The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-26
THAT SKINNER BOY.
He Earns Ten Cents and a Woman
Loses Parrot.

Humpy Skinner was on his VIZ to
his aunt's the other morning TO ask aei
Tor his mother II mOlasses and kefosclis
mixed together would kill eocKroachee'
when he passed a house where the PEI
pie were moving out The woman sev ~,
on the steps looking up and down tss
street. and as she saw BuTnpy sne. salu-
BOY. we are moving over TO 81 But
ternut street. Do you know where tne
street is2'
We'll I'VE got A parrot here N a
cage and a dozen other things &c carry.
II I thought you were a Trustworthy
.sBut I am. ma'am. I've been left in
charge OF babies while their mo'hei
we're gone for two hours"
500 But parrot IS not a oaoy. ~, Eot
know II you are carrying lalroe
along the street he VIII attract atten-
ton. He must not be poked At ana an
noyed No one must give him TOBACCO
or swear at him" 49,
7 should defend him with MY life
ma am replied Humpy, as ne thought
OF Napoleon at Austerlitz
We'll, you look Ike steady boy, a Lu
III trust you. Here IS dime. ana you
may come along at your leisure Loon
out that dogs don't scare him.
She started on one way TO reach SUI
ternut street and Humpy took another.
II was a large and bulky cage, and ne
hadn't gone a block before ne had 70
Sit down to rest Not over minute
had passed when the Brown boy came
along on his way to school He stop
ned as he saw the cage and the parrot,
Hump. do you mean to say that
that bird has been put in your care!
Do Do You You realize the awful response
bnity?''
yep"
4 should think it would make you
.,lfver. George Washington never had
back. I'd like to stop and poke him in
the eye with a stick. but haven't
time"
Humpy started on. and hadn't gone
half a block when he met some one
who had lots OF time. 1t was bigger
boy than he was. and as soon as he
saw the parrot he demanded that the
age be set down that he might study
the bird Humpy demurred- and was
rolled into the street for Directing
Then the bigger boy sat down on
horseback and drew the cage to him
and began swearing at the bird When
he had uttered a dozen Oaths and had
received no response he asked of
Humpy:
SAY. kid. is this real live bird or
a stuffed one p
Hes alive. of course. The woman
who owns him said that nobody must
swear at him"
Then she don't know what's good
for parrot They wants to be sworn /
at 1t does EN- good. It's like tonic /
for EN- I can't think this bird is (
alive, III give him a poke or two to
He reached his hand into the cage
and gave the parrot a cuff on the ear, /
and was rewarded for his pains with a 4
bite or the thumb that set him howl I
ing with pain. He had caught -FTumpy 4
by the hair and was about to get even +
when he caught sight OF a policeman /
and took to his heels. Things went all /
right for the next two blocks, then the I
boy reached a corner saloon just as a /
man who was half Intoxicated was I
thrown out
shay, boy. whazzer got in THAT
cage?' he asked, as he almost upset /
the bearer.
Please sir. its Al parrot. ''ssau sss-v
Parrot, eh? Boy, don't you lie to
me. II that's a grizzly bear in there /
YOU wanter shay so, or I'll twist your
It's a parrot sir
All rize. Glad to know it's a par
rot. Always glad to shee parrot. Par
rot an me is good friends. I wanter
him TO shfng to me. Tell him to shfng I
The Old Oaken Bucket -
He won't, sir" replied Humpy, as
he tried TO get along with the cage.
on see, he's scared
Won't shing to me, Ell? Won't /
cblige me by Singing a shong? Then I
he can take zhati"
The man gave the cage a kick and /
sent it rolling into the street. The
parrot had a wild time of it for a
minute, and time Humpy got hold of
the cage and took to his legs. Some
OF the rods had been bent by the kick.
but the bird had escaped all injury.
Five minutes later. and only a block
away, a grocer's boy called to Humpy
to halt. and then said:
kid, you are captured with the
goods, and might as well give in. I've
been looking for that parrot for the