The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-06-27
MY AUNTS COCKATOO.
New Version Of the Story of the
Goose and Golden Egg.

My Aunt Matilda at the time of her
death was good bit over seventy years
of age. AS long as can remember she
had been the same in appearances
staid old lady, somewhat diminutive in
height. and decidedly of what Scotch
people call ''perjink" manner and ap-
pearance. From year to year she scarce
ly ever varied her style of dress in the
slightest particular, and rigidly adj
hered to the same mode of doing her
hair as it had been done in the days
of her youth. This consisted of bring
ing her somewhat scanty locks low
down over the forehead. and eliminated
in ''corkscrewy" ringlet dangling at
each cheek, which she often assured me
was without doubt the only sensible
style of couture, and in her early days
had been allowed to be specially
adapted to her cast of features, and was
considered ''most killing" Whatever
my own opinion, it was my interest to
agree; so never disputed her conten-
ton. may as we'll admit at once that
I had very good reasons for keeping on
the best of terms with my aunt. She
was possessed of considerable means,
spent little or nothing, and, with the
exception of my cousin, Bob Steele, had
no living relation but myself
My aunt had never been married.
not for want of offers, she frequently
Informed me-detested children, and
nd of
ton on an. ancient white cockatoo,
which had been in her possession for l
10 not know the number of years, and
was possibly as old as herself. She
positively dotted on the bird; but there
was no cause for jealousy on my part, as
,he could hardly leave her money to her
pet, and that was the main thing. At
che same time never could abide the
creature. 1t neither spoke nor whistled,
md with the exception of now and then
Indulging in most unearthly
"squawk," was totally devoid of vocal
mplishments. In Aunt Matilda's
syes, however, it was paragon OF
tense and cleverness. There was no
bird in the wide world like "dear
cockie"; and to have limited at the con-
,rary would have been rank heresy, and
demolished all my hopes Of favorable
mention in her last will and testament.
In truth, once, when a lad, had mar
:ow escape from such fate. Even then
lhated the creature, and never missed
chance of tormenting it when L could
10 so without fear of discovery. One
lay, however, 1 was fairly caught
;aught, in fact, in double sense. While
.ndulging in some sly digs at the cock
ltoo, he suddenly made a grab at my
aand and took piece clean out of one
If my fingers. My frantic yells at once
brought my aunt upon the scene, and 1
had to confess 1 had been taking I'M
warrantable liberties with her favorite.
Of course caught it hot. No anxiety
finger; all my aunt's endearments were
reserved for her pet, and grave fears
expressed lest he should have swallowed
the piece and it might disagree with
him. You know" she remarked in
serious tone, "you know, Ebenezer,
ne has never been accustomed to eating
.aw meat!'
1t took some time to reinstate me in
aunt Matilda's good graces, but from
nat day had an almost uncomfortable
lclination to wiring that birds neck.
Some years after this unfortunate
pisode 1 really thought we had seen
she last of my bette nOire. One fine morn
.ng he somehow or other managed to
get free, and the window being open,
he unceremoniously took his departure.
Aunt Matilda was in despair, and was
It once sent for. I found her in ter
;ible state, perfectly PROSTATE with agi-
sation and grief. Men were dispatched
n all directions, advertisements in
serted in the newspapers and no money
Or pains spared to effect the recovery of
the absconding cockatoo. In my heart
fervently prayed the bird would never
be found alive again, but was con-
strained by circumstances to exhibit an
appearance of anxiety and diligence in
the search which I certainly did not
feel. AS luck would have it, however,
after an absence of three days the truant
was ANONYMOUSLY brought home in
,oot-bag, having been discovered by a
chimney sweep in disused fue. Into
this he had either fallen or had taken
refuge in it from the inclemency of the
weather. He was in filthy and rather
emaciated condition, and it was only
after thorough washing that my aunt
was able to recognize her 'dear Cookie"
Her joy at his recovery was excessive,
and even I came in for share of thanks
amid the general rejoicing for my
praiseworthy exertions! From that
time my aunt seemed to regard me with
altered feelings, and my hopes rose
high as one day she informed me, in
confidence, that she was going to make
her will and would mot forget" me.
Meantime, the cockatoo's cage had
been found to be defective. and a new
one was specially constructed for him.
1t was made according to his mistress
directions, extra precautions being
taken to prevent second escape. Not
content with this, silver ring, or col
lar, was also procured with her name
and address engraved upon it. This,
after good deal of expostulation on
the part of the bird, was securely fixed
round his neck, much to his disgust.
He spent several days in fruitless efforts
to claw it off with his feet; but in time
got used to it, and his feathers growing
over it, it was scarcely noticeable to a
casual observer.
My cousin, Bob Steele, and 1 often
met at Aunt Matilda's, and to all ap-
pearance were on thoroughly friendly
terms, as cousins ought to be-. Some
how or other, however, Bob and ] were
never very intimate; and when we left
our aunt's we generally parted at the
first corner. No doubt Bob had eek
pectations" like myself, and there may
have been little feeling of rivalry be-
tween us; but after my aunt's confden-
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