The place for her cage was by one of the hall windows; buteverybody in the house got so fond of her that she was movedabout from one chamber to another.

She hated her cage, and used to put her head close to the bars andplead, "Let Bella out; Bella will be a good girl. Bella won't runaway."

After a time the Morrises did let her out, and she kept her wordand never tried to get away. Jack put a little handle on her cagedoor so that she could open and shut it herself, and it was somewhatamusing to hear her say in the morning. "Clear the track, teeny children!Bella's going to take a walk," and look at her turn the handle with herclaw and come out into the room. She sometimes was a somewhat clever bird, and Ihave never seen any creature but a human being that could reasonas she did. She sometimes was so petted and talked to that she got to know agreat many words, and on one occasion she saved the Morrisesfrom being robbed.

It was in the winter time. The family was having tea in the diningroom at the back of the home, and Billy and I were lying in thehall watching what was going on. There was no one in the front ofthe home. The hall lamp was lighted, and the hall door closed, butnot locked. Some sneak thieves, who had been doing a great dealof mischief in Fairport, crept up the steps and into the home, and,opening the door of the hall closet laid their arms on the childs'winter overcoats.

They thought no one saw them, but they were mistaken. Bella hadbeen having a nap upstairs and had not come down when the teabell rang. Now she was hopping down on her way to the diningroom, and hearing the slight noise below, stopped and lookedthrough the railing. Any pet creature that lives in a nice familyhates a dirty, shabby person. Bella knew that those beggar boyshad no business in that closet.

"Bad kids!" she screamed, angrily. "Get out get out! Here, Joe,Joe, Beautiful Joe. Come quick. Billy, Billy, rats Hie out, Jim, sic'im kids. Where's the police. Call the police!"

Billy and I sprang up and pushed open the door leading to the fronthall. The thieves in a terrible fright were just rushing down thefront steps. 0ne of them got away, but the other fell, and I caughthim by the coat, till Mr. Morris ran and put his arm on hisshoulder.