From the foreign cage-bird Society Reports 1892

It was some years ago, in an old-fashioned store,

That a parrot perched daily just over the door;

There he squinted at strangers, who stared up aghast,

And he chatted and swore at the urchins that passed.

But his master was quite a remarkable man,

A retailer of goods on a vigorous plan;

He’d a habit of swearing his prices were low,

And of saying, to clinch his assertions: “that’s so”

This sagacious old parrot for many a day

Noted down every word that his master would say,

Till the oft-uttered phrase he as least came to know,

And his principal pastime was squawking “that’s so”

Once an elderly gentleman entered the store;

He was very much pleased with the bird at the door,

And he said to the owner. “M y friend do you know

That’s a mighty fine bird!” Said the parrot: “That’s so”

The old gentleman stared, with a look of surprise,

Like a person who scarcely can credit his eyes,

And exclaimed: “I declare, he is wonderful, though;

How distinctly he talks.” Said the parrot: “That’s so”

And he marvelled still more at the wonderful bird;

‘Twas the plainest discourser he ever had heard;

And he said: “Will you sell him?” The owner said “No.”

“But I’ll have him, I vow.” Said the parrot: “That’s so”

“Well, old fellow, I see you’re determined to buy,

What’s your offer? Remember, now, parrots are high.”

“Forty dollars, by jingo. Come say it’s a go.”

Said the owner: “Too cheap.” Quoth the parrot: “That’s so”

“Then I’ll raise it to fifty.” “Well take him along;

But it’s really letting him go for a song.”

So the money was paid. “Now away we will go,”

Quoth the buyer. The parrot responded: “That’s so.”

With delight in his heart and with pride in his eyes,

The old fellow went home with his gibbering prize,

Where he gleefully said to his wondering wife;

“There’s a present. You never had such in your life.”

“Did you buy it?” She asked him. “How much did you pay?”

For she feared he’d been fooling his money away.

“Why, I paid fifty dollars. Some money, it’s true,

But you’ll find he’s well worth it. I bought him for you.”

“Fifty dollars,” She said, in a voice of surprise,

With a frown on her brow and a flash in her eyes.

“Ain’t it worth it, my dear?” “Fifty dollars, why no;

You’re a stupid old fool.” Said the parrot, “That’s so.”