West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1891-07-16
zENo's cAPERs.
A Texas Pirrot Thst was Exceptionally
IirclY and Sanr.Inna.

A Texas Pirrot That was Exceptionally
Lively and SagGcious.
Zcno was an inmate Of our house for
many years, says Houston Crex.) cor
respondent Of the st. Louis Globe
Democrat, and during that time seemed
TO become almost - member of the
family, so peculiar was his character
and SD marked his individuality. lie was
a pretty parrot, with such lovely
shades mingled with the green on his
shoulders and such brilliant rcd on his
wings, that we children thought him
the very paragon OF parrots. How
many times have seen him sidle up TO
mother when she would be a little pale
and still, and. climbing up TO tho back
Of her chair, lean over her shoulder and
peer into her face, asking sympathetic
ally: what's the matter? Got n
hcadachc?" Ny sister Nell was little
fond OF standing before the glass, and
whenever Zeno caught her there he
never failed 20 climb 20 the bureau and
strut back and forth before the mirror,
exclnitaing: Just sec us! Ant we
prctty?" until Nell was fairly driven
away.
Icno always noticed strangers very
critically, and am sorry 20 say that hc
got into the habit Of making remarks
about them. very elegant young
gentleman called on sister Nell one
evening, and we didn't know that
parrot was in the room until suddenly
there he was, ont in the middle of the
floor, promcnading back and forth In
front OF the young man, twisting his
head about and crying: "Oh, myI Just
look at usi Ant we finew Sister
Nell got the broom and swept Zcno
out, and he shouted Murder! Oh, myl
But ant we flne!" I'LL the way TO the
kitchen. The young man was very
much offended. though, as he thought
we had put Zeno up 90 IL. and he never
came back any more.
One OF Zcno's chief amusernents was
worrying the chickens. lie would spend
hours IN the poultry-yard. and would
slowly slip up behind a hen that was
scratching or was taking a dustbath,
and would twcnlS her feathers unrnerci +
fully, sometimes pulling them out, and
tho hens would run cacltling and
squawlSing away, while the parrot
would walk up and down and chuclxlc.
as nearly ns parrot can. In few mo-
mcnts the hens would forget the Incl
dent, and Zcno would select another
victim and begin to sidle around to sur
prise her In turn.
On one occasion, however, Zeno made
a slight miscllculation. He succeeded
in slipping up on the hen he had Sc
lectcd, and twcalSing her feathers with
great vigor prepared to step back and
enjoy his usual chucllc; but the hen
proved 70 be new game rooster which
brother John had brought horne that
morning. Mot.ler heard wild Tapping
of wings, cackliug and screaming, but
did not hurry TO see what was the mat
ter, as Heno was always creating a dis
turbancc among tho fowls. When she
went ut last, she met Zeno coming in at
tae back door, his head covered with
blood, and every feather rumpled,
dragglcd and dirty.
why, poor Xcuo! What has han
pcned2' cried mother in dislnav, but
Heno waddled past her, enchanting:
Never mind mel Go and tend to the
hem"
He had bitten the ROSTERS bill OF.
and Johns prize had TO be killed, but
Ieno never had any taste after that for
Shipping up on unwary hens.