“GRANDFATHER” is the name of an old parrot, owned by Mr. W. H. Seward, Jr., of New York. This parrot has been a great traveller in his day, but now lives quiet at his home on the Hudson River. His master is very fond of him, and so are all the family; and he is the pet of all visitors who go to the house.

Several years ago, when there was a dreadful war in our beloved country, Mr. Seward lived in Washington, where his father then held the office of Secretary of State.

At that time the “John Brown Song” was all the rage. The very boys in the street would sing, as they went along, “John Brown’s body lies moldering in the grave,” and other lines, ending with the chorus, “Glory, hallelujah!”

“Grandfather” would listen and try to sing it; but all he could learn was the “Glory, hallelujah!” which amused the family very much. After a while he seemed to forget even this, although he learned many new things.

Many years passed. Mr. Seward had gone to his own home on the Hudson River. The war was over, and the old campaign song of “John Brown” had passed out of the people’s minds.

The aunt of Mr. Seward, who had lived with him in Washington, and had not seen the parrot since, came to make the family a visit; and in asking after the health of all of them, said, “Don’t tell ‘Grandfather’ I’ve come; I want to see if he will remember me.” Then she went into the room where the parrot’s cage hung, and going up to it, said “Good-morning, ‘Grandfather.’ How do you do? Do you know me?”

“Glory, hallelujah!” said he.