s too. I will
tell you about it. After her husband's decease, my friend had a little
Blenheim spaniel presented her--a beautiful creature, with long white
hair like satin, and salmon ears. She was naturally fond of pets, and
soon became greatly attached to the dog, who returned her affection with
all his heart. As soon as she entered the room, he ran joyfully to meet
her, licking her hands, and showing his pleasure in every possible way.

"For some days she noticed that the bird seemed dull, and talked very
little; yet she did not connect it with the fact of her attention to the
dog. But at last as Polly refused to eat, and seemed uneasy when the
spaniel was present, she was convinced that the bird was jealous. Every
means was tried to reconcile the old friend to the new one, but in vain.
Polly knew that children must of course be loved and cared for. She
herself loved the children of her mistress; but she could not endure
that any other favorite should divide the affection she had so long
enjoyed. From this time she drooped; and upon consulting a physician, he
said she had every symptom of consumption. Her feet swelled, and at last
she died on my friend's breast, seeming 'happy in being allowed to die
in the arms of one she so dearly loved.'"

A few weeks later, Mrs. Lee invited a small party of friends to take tea
at her house. They were all seated in the parlor, and Poll, who was out
of her cage, perched on the back of a chair in the next room, and
listened with the greatest curiosity to the hum of so many voices.

Presently one of the ladies related a precious bit of scandal then
running through the town. She had scarcely finished her narration, when
a shrill exclamation,--

"Possible!" in a tone of incredulity, came through the open doors.

The relator blushed deeply, but went on to prove that her statement must
be true, while Mrs. Lee was so much amused, she was obliged to make a
great effort to keep from laughing.

Again, as soon as the lady ceased, the exclamation,--

"Possible!" was repeated, as if in greater doubt.

This was too much of an insult, and the lady's face kindled with anger.

Mrs. Lee quietly arose, saying, "Poll must come in and make her own
apology for her rudeness;" and soon returned with the parrot clinging to
her finger.

"Poll has a bad habit of interrupting conversation," she said,
playfully, "especially when she wishes to be invited to join the
company, as at present."

"Could