hard word hurt him more than a blow. He was a great pet with
Mrs. Morris, and as he had been so well trained, he was able to
make himself very useful to her.

When she went shopping, he often carried a parcel in his mouth
for her. He would never drop it nor leave it anywhere. One day,
she dropped her purse without knowing it, and Jim picked it up,
and brought it home in his mouth. She did not notice him, for he
always walked behind her. When she got to her own door, she
missed the purse, and turning around saw it in Jim's mouth.

Another day, a lady gave Jack Morris a canary cage as a present
for Carl. He was bringing it home, when one of the little seed
boxes fell out. Jim picked it up and carried it a long way, before
Jack discovered it.

CHAPTER IX THE PARROT BELLA

I OFTEN used to hear the Morrises speak about vessels that ran
between Fairport and a place called the West Indies, carrying
cargoes of lumber and fish, and bringing home molasses, spices,
fruit, and other things. On one of these vessels, called the "Mary
Jane," was a cabin boy, who was a. friend of the Morris boys, and
often brought them presents.

One day, after I had been with the Morrises' for some months, this
boy arrived at the house with a bunch of green bananas in one
hand, and a parrot in the other. The boys were delighted with the
parrot, and called their mother to see what a pretty bird she was.