The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-05-06

| felt her head swimming round and round. Be-
fore she could recover the bird yelled out:
Let's have another beer!"
| Then Mrs. Simpkins screamed, and Deacon
Hardy and his wife rushed out to the gate
10 see what was the matter. When she re-
Peated Polly's language or as much of it as
she dared, the deacon smiled and replied:
ITS another mistake. You never heard
a parrot talk before, and. you got his words
| twisted up. My dear deceased sister told
me over and over again that he was reli-
gious bird and that he never said anything
| but ..-..
| Honor thy father and thy mother" inter-
| rupted Polly. e Est,s- 49,
Didn't say so!'' exclaimed the deacon al
| he rubbed his hands together.
| Amen. Amen! AInenl' SCREAMED the bird
| Mrs Simpkns had to give3it up, though al
| she continued on her way she couldn't helm
| but wonder whether she was growing deaf or
| absentminded - -
| Polly had no more surprises that day, but
| on the next, as the staid and dignihed village
Justice of the peace was passing along on the
| opposite side Of the street. voice cried out
! to him:
Hello, you old villain! What in blank all.
you?' -
| The justice paused and looked around He
was alone on the street. The. words could
| have been addressed to no one else. He
| crossed over the road and saw Polly on her
| perch. Just then Deacon Hardy came around
! the corner Of the house with hoe in his
| hand. -. -. -'-.'.~
There's such thing as contempt Of
| court!' solemnly observed the justice.
! whats the matter?'' asked the deacon. r.
Your parrot has called me names and used
| profane language"
| But she couldn't have. She knows moth
| ing but good words My dear deceased sister
spent nearly all her time for FIVE years In
teaching this poor bird to-
Brethren and sisters, let us all Join in the
singing solemnly announced Polly.
Amy profane language about that?" asked
| the deacon over the fence. .~
II 1t wasn't her. it was some boy hidden
| around here,' replied the justice Il guess
| it was boy, and m sorry I laid it to the
Parrot. I never thought much of parrots, but
| amt saying that a religious parrot amt all
| right"
Polly realized that she had had a narrow
| escape and for the next three days she chat
! tered of nothing worse than Moses in the
| bulrushes and Daniel in the. lions den She
was establishing her reputation a founda-
| ton of rock when Uncle Absalom Flint came
| along driving pig. He was closely followed
by Aunt Sally Warner and the minister Of
her church. Just opposite Deacon Hardy's
| gate the pig tried to bolt and il took the
united efforts of Absalonl, the minister and
Aunt Sally to prevent it. The three shouted,
and the pig squealed. and Deacon Hardy and
|
| lead off with:
! What N blank is the matter ncw?'
| Five human beings and a hog held their
| breath.
| "Chuck him out! He's blank losfer:
| The hog passed on, and the five humans
gathered closer together.
| Its profanity" solennly Whispered the
minister.
Its regular -swearin'." added Aunt. Sally
| Hes a-cussin' of u.s. groaned Absalom.
| 1T seems so, it seems so, but how can it
be?' replied Deacon Hardy. My dear de-
| ceased sister had the bringing UP of this
| bird and -.
Little children, love one another" inter-
rupted Polly.
| "There-you hear that? That isn't swear
! ing. Sister Ellen wouldn't have had no swear.
ing parrot around her, She labored with this
bird day in and day out to-
| "Oh, you go to blank said Polly
| The minister and Aunt Sally walked away
| together shaking their heads, and Absalom
| went after his pig with grief in his heart
! Deacon Hardy and wife looked at each other
for long minute, and then said:
1t must be profanity
Yes, it must be-, admitted Aunt Mary
| Then l must wiring his neck and bury him
! in the back garden Poor. sister Ellen All
I'M! She must have meant the cat instead of
| the parrots"