Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1896-05-29

1t seems to be the nature of par
rots to be at least inquisitive, and
when opportunity occurs they are
liable to do mischief. But Polly soon
learned, when left alone, to disturb
nothing nor would she allow any one
of the family who chanced to enter in
my absence to NEEDLE with anything.
"When my wife was dying, Polly
seemed to understand the situation
and TO manifest an interest almos:
superhuman. Every day the parro.
would 60 and sit by her shoulder for
some time. Polly would return to
her cage and quietly remain for hours.
When death came, the parrot crept
very softly and carefully up to the
pillow, and after looking at her mis-
tress for short time, she returned to
my hand in a manner which expressed
the feeling that Il have taken my last
| iOOh lONCu tuiSII6Ss.
Whenever the company present
engaged in an earnest conversation,
Polly would sit and listen very atten-
lively until she thought it about time
for herself to have voice in the SUBJ
ject, and the opportunity occurring,
she would straighten up to her full
hight, and with oil the dignity of a
Judge on the bench, and the earnest.
ness of an evangelist, commence a
harangue in perfect imitation of an
animated speaker, that would silence
the others and command the closest
attention, finally ending her seeming
speech with: 'All right, right away
quick when she would appreciate ap-
plause with as much satisfaction as
any other participant.
"Now as to future state for either
Polly or myself, l know nothing, and
from the various conflicting opinions
OF those who claim to know, 1 have
been unable to obtain any satisfactory
information. Some religious teach
metempsychosis, reincarnation, and
some OF the prominent scientists of
the day declare for evolution. While
most of the prominent religious sects
assert that there are two conditions
for the whole human race: One of
eternal JOY and happiness for all those
who are ready to, and declare, belief
in the statements and teaching from
that remarkable book, with all its
marvellous and seemingly incredible
stories which reason ignores, and only
the eye OF faith can see clearly. The
writer is lacking the eye OF faith to see
clearly the sea divided rs represented,
with the water standing in solid walls
on either side, with millions of people
passing safely through 10 the high
land, or Jonah inside the whale, steer
ing him straight TO the nearest land.
with all the rest of the wonderful and
incomprehensible which the book con.
tains, or that all the righteous,
no matter what their previous
life and conduct may have been, are
entitled to an eternal residence in that
city described in the 2lst chapter of
Revelations, while all those who have
doubts upon the subject or lack faith
in the stories can learn their destiny
by consulting Jonathan Edwards, de.
scription of which Widow Peabody"
says was so consolin' and comfortin'.'
BY the way, the writer once had lit
tie whale adventure of his own, but of
very different experience from that
OF Jonah. Instead Of being taken in
side and given three days and three
nights passage, and safely landed high
and dry on the beach, he was left out.
side with only an oar, about four miles
from land, which, instead of attempt
ing to reach, he exerted the most
strenuous efforts to avoid, as it lay in
the wrong direction to be available,
being straight below, and when
reached would have been very wet and
not at all conducive to health or Ion.
gevity. Our greatest anxiety and fear
just then was that some other big fish
already prepared might happen along
aud offer his services, which if not
urged too forcibly woulJ have been
most respectfully declined. We OBJ
serve that of all the religions OF man.
kind, the ideas and descriptions of a
future life and its enjoyments corre.-
pond with their ideas and conception
of pleasure and enjoyment in this
world; and We hope that they may all
be gratified, and find it just as they
want it, if they are deserving OF it. As
the Mohammedan's greatest ambition
and desire in this life is beautiful
harem filled with the most voluptuous
women that can be procured, so his
future corresponds with the same idea
only to a greater extent, with more
beautiful beings than this earth is
capable OF producing. Consequently
the houries are prepared expressly for
the faithful, while those who have
served their purpose here and fulfilled
their destiny drop out of existence en-.
tirely. 1t is only six hundred years
since the Christian fathers in solemn
conclave decided that women have
souls, and that by only one vote in the
affirmative. So the ladies can see how
near they came to being relegated to
the same category (oblivion) as the
parrots. or even as the vilest reptile.
that crawl upon the earth.