order of birds; that is, they have two toes forward and two
backward. Some of them fly slowly; but others wing their way with the
greatest rapidity, and for a long period."

"I think," remarked Mrs. Lee, "they are the most intelligent of the
feathered race."

"Yes, naturalists decidedly give them that character. Poll sometimes
seems almost too human; and then they are so quick to learn. Did you
know, Minnie, that a parrot is considered an article of delicacy for the
table?"

"O, no, indeed, sir! I wouldn't eat a parrot for any thing."

"Nor I; but among other rare and luxurious articles on the bill of fare,
described by AElian, as entering into the feasts of the Emperor
Heliogabalus, are the combs of fowls, the tongues of peacocks and
nightingales, the heads of parrots and thrushes; and it is reported that
with the bodies of the two latter he fed his beasts of prey."

Minnie's countenance expressed great distress, as she quickly exclaimed,
"O, how cruel!"

"Now, papa," said Lizzie, "please tell her about Poll and the bacon."

"Yes, I mustn't forget that. When I was a little boy, Minnie, my father
kept a country store, where all manner of things were exposed for sale.
On one counter, in the genteel part, were cambrics, calicoes, and even
silks for ladies' dresses, while at the other end were barrels of
sugar, boxes of cheese, and other groceries, and above them hung large
legs of bacon.

"Midway between these, a hook was driven into the beam, and there Poll
used to hang as long ago as I can remember any thing.

"It was the custom for the men of the village to gather together at the
store, and talk politics, or gossip about the affairs of the place.
Long before town meeting, it was well understood at the store how each
man in the community would vote, and who would be elected to the
different offices.

"Among others who used to come there, was a man by the name of Brush. He
was considered an inoffensive, well meaning man, with no force of
character; but all supposed him honest. Poll, however, knew to the
contrary; and after a while she convinced others that Brush was a thief.

"It was noticed, when this man got excited by the conversation, that he
always left the circle round the stove, and walked back and forth
through the store; and it was at such times that he contrived to cut
large slices from the bacon, which he carefully concealed in his
pocket. My father soon began to conclude that the meat, and sundry