Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-03-20
fAW0NDERFu1-PARRoE.
[Chambers' Journal

cuplOy Su . CUuuOIS5tuI 10 make G0e puT.
scarlet tail When she came 10 me, the bird
had never spoken, and it was some weeks be-
IS1e sse ds took great PENS with her
distinctly, and Pon soon caught the tones Of
my voice, though never anticipated that she
would become the clever, intelligent bird she
0lu. her speaking powers were wonderful
NOT as simple imitation of words, but like
reasoning, thinking creature. Poll was exces-
s sy proud and sensitive. Sometimes my
GUS manner, when she would only shrug her
shoulders and relapse into silence, as II he were
qulIe beneath her contempt
There were two dear friends who at that time
were constant visitors. Polly was great
favorite with them, and a source Of much
amusement to both. One day while we were
coming across the field at a short distance, and
called to me:-"Here's W and R coming;
they will want their dinner. Won't Lizzy be
Nonsense, Polly" said. 'Don't tell stories.
They are not coming; and If they were, you
could not see them:" not supposing her sight
Gwen, youn see" replied Polly.
In few moments the bell rang. and Mr.:
W and Mr.. R appeared. Nothing could
and mischief, and had to be carried away into
the kitchen to the cook, who, to her no little
annoyance, had to prepare an impromptu din
to her old place. By this time she was thorough
~ excited, and began praising herself and her
dear mistress. Mr.. R, who thoroughly ad-
mired the bird, led the conversation.
First She looked at her foot ssWhat beauti
full foot! What tail, and a red one too"
Yes, Polly, you are beautiful bird, and
clever Gle, one as well: You saw us coming across
You are knowing bird Polly"
"Ha, hal" with her curious laugh. "Polly is
ao Sleyer biTd Pollys neaut1tu bird What
We all laughed heartily, in which she Joined
MI; K said: q Well done. You ought to be
sent to college to teach the students eiocution."
One OF the most singular instances Of her in
telligence and great naughtiness was the fol-
lowing lowing One morning had gone from home. A
not knowing that she was very savage, opened
1t. Polly flew at her hand. The girf was
frightened, left the door open, and ran away;
the front garden. The cook saw her, and called;
put the bird would not come back so thinking
1t was best to leave her until my return, cook
watched her climb into tree,
had had experience of Polly's perverse dis
position, and knew that only by stratagem
could manage her. l walked down the path
ana carrying favorite cat with me, sat down
and pet her. Poor Pussy! poor Pussy! You
shall be my pet now. Polly has gone away and
let me-" l often bought her sweet biscuit,
cat, still stroking her. My ruse had succeeded:
had reused her Jealousy. I heard rustling in
the sn BRANCHES and presently Polly called out
l did not take any notice; but still fondllng
the cat, said. "Come, Pussy. We will go and
see If dinner is ready"
Matters were now progressing. glanced up,
and saw Polly quietly descending the tree; and
when she came to the bottom, cried: "Polly's
out; Polly has been walk
$50 see. Polly can stop out altogether now,
If she likes"
PUSSY is fool-a horrid fool" Her temper
was thoroughly reused She came me, climbed
upon my knee. and rubbed her pretty head
I 40 folk ffar
this strong paddock was put upon her cage, to
prevent any more ree-escapades
we mad avery handsome peacock, whicn Polly
lawn. 1t was absurd to see the strutting bird,
his pride and self-assumptfon, and equally anu
sing to listen to Polly talking to him. We called
here, Ralph-beautiful Ralph, handsome Ralph!
Come, spread your TAIL"
The tail would be outSpread.
"Oh, you beauty! Now, stamp-stamp your
foot, good, clever Ralph"
, One day While listening to such talk as this,
she turned TO me and demurely said: 'What a
fool that Ralph isl"
Nay, Polly; Ralph is not fool; he is very
clever bird. and like him.
whenever she was rot pleased, she shrugged
her e1 shoulders u as If in der1slon. Now say
one OF those awful cries that peacocks alone can
utter. Polly therefore gave another in 1mita-
ton, and laughing loudly, shrieked: "Ralph is
shall die OF laughing"
remarkable instance Of her jealous temper
was displayed to parrot which had been plr-
hoping that 1t would learn to speak If it asso-
ciated with my bird. But Polly conceived an
tnveterate dislike to the interloper. treating it
knew. They were both in the dining-room one
morning. had trained her SO well to be silent
during FAMILY worship that she never disturbed
very loud; but Polly knew that all noise was
wrong. BY Way of Gliding her ill-bred COM
panion she said in a whisper: 'Hush, hush
was over. she burst OUT You naughty. wicked wicked
biid-you horrid bird, you kitchen bridget out,
get out! Away with you!" After this, we saw
1t was useless to employ her as an instructress,
and so sent the dispfsed bird home. '''(' ('
Nevertheless she had her favOrites and was
very kind to them, She was very fond OF the
cal cat. and ata would eau her to the cage But the
mouse. The winter was very cold, and as Polly
suffered much from 1t, she was taken every
night to my bedroom, where there was fire,
and her cage placed on low stool near it. One
night heard her talking in low tone. / list
ened, and heard her say: Pretty little dear
pretty darling. Polly won't hurt you-Polly
won't bite you"
Wondering what she meant, for was sure
that she was not talking to me, l got out of
ped and went to her cage. There, In the bottom
wires, FEEDING quite contentedly, and without
any sign of fear. ] often saw the tiny creature
come In and out OF Pollys cage, nor did she ever
eVSuiYt WluJuie ~ VI Drive a. away. Her speech
was very peculiar when those she did not like
were present. She had great dislike to my
husband; suppose from feeling of jealousy,
and always seemed unhappy when he was near
A rev months after our marriage we paid
short visit to my father and one day when /
was alone with Poll In the dining room she said
to me in her tenderest tones: !" Why did you 20
away and get married, dear? Why did you 90 to
Scotiand, and leave your own Polly? Polly loves
you Don't go away again and leave me! Ma
cried when you left and went away. Don't
leave Polly again."
He had never before heard her speak In such
gentle manner, and before my husband en-
tered the room he thought l was In conversa-
ttOn with friend, AMI paused outside to listen
He has never forgotten the impression made
upon him by that touching colloduy. We had
to leave Polly behind under mamma's care, and
In writing to me afterward she told me that the
dear bird would talk about me continually. One
day mamma said to her." Polly, l am writing
to your mistress. Shall send your lover"
20, yes; and here's pretty feather. E.
loves Polly's feathers" 1t was sent to me- and
have it still. But, unfortunately for Polly's
beauty, she bit OF nearly all her scarlet feathers
to SEND 10 me!
When revisited my former home I took my
little baby with me. Polly was delighted. It
was something belonging to her dear mistress,
and must be loved. When any one called, she
would say:-"Have you seen the baby? Such
beauty! Give 1t to me. Polly won't bite it;
Polly will only kiss it." had full confidence In
her love for me; but need scarcely say never
tried her affection for the little one. She, like
other pets. has passed away but is not FORGOT