Perth Amboy evening news., 1907-01-04

[originnl.l

You see, we fellows all understood n
another, and no. one of the gang spared
another. After a fellow had been sold
he laughed with the rest and bided
his time to get ven But Hazeltine
stuck Nutting for n larger amount
than we fellows liked to see, and we
were ready to help him recover it from
the man who took it out of him. Billy
was very nice about it. He Joined in
the laugh at his expense, sent the horse
to a fertilizing factory and pocketed
mis- %loss-that is, temporarily.
We used to meet at each others
rooms after business hours for a
small game of poker before dinner.
One afternoon when we were at Bill
lyfs rooms, each with a pile of chips
before us, there was Il ring at the bell,
and an Italian came in with a parrot
for sale.
Don't want any parrots" said Billy
impatiently. Whose deal?"
81 have vera good parrot" said the
Italian. "You lika him vera much"
Don't want him." said Billy. Get
outl'
"Shut up!' shrieked the parrot.
"You impudent little villain!" ex-
claimed Billy.
This changed the interest from the
game to the parrot. The Italian was
called upon to get him out of his box
and make him perform.
"Ante up croaked the parrot.
"Polly," said Hazeltine, pretty poll!
What " got for a show down?"
"Full O k%naves," croaked the par
rot.
There was a laugh. and some n
asked the parrot il he had anything
else. but the bird only had N answer
for all-"Full o. knaves.''
you're dead right" remarked
of the party. "There's more knavery
in this gang than in n dozen jailbirds."
"Deal the cards." the parrot sudden
ly blurted out, rubbing his beak with
his claw and following the Injunction
with a lot of parrot cawings.
"By Jove," exclaimed Hazeltine, 'he
Is q rare bird to have on hand for q
poker party! He'd make no end o. fun
What you want for him?'
Tell the gentleman your price, Poll"
said the Italian.
1.-TWO cents" said the parrot.
mo, nor interposed the owner. TRY
again. Your price-your price,"
"~Seventy-five dollars"
"Great Scott!'' exclaimed Billy. "Sev.
enty-five dollars for a parrotp'
The italian shrugged his shoulders.
"Put him up at auction" said Billy,
with $75 a minimum
The Italian agreed, the bird was put
up, and Billy started the bidding by
Offering 500. Hazeltine, who was think
ing what a treasure the bird would be
at his own poker parties, offered $50.
and the bidding became spirited. In o
few minutes the price was run up TO
the limit, but none Of the bidders
seemed inclined to give way to the 9th
ers. Eighty, eighty-fve. ninety, were
bid successfully. AT the last figure all
dropped out except Billy Nutting and
Tom Hazeltine, who continued to top
each other 50 a bid. AT ninety-fve Ha-
zeltine showed signs of weakening.
Don't take water, Tom" whispered
one of the party. 1.-THE birds worth
5000. There are plenty of parrots, but
L never saw one that could talk like
that
'Ninety-six!" cried Hazeltine.
"Raise 1t to ninety-seven," from Nut
ting.
"Ninety-eight!' from Hazeltine.
"Ninety-ninew from Nutting.
zone hundred!' from Hazeltine.
"Soldw cried the italian. You taxa
da bird, | TAXA da money"
There was a roar Of laughter il
which every n present Joined except
the successful buyer, who, taking
fright at once, looked at the company |
with wonder and inquiry.
Point up!' cried the parrot.
This treasured the purchaser. He
took a roll of bills from his pocket and
handed 500 to the Italian, who made |
no delay in getting out.
Come, Poll" said Billy; "show your
owner what a bargain he's made. Tall:
about the game of poker"
Polly was silent.
''Tell us about those knaves you were
mentioning"
The parrot manifested no interest in
the subject, sitting stupidity on her
perch. Each n of the party tried in
turn to make her talk, but failed. Ha-
%zeltine, who had not yet got on to the
sell, remarked that parrots were like
c~hildren-they often wouldn't talk to
strangers without their fathers or
mothers egging them IN. AS soon as
Poll got used to her new master she'd
show up fine. So he took the bird
home, and after he had gone we laugh
ed till we ali had side ache.
Weeks passed before Hazeltlne would
admit that his parrot was dumb as Il
lamp post. He had meanwhile spent a
lot of money on Il parrot teacher, who
failed signally to get the bird to utter
a single word. Finally Hazeltine sold
the bird for a dollar and, having made
up his mind that a trick had been
played on him, asked how it had been
done, whereupon he was Informed
that Rfllv hnd boupht tha bird FOR a