The times., 1898-09-18
Celia Thaxter,, Parrot.

A few years ago when Miss Thaxter
lived on an island of the coast of New
England among her flowers and birds
was gay parrot that she had inherited
from her mother. But it must be admit
ted that Polly, however much she was
endeared to the poet through long asso-
ciatioon with her family, was roundly
hated by the islanders.
Although only a bird, she was like an
extremely disagreeable person, and hav-
ing passed nearly all her life in the So
ciety of human beings instead of with
her fellow parrots. she had taken on their
views and ili-mannered ways, instead of
their virtues, very much as do savages
when brought into contact with civilZa-
ton.
One of the ways by which Polly made
herself disa greeable was through her DOW
ers of mimicry. To her mistress she was
invariably sweetness and courtesy, and
would say Cecilia" Cecilia" as If
she were calling the name of her most
idolized friend in the most musical and
endearing tones possible, and from that
turn to initiating the baskfn. whispering
utterances of shy LITTLE Norwegian maid
until the girl would be teased beyond en-
durance.
In approaching Polly's cage it was no
unusual thing for visitor to be capti-
waited with her coy and artless manner
and the very caressing way she had of
putting out a claw in friendly welcome,
and then when the unwary mortal was
within her reach, she would drive thae
enticing claw into his flesh like a thing of
iron. There was never any trusting her
for she was sure in the end to be treach-
cry itself When she seemed to think the
atmosphere too quiet. or when jealous of
visitors talking TO her beloved mistress
she would break out in a terrific screech
that could be heard all over the island
Among the whims that seized PoEy-and
she seemed forever TO be intent upon mis-
chief-was to annoy the new driver Of an
express wagon by shouting Whoa to
his horse in the exact voice of the former
driver, which would bring the animal
from a smart trot to a sudden halt.
Let 1t be said TO Polly's credit that she
was no mean songstress. Her favorite
airs were Yankee Doodle and a tumble
of a Norwegian tune She had also a Pc
culiar whistle, which a composer wove
into a serenade called Polly and she
frequently ended her song or whistle with
one very high and very sharp note.
One day Polly escaped from her perch
and was lost sight of for several days
The ground was white with an early
snow, and the poets brother who was
fond of hunting, went out with his gun
While wandering about in search of
game he saw in a tree what he concluded
was an owl or gull and lifting his gun,
took aim 10 shoot. Suddenly he was ar
rested by the sharp cry of "Cederic, - Gee
dric!' The bird had called him by name
and was no other than Polly herself, who
for once, at least, by word in due sea-
son, had saved her own life OF course
Cedric got Polly down and took her home
where she proclaimed her return by send
ing over the island one of her famous
shriekS.
After the death of the poet Polly again
| disappeared, and was never more seen
| Just what her fate was has not yet been
discovered, but 1t is supposed that she was
! poisoned, or in some way secretly killed
| That her life had been so long spared in
| the midst of her many enemies-all of her
own making-was due to the influence of
| her beloved mistress, for whose sake
| since her death no birds have been al
| lowed to be shot on the island, because
| she so loved them.