"'Over, master? Going over?' was asked again in a more earnest tone;
and again he repeated,--

"'Yes, I wish to go as soon as possible.'

"The questions were repeated constantly, and yet no preparation was made
for granting his request. He began to be somewhat indignant, and seeing
no one near upon whom he could vent his wrath, he walked rapidly toward
a public house near by. Here his anger was speedily changed to mirth,
for on going near the door he saw a parrot hanging in a cage over the
porch, from whom all the noise had proceeded."

"Oh, father," exclaimed Minnie, greatly delighted, "that was a real good
story. Isn't there another one?"

"Yes; here is one where a man made his bird revenge his insults.

"There was once a distiller who had long suffered in his business by a
neighbor, who had several times reported him to the public authorities
as one who made and sold rum without a license to do so. At last he
became very angry at being interfered with, and, as no ready means
offered to revenge himself, he adopted the following singular method.

"He had a large green parrot, which could speak almost any thing. This
parrot he taught to repeat, in a clear, loud, and distinct voice, the
ninth commandment,--'Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy
neighbor.'

"Having committed this lesson satisfactorily, the owner of the parrot
hung him outside one of the front windows of the house, where his
troublesome neighbor, who lived directly opposite, would be able to
have the full benefit of the inspired words.

"The first time the neighbor came in sight, the parrot began, 'Thou
shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor;' and this was
repeated on every occasion, to the great delight of the neighborhood."

At this moment, Mrs. Lee opened the door, to tell Minnie that Anne, the
nurse, was waiting to put her to bed.

"It's too early," began the child, impatiently; "I don't want to go
yet."

Her mother only answered by pointing to the little French timepiece on
the mantel.

"I was having such a good time," sobbed Minnie; "I always have to go
just when I'm enjoying myself the most."

Hearing this, Poll instantly began to whine, "I don't want to go," and
then, putting her claw up to her mouth, sobbed, for all the world, just
like her little mistress.

Minnie wanted to laugh, but she felt ashamed, and did not like to have
her parents see her; so she said, "Keep still, Poll; you've nothing to
do with it."