The morning call., 1892-12-18
POLLY WAS SEASICK.
A Carefully Educated Parrot Causes
Much Distress.


Much Distress.
Three years ago George Barnet, well
known In local mining circles as an expert
OF more than ordinary attachments, took his
departure for Venezuela, where he had
been appointed superintendent of a very
extensive venture which English capitalists
had undertaken in that isolated and little
known section of the continent.
Barnets departure was regretted by a
large circle of sincere friends. Among
others was most amiable lady, whose one
weakness, If it could be termed weakness,
was fonduess for pets. She had long de-
sired 10 possess parrot that would talk.
and had upon several occasions purchased
one at the local stores. but had never been
successful in getting one that had not
shocked her sensibili;ies and been the
cause OF modification by unexpected sallies
of yulgarity or profanity upon the most ill.,
oppoTtune occasions.
The lady despaired Of ever being able to
crafty her whlm, and her gentle heart
almost became convert TO the idea that
parrot was partner of the evil one. and a
standing exemplihcatlon of the theory OF
original sin.
When Barnet left for South America he
made prom ise to the lady that he would
capture bird and educate him in the strict
est lines OF proprieIy. He guaranteed that
o improper phrases should ever be uttered
In the birds hearing, and that only the
purest principles should be instilled into its
mind.
Barnet's promise was not intended TO be
forgotten, and on his arrival in Venezuela
he procured large number of birds from
which to choose one having the necessary
qualifications of youth and beauty The
choice made the education began. and in a
letter written after years hard work at
teaching Barnet trlumphantly announced
that the parrot was indeed paragon. 1t
can" so he wrote, sing, whistle and talk
as never parrot performed before"
After long journey from the mining
camp In the interior and over the Isthmus
OF Panama, the parrot was finally delivered
on board OF one of the steamers running TO
this port, where 1t safely arrived after
prolonged and unusually tempestuous Yoy-
age.
The lady to whom the parrot was con-
signed was enraptured at the gift. 1t was
of uncommon size and eolored green, with
bright, cardinal feathers Ia each wing. L
seemed remarkably intelligent also, and the
receiver took 1t at once to her heart and
prepared to bestow upon it the wealth Of
affection which she supposed the bird was
hungering for.
Little by little the accomplishments
which had been taught the bird began TO be
displayed. Polly put the kettle on. we'll
many other phrases which Polly had learned
were repeated for the dedication of ad-
mlrlng audiences, who were thrown into
raptures when Polly Warbled in its shrill
falsetto tones. 1.-THE Star-spangled Banner"
with variations. 1T almost seems" re-
marked the proud owner of Polly after an
unusually successful effort OF the bird, "as
though George was home again"
But this bliss was too great to endure,
and Polly's downfall came at last in a most
decided and unexpected manner. 1t hap
pened one day, and for the first time, that
Polly's perch was transferred from the
library TO the dining-room while the family
were al their meals. The act of eating
seemed to be associated 10 Poliy's mind with
some well-remembered expereces of its
journey on the steamer. Lord bless my
soul, steward. steward. On N.Y." vocifer-
ated the parrot, which then commenced 70
initiate the sounds which are heard amcng
q crowd OF passengers suffering from the
horrors OF seasickness in its most aggra-
waited form.
1tseemed to forget all else that Ii had ever
learned and confined itself to the vocabulary
which had SO Impressed itself on its under
standing during that stormy time on board
the Panama steamer.
1t became at last too distressing With
tears Polly was disposed of by its fond
owner and at last it came TO occupy a con-
genial perch among Bill Bendt's museum of
curiosties down on Clay street At any
hour Of the day Polly can there be heard
screechlpg out Steward, steward OIL, my 20