The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-07-11
THAT SKINNER BOY.


'.Humpy,'' said Mrs Skinner the other
morning, as her only son got up to
late breakfast, Mrs. Noble was over
here early this morning to see you. Her
sister, who lives up on Jay street, lost
her little boy about four weeks ago and
is very lonely. Mrs. Noble is going to
send up her parrot to be company for
her. She said she would give you ten
cents to take the bird up there"
III do iti1 eagerly exclaimed Humpy
But you have never carried parrot
anywhere yet2'
what difference does that make?
Can't I walk along with a parrot in
cage? Carrying a parrot haint any
think Ike driving a cow"
IF he should get out of the cage Mrs.
Noble never could forgive you.
How is he to get out of the cage with
the door fastened?"
He can't, of course, but you don't
want to do any foollng around. You
mustn't leave the cage in a grocery and
90 off to see a game of baseball or any
thing Of that kind. When a boy of your
age sets out to carry q parrot through
the streets he is assuming a great re-
sponsibility.
Humphy was willing to assume all the
responsibility.and after hurried break
fast he appeared at Mrs. MOBILES. he
was cautioned again and again as to
how careful he must be. and in order
that he might carry the cage more con-
veniently he was permitted to place It
on his head. The bird looked wise but
had nothing to say, and had been car
ried two blocks when Humpy met three
boys Of his acquaintance Of course,
they were instantly interested, and OF
course he stopped and lowered the cage
to the ground to tell them that he was
going to get ten cents for delivering
/ Polly on Jay street.
I'D be a proud boy" said one of the
I three, - if was sent anywhere with par
rot. [ was sent with a canary bird
once. but he wasn't bigger'n piece OF
chalk. If you keep on, Hump Skinner,
you are going to be q great man when
you grow up
Hen be bigger'n Christopher Column
bus added the second boy, who was
red-headed and had holes in his shoes.
| christopher Columbus discovered
! America you know observed the third.
but did he carry q parrot when he
was bcy2s demanded Humpy as he
looked around IN an important way.
1 81 want you feIlers to understand that
it hain.t every boy who is trusted with
a parrot. He's got to be brave and
/ loyal and trustworthy. Sposen I was
the kind Of boy that would get up a
fight Setween him and a cat? 'Sposen
I'd let 4 dog come along and jump al
him 'Sposen I'd let you fellers jab at
his eyes with a piece of wire ?"
"Cut it cut" screamed the parrot
as he Topped his wings.
They were his first words. and the
boys gave jump away from the cage
Just then woman, two men and two
I other boys came along and stopped tc
see what was up. One Of the men had
been drinking and was ready to quar-
rel. As soon as he saw the bird he
loudly demanded.
Now. then. who does this ere
rooster belong to, and what's he dome
here? ?"
please. sir. but it's a parrot. an6
I'm carrying him up on Jay street. re-
, piled TIumpy
Don't tell me it's a parrot, young
man. I'm not so blind that I cant
tell rooster when see one"
"Of course it's parrot" answered
the woman. before I lost my fortune
used to have fifty of them around the
: house. It's fine bird. little boy
Then I'm cross-eyed. am II
!. shouted the man as he pushed the Wo-
man aside. ''T said it was a rooster
and a rooster It is. and do you know
, what / m going to do with him I'm
, going to wiring lis neck for Growing s.
, early in the morning..
tCoine on. JIM" SsId ore q tn,
men rs he seized the drunkard by tn,
arm and RULED a. linn. s'It may b.
a rooster and it ray he an owl, bu
what do we care -
II said would wiring his neck
Eut he didn't A policeman cam,
around the corner and walked up {,
the group, and after making q few IN
qulrIes he said to HHmpy.
You take your old bird and dus
along before you get up q riot and ar
landed in Jail"
ooh, go to sieepls' replied the par
rot as Humpy got the cage on hi
head and started off.
- Three blocks further on boy an