The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-01-16
A PARROTS EVIDENCE.
How It Drought Two Efurderers
to Justice.

1t was midnight in tho city and the
lamp nickercd dimly through tho wintry
mist.
In drcary attic in tho suburbs an
old man sat shivcring over a flreless
stove.
Its gcttin' colder. polly-gcttin'
colder" he mumblcd, and from a corner
in the room strange drowsy voice
echoed:
"Irs gct.in' colder. polly-gottin'
COLDER
IL WAS "Poll," the miser's parrot.
This wrctchcd being, who loved no
human soul. and was loved OF none, had
yet strange affection for this bird.
that shared his loneliness and misery
in that cold and wrctchcd habitation.
We'll have to make fire, Polly"
said the old man, hobbling to a corner
whcrc there was = box OF wood and coal.
Well have make fire. But, Lord.
low it costs! How it cos;s!"
The parrot repeated tho words after
him, and then with an evident scream
OF delight flow from its chilly perch in
the corner TO the old mans chair bv tho
stove.
"Ah. YOU don't care for the cost"
grnmb!cd the miscr as he placed few
splintcrs in tic stove, you don't know
what money il, Polly; you don't know
what it is"
The bird eyed him reproachfully ut
this arraignmcnt Of its intelligence,
but said mover word.
Soon tho stove was roaring with com
Portable promise of warmth. but. though
his old homes were COL enough, God
knows. tho miscr did not enjoy it. "It's
burning up my money" he mnttcred to
himself. burning up gold dollars~
lie sat there nodding and muttering
over the blaze. Tho parrot had pcrchcd
upon his shoulder ana was doing dream
lily.
Suddenly tho bird screamcd-a wild.
shr:ll scream il was-and flow affrighted
20 it's accustomed corner.
The old man started up in terror. His
keen ear caught tho sound of muflied
voices jus; outside his door. Then he
heard the lock click.
What could it meauo
"Whn is thcre?" no cried In weak and
quav"ring tones. WHO Is thcre?"
And III Il shrill voice the parrot echoed:
''Wlio Is tbcrc?"
The clicking OF tho clock ceased The
miscr moved trcniblingly, but noiseless.
~. TO tho door and listened. Presently
he heard voices:
There's some one in thore with him.
! heard two voices"
You're fool. That was his parrot
that Knocked him when no asked: Who's
thcrc?' Lets forco the door"
The old man waited not to hear more.
Ito rushed to the window. and in feeble
tones cried out to the desolate night:
"Help! Help! Murder! Murderl"
And tho terrified bird repeated after
him: 'Ilclp! Help! Murder! Murder"
Eut not far into tho night those cries
Of terror went, and no ono seemed to
hear them. Tho heavy mist muflled
and chokcd the sounGs, as II TO shield q
crimo.
The door was opened. Two men with
masked faces rushed an and seized tho
miser, pinning him to tho floor. with
heavy, cruel hands upon his throat
Another sound" they cried in hoarse
whispers. land VIC will strangle you
where you lie!'
Curse tho bird" cried one, as tho
parrot flew screaming about the room
"lIc'll givo us away"
kill it," cried the other, still holding
tho miscr with vice-liko grip. Wiring
Its neck"
But this they coull not do. Whether
tho bird knew its dargcror not it ceased
screaming when these words wcIc spoken
and hid itself out of hart,'s reach.
"Trll us whore your mon is" cried
tho mon. ''or we'll stranSlo you'll"
II haven't got any money" moaned
Tho old man. Take your knees OF my