Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-06-16
JACK AND JENNY.
How a Parrot Had Fun with Dog Until
the Latter Discovered the Joke.

Jack and Jenny belonged to a friend
of mine, says writer in the PhiladCl-
9hia Times. The one frisked on four
legs, the other stood sedately on two.
Jack Dog and Jenny Parrot-these
were their full names. Possession is
nine points of the law" and as Jack
had possession first he was jealous Of
the advent of Jenny, and he showed
it very plainly. But Jenny was good
bird, and there was only one flaw in
her character, and this was that she
would once in a while get democrat
lied and 90 on the warpath, so far as
her voice was concerned. When it be-
gan to grow dusk or when she was left
alone for a short time she certainly
did utter the most ear-piercing shrieks
that ever found their way out Of the
mouth of a well-bred parrot.
Jack thought it all over and evil
IDENTIFY decided that he, as respect
able, peaceful member of the house,
hold, had duty to perform. Conse-
quently, whenever Jenny commenced
to shout Jack trotted up to her cage,
sat down beneath it and administered
a severe reprimand in the shape of
several savage barks. At first this
surprised Jenny so much that it re-
duced her to silence, but she soon be-
gan to resent Jacks officiousness and
scolded back at him in great indigna-
ton, using the same words as her mis-
tress used: You naughty boy, stop
that"
But not bit would Jack stop. So
Jenny followed his example and
thought it over. Then the next time
Jack began to scold Jenny burst out
into such fit of laughter that Jack
stopped in utter amazement, and. go
ing off into the next room, lay down
for a coy nap.
He had hardly got settled when sew
eral terrible shrieks brought him back
in a state of great Indignation. This
time Jenny scolded back until finally
Jack departed aud curled down for a
nap once more. Then she waited till
he was. sound asleep, and again he was
startled by series of unearthly yells.
And up he sprang bristling and bark
ing. Jenny laughed and then relapsed
into a stony silence.
Once more the little dog curled him
self up for nap and once more those
dreadful yells reused him to scold in
dignantly. But Jenny yelled louder
than ever. Jack barked until he was
hoarse and Jenny shouted, laughed,
called him naughty boy, and laughed
again.
Then she stopped and Jack started
for the door, but as he reached it a
shrill scream brought him back. Jen-
ny put her head to one side, a super
cilious smile played around her beak,
and then she opened it wide and began
to bark just as loud and as fastas Jack
himself Poor Jack! That was the
zone drop too much" An utter ST.
lence fell upon him, and he stared at
the cage for several minutes in deepest
amazement and disgust.
Meantime Jenny kept on barking, an
exact imitation of Jacks most savage
performances, interfering an occa-
sional "ho! no! HOP as though full of
glee. as no doubt she was.
And presently the joke began to
dawn on the little dog. He tucked his
tail away behind his legs, dropped
his head and walked dejectedly to the
door, and as he passed through Jenny
uttered one yell of triumphant glee
and shOuted:
"Good-by, Jack, goodby" and then
burst out into fit of laughter as if
she thought it the best joke of the
season. And SO it was.
After that not all of Jenny's shrieks
could lure Jack from his coy rug; he
had had enough of such antics, and
even when Jenny derisively barked at
him he uttered only low, very low
grOWl.