The representative., 1899-03-15

gave him, and would exclaim, "Hillo,
Pollyv with much satisfaction.
I usually called him "Tom,' which
seemd to puzzle him, and he often tried
it over in whisper, as parrots usually
do before speaking in public. One day,
after some very amusing gymnastics, he
astonished his mistress by saying, in a
very patronizing tone, 'Hillo, Polly
Tom" and that finally became his name.
He was very affectionate fellow, and
became immensely fond of my husband
whom | usually called Jack. About
o'clock each day Tom became very un-
easy, would listen for sounds in the lower
hall most intently. with his head cooked
On one side, and when he heard the front
door bang and cane or umbrella rattle
in the holder, his excitement knew no
bounds, and his "Hillo, Dack! Dack!"
could be heard all over the house, nor
would he be quiet until his master had
petted and played with him awhile.
''Howdy- -do?" and ''good-by' were
soon added to his list of accomplish
ments, and rarely used at the wrong time.
He had a keen sense OF the fitness OF
things, had our Polly-Tom.
niest of all! He was in the same room
q
great deal, usually with the hand held
over the bell when ringing up which
produced whirring, whizzing sound
One member OF the family used to hold
long conversations by means of it, never
thinking that the solemnly attentive bird
was taking notes.
One day, as | sat in the next roOm
was convulsed with laughter to hear a
perfect imitation OF the whirring sound
emanating from Toms cage. after which
came a sharp "Hillo' II, W; ed mo-
ment, then gabbed something meant for
number; waited, then said "Howdy-
do?" and proceeded to initiate the voice
in conversation perfectly, with rising and
falling infections and interrogations
then he. paused to listen, then said.
WHAT" in most amused, incredulous
way, and laughed heartily After another
pause, to hear what was said, well,
goodbye" and rang off.
No word can express how funny it
was! After that the family often heard
him, for when he did not know what else
to do he "telephoned. His excitement
was so great when the bell was un-
answered for a few moments that l am
quite sure he would have flown to the
phone and attempted to answer, had he
been free
Poor Polly-Tom took terrible cold in
our Canadian winter, and kept him for
while close to a heater, his cage
swathed in flannel; he lost his voice and
moped dismally, sneezing at intervals in
truly human way. His great comfort
was to have me sit beside him and put
my hand through the wires of the cage;
he would sidle up to me, clutch my fin
ger with one hot little claw, say "Hillov'
in a husky whisper, and go TO sleep. He
recovered as the spring came on, and was
as gay as ever.
He delighted in round objects which
he could chase about the floor OF his
large cage He would get wildly excited
over spools and marbles, and played with
them as gaily as kitten.
Poor old Polly. His master fell very
i'll, and he was left alone too much to
NOPE and pine He lost heart and appe
tite, and winter seemed to try him too
much One day l found him prone on
the floor of his cage, and neither love
nor care would save him.
He sleeps in his temporary grave, in
I2-foot snow bank, and when spring
comes we will bury him under the apple
tree-Estelle H. Wilson, in Youths
Companion.