The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1886-07-17
"POLLY-JOCKO."

Father Brought from Africa.
When Jocko was delivered into
Johns hands, almost the first thing he
said to his delighted little master was:
81 am Polly-Jocko; who are youP"
Some of the sailors had taught him
this greeting, and also to call himself
" Polly-Jocko," which he generally
did.
John had seen several grown par
rots, but none like his new pet, who
was of beautiful gray color, with a
bright red tail, and some soft, pinkish
feathers far down on his breast. This
is called an african gray parrot,
and is usually 4 fine talker.
You may be sure that Jocko and
John soon became fast friends, and the
parrot would let John do almost any
thing he pleased with him. At John S
order he would lie on the floor on his
back, with his feet in the air, pretend
ing to be dead | must confess he
sometimes grew tired of keeping his
eyes shut, and slyly peeped. Or he
would let his master take him up and
|. cuddle him in his neck, as You would
pet kitten, and when John said:
kiss me, Poily-Jocko" the bird
would put his beak close to the boy
cheek, and, touching it with his funny
black tongue, would make a noise like
drawing a cork out of bottle, which
was his kiss.
The gate at the entrance to the front
yard had long iron chain, and one of
JOckO's principal amusements was to
cling to this chain while John swung
it violently back and forth. Sometimes
the chain would force the bird to make
real somersault, and then he would
scream with delight and shout "Hur-
rah, boys! Hurrah!" as he had learned
it from John.
He liked tall wicker rOcking-chair
that stood by the library window better
than any other playground, and John S
father used to say it was because the
cane seat and bamboo back reminded
him of his native land.
Whatever the reason was Polly dear
ly loved to get out of his cage, Chamber
on the back of that chair, and look out
of the window. He soon learned to
know the postman, and when he saw
him coming, would cry: "Postman's
coming! Postman's coming! Elizal
Eliza" Eliza being the maid, who al
ways took the letters at the door.
He was such gentle little creature
that every body loved him. When he
was walking about on the floor, even
a stranger could persuade him to
"come and get his head scratched, "
which he enjoyed ike a cat. And he
would "shake hands, in the most
friendly way with any one who asked
him.
But he was very mischievous, too
Sometimes when Johns mother had
her work-basket on the table, Jocko
would steal her thread, her thimble, or
even her little scissors, and run off and
hide them Once the thimble could
not be found. Mamma had looked for
it in every place she could think of,
and at last she said:
John, that naughty Jocbo must
have hidden my thlmble. Perhaps if
you let him out again, and then sit
here quietly with a book, and do not
say any thing to him, he will go and
find it."
SO the cage door was opened, and
every body left the room but John,
who sat very still with a book in his
hand. Out stepped Master JOcko very
daintily from his house, and began, as
he often did, to talk to himself in a
gentle tone
Come, Polly! Come, Polly-Jockol
Come Come! Gomez
Two or three times he walked about
the room, peering into this and that,
then suddenly, as if he remembered
something, he started for the hall door.
John followed quietly, and from what
hiding-place do you think that naughty
bird took the lost thimble, as well as
Johns slate-peneil and bit of bread
Why, from papa's overshoe, which he
had left in the hall that morning
They all laughed, and then scolded
JockO, and after that they said to hin
so often: Jocko can find it., that he
learned to put his head wisely on one
side, and say solemnly: ats lost
JOcko can find it."
He could sing ''Pretty, pretty Polly
Hopkins IS we'll as John himself. anc
yankee Doodle" was one of his ia
yorites. Often when he was alone il
the room he would laugh and chuck,
and talk to himself in such q funn,
way that l did not wonder when a ser
want in the house-an ignorant girl
said:
Sure, ma'am, the burrud has al
anvil sperrit in him!n
After John had been Jocko's maste
for a few months, his grandmothe
came to pay visit and brought he
parrot with her.
"Polly King" as he was called
grandmother name being King-wa
not at all like Polly-Jocko. lie was
fierce, cross bird. who would let nc