poll should be impressed by these strong
religious influences, and after a few years be
come so accustomed to the evening services
aud fratcrnal greetings rs to really give evil
dence of being IA good Christian parrot
speaking in the conference and prayer meet
ingwhenever an opportunity offered. Hewas
often baushed to some room remote from
the meeting, but when forgotten or for pre-
vious good conduct allowed to remain, would
startle all present by his testimony.
On one occasion, very animated sermon
was scarcely brought to close, when Poll
was pleased to say very graciously That's
II pretty good discourse ="
striking incident in Polls experience
about this time, brought ont the fact that
early influences often undermine the charac-
ter of those which will continue to act with
more or less force. Poor Poll was overcome
by n sudden temptation, and it occurred in a
moment of great hilarty. The older MEM
bers of the household having gone abroad to
spend the day, the two youngest daughters
were housckeepers The day was lovely
and the girls, contrary to orders, ventured to
81 d 1.
sunny corner of the sitting room Cor keeping
room, AS it was then called, placing him in
his outdoor nook in the sweet briar bush un-
der the windows. 1t being Polls first spring
airing he was Wild with delight jumping
about with great glee, until the nail, prUba-
bly, 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 disobedi-
euce, quickly ran to the rescue, calling to
Poll to tell them if he WAS killed. On raising
the cage the frightened bird shook himself
yehemently, and jumping upon the perch *
claimed in his gruffest tones, Poll thought
he was going to the devil Years had gone
by since Poll had used word of the kind,
aud the children, whose tears We're turned to
merry laughter, always affirmed that they
had evidence of his penitence in the fact that
he was never known to repeat the offensr.
Polly r religion did not save HIM from his
inveterate habit of tale-bearing As the
daughters grew up to wOmanhood, there
could be no counting done in that chimney
corner, for Poll would tell. When the sec
ond daughter was about to be married, con
siderable anxiety was expressed IN reference
to keeping the approaching marriage from II
gossiping ntighbor until the bans were pub
lished on the following sabbath. Poll heard
N. A..
that twilight hour. Before the Sabbath came,
this isneighbor calledto see the family. As soonas
she entered the sitting room, POllbegau tomake
great commotiou in his cage, swinging and
dancing ut fearful rate, until he attracted
her notice when in singing tone he repeat
ed 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
more thoughtful. After the removal of the
family to the home on Transit street, he WAS
more than ever before associated with its re
lgious life. All Father Dods daughters were
blessing to the household
The eldest daughter frequently led the sing
ing ut these social meetings. A Methodist
sister sometimes shared this honor with her.
An English minister who was often II guest at
the house took thr first opportunity at the
close of one of the meetings, to say to this
sally, Sally, don't let that Metho-
dist 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 about to commence to sing it in her
spirited way, Poll electrified the large wor-
Shipping company by repeating in his loudest
clearest tones the admontion he had so re-
Gently heard, sally, don't let that Methodist
body beat you 2" We omit the scene at the
close of the meeting. Poor Poll was in dis
grace. Poll was opposed to long meetings,
and more than once called on different breth-
rem to close the meeting. On particular
occasion, he seemed to soon tire of the regu-
lar exercises, and called out, Bro Bushee,
close the meeting by prayer" The brother
thus abruptly called upon was sitting with
closed eyes, waiting for an opportunity to ex-
hort sadly embarrassed, and wondering at
the sudden termination of the meeting, he
arose and offered an appropriate closing
prayer. Poll was removed from the room by
a member of the family, much to the chagrin
of the young people, who believed he should
be allowed full liberty to exercise his gifts