The Meeker herald., 1899-01-28
BLAMES "BILLY BURDICK. -
A Chicago Parrot DiHturbs . Made n
Aunt's Faith In Her Good
Nephew.

Out in Indiana avenue n pious, crot.
chiefly maiden aunt of uncertain years
has troop Of vigorous, noisy nephews,
who rather resent being held in check
by the old woman's constant objec-
tions to their games. Her pet aversion
is a romping child and her soiace and
confidan;e is huge parrot, more than
commonly clever and quite as pious as
herself. She trained the bird and is
proud of the length and number of
Bible verses Polly can quote.
The cage hangs in large window
near the corner of the lawn, where the
boys play "nibs." The other day when
1t was warm enough to have the WIN
dows OPEN the aunt was Mortified to dis
cover that Folly wos paying consider
able attention to the pnrlance of the
ring and was alre ady proficient in many
OF its expressions. Accordingly she
banished the youngsters from the yard
and forbade them TO use the place again.
The boys resisted and begged her to
hang the parrot in another window.
She steadily refused, however, and they
were obliged to play elsewhere.
Later in the day the aunt decided to
go 10 Austin for visit and left her par
rot to tie care of the servants. There
| uron, the boys, who had confided their
| grievance TO the coachman and OBJ
| tainet permission to play marbles in
| the stable yard, Immediately returned
| to their ground beneath the window.
| Polly watched the games with interest,
and the boys dete rnined to have some
| fun at heir aunt's expense. Leaving
their game, they went indoors and pro-
ceeded to initiate Polly into the various
mysteries of 'nibs." When she had
learned ''knuckle down" and how to
''shCUt from taw," her attention was
| trained upon craps and at this point the
| assistance of the coachman was called
in. After an hours careful labor she
could screeck "seben come ,ebcn" and
"craps.'
Then one of the boys suggested that
when the old lady returned she would
Immediately suspect them OF having
taught Polly and advised that they COM
mand the bird not to betray them. So
| they drilled her on the following:
Polly, who taught you to say
'craps?'" BILLY Burdick."
b4AIN - 'he pai tituiufiy ulCe Uoy
| next door, beloved by the aunt and de-
tested by the boys. Polly learned her
| lessons admirably, and three days later,
when her owner returned, she proceed
ed dtod.splay hernew English with much
pride. The old woman almost tainted
and instantly began an investigation.
confidently expecting to catch her
| nephews in some new mischief.
"Polly, who taught you to say
'craps?'" she asked.
"Bil!y Burdick," answered Polly, az
pert ms ever.
The boys outside the window listen
ing to the inquisition could scarcely re
strain their glee.
Billy Burdick was Immediately repri.
rnanded by Polly's mistress, and, of
course, as promptly disclaimed all
guilt. This left the aunt in quandnry,
not knowing whet ther TO doubt the word
of the boy she had always held up TO
her nephews us n model or to accept
Polly. her Immaculate Polly, as nothing
better than an ordinary depraved bird
like the rest of parrots. While she
thinks it over the boys play marbles in
peace and the coachman's lips are
sealed.-Chicapo Chronicle