The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1886-10-02

Flows tie beautiful fountain Of youth
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PRETTY POLLY
Story Of Two Parrots which Jeha's
Father Brought from Africa.
When Jocko was delivered into
Johns hands, almost the first thing he
said to his delighted little master was:
"I am Polly-Jocko; who are your'
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 pct who
was Of . beautiful gray color. with
bright red tail. and some soft, pinkish
feathers far down on his breast. This
Is called an 'sAfrican gray" parrot,
and is usually 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 Johns
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, ~ you would
pet kitten, and when John said:
/" kiss me, Poily-Jocko!' the bird
would put his beak close to the boys
cheek, and, touching it with his funny
black tongue, would make noise like
drawing cork out of bottle. which
was his kiss.
The gate at the entrance to tho 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
q real somersault, and then he would
scream with delight and shout: '.Hur-
rah, boys! Hurrahr' As he had learned
It from John.
He liked tall wicker rockingham
that stood by the library window better
than any other playground, and Johns
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 10
know the postman. and when he saw
him coming. would cry: ''Postman's
coming! Postman's coming! Elisa!
Eliza!" Eliza being the maid, who Al
ways took the letters 1t the door.
He was such . gentle little creature
that every body loved him. When he
was walking about on the floor, even
q stranger could persuade him 10
s'come and get his head scratched.
which he enjoyed Ike = 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 of and
hide them Once the thimble could
not be found Mamma had looked for
| it in every place che could think Of,
and 1t last she said:
John, that naughty Jocko must
have hidden my thimble. Perhaps Il
you let him out again, and then sit
here quietly with . book. and do not
say any thing 70 him. he will go and
find it.
So the cage door vas opened. and
| every body left the room but John,
| who sat very still with . book In his
hand. Out stepped Master Jocko very
| dainti1y from his house, and began, -
he often did. to talk to himself in =
| gentle tone:
Come, Pollyl Come, Polly-Jocko!
Come! Come! Conner
Two or three times be walked about
tho room. peering into this and that,
then suddenly, = Il he remembered
something. be started for the hall door.
John followed quietly, and from Whist
| hiding-place do you think that naughty
bird took the lost thimble, - well "a
| John g slato-pencil and = bit Of breadl
! Why, from papa's overshoe, which he
had left in the hall that. morning!
They all laughed, and then scolded
| Jocko, and alter that they said to him
| 90 often: "J0ck0 can find il, that be
learned to put his bead wisely on one
i 5octo e csn anS e" : =
He could sing pretty, pretty Polly
Hopkins" as we'll as John himself, and
"Yankee Doodle was one 81 his f.
| vorites. Often when No was alone il
The room he would laugh and chuekle
and talk to himself n such : funny