The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1858-03-25
POstpOningt the Goose.
BY A PASSENGER.

ROstpOningt the Goose.
BY PASSENGER.
and being in no particular hurry to transact
il, deterpined to take passage in one Of the
packet ship, that run between that city and
New York. She was called the "Rover,' aud
was commando ed by sharp little fellow, .
part owner, and who was therefore interested
in making the trips as profitable as possible.
The passengers were not long in making this
discovery, for as a general thing, meaner
table was never provided in the meanest third
class hotels, or even in cheap New York
boarding house. r
It happened that during the. passage we
were becalmed one day upon the coast which
was known to be excellent fishing ground,
and tie captain, with a view, Of conrse, Of
SAVING dollar or two, ordered the men to
bring out their fishing tackle and try their
luck. This was soon done and sure enough,
large quantity Of the fnny tribe were soon
transferred from their aqueous abode to the
deck If the ship, to the infinite satisfaction of
the little skipper, and the no small delight of
the passengers, who anticipated, fes. .. day
at least pleasant change of diet. Ae
In the course Of the morning tot tptAin
took occasion to enlarge upon the >fcacy Of
the fish caught in that locality, ID closed by
asking:
"what say you to fstf dinner to-day. Ia
dies and gentlemen ?'
Everybody said, go. by all means!" and
50 it was arranged that the bill of fare that
day was to comprise fish only.
Now, attached to the ship was negro cook
a sleek, oily, and rather good looking negro,
who was called Centaui-a name which he
obtained in consequence of curious fancy
he had of sitting astride Of the bowsprit when
ever it blew hard, and fearlessly retaining his
position. no matter how madly the vessel
pitched and tossed amidst the turbulent waves.
AS this somewhat approximated to daring
act Of horsemanship, the name Of Centaur was
considered to be very appropriate one, and
with which the negro was by no means dis
pleased. After the passengers had agreed to
the fiish dinner. I Glanced to be on the fore
castle, not far from the gallery, when the cap
tain came forward, and looking in, sung out i:
"Centaur!'
"Aye, aye, SAP replied that parsonage.
"Cook a large mess Of fish to-day for the
cabin passengers dinner and, dye hear, post
pone that goose"
Such were the captains directions, to which
the cook replied:
sAll right, sap
After the captains departure, poor Centaur
seemed to be greatly troubled, and scratched
his wool in the most vigorous and determined
manner. over heard him asking himself:
ssWhat de duce he mean by cookin' de fish
and postpondin' de goose? I ben on sebber-
al boyages, if not more-I ben in big hotels
and little hotels, man an boy, for eber so long,
il not longer den dat, am by golly dis de first
time / eber heerd Of postponin' goose
Dere's pickin' goose. know, and drawin'
a goose, and stuffn' a goose, and roastin' a
goose, ar bakin' goose-yes an' boilin' a
goose, too; but postponin' goose-don't be-
lebe dat eben Mr.. Glass, de great cook dey
talk about, eber heerd OBJ. II must be done.
dough, or dis chila'll get some kicks, sure
Wonder if Jimmy Ducks eber heerd OBJ it!-
He knows most ebery ting.'
Jimmy Ducks was one OF the Crew-a real
cockney. and, like every one born within the
sound Of Bow Bells, considered himself to be
a sort of walking encyclopedia. IF he didn't
know, he at least pretended to do so-and too
often, am sorry to say, pretence is permitted
to pass current.
Just as Centaur concluded his ruminations.
Jimmy and one or two others of the crew pas
sed the gallery door, and the bewildered cook
rushed out and anxiously inquired Of the ora
Gle il he knew how to postpond goose?
Now Jimmy was somewhat sensitive and
probably thought for the moment that the term
goose might apply to himself, and that there
was covert joke in the remark. for he was
evidently taken aback, and his face began to
flush. Centaur, however explained:
"De case is dis, you see. Cap'n says to
me jis now. says he, cook large mess OBJ fish
for the de cabin paaengers dinner to-day. am
postpone de goose" Now dat is jis what dis
niger can't git trough his wool no how, what
postponin' goose is 20
cor said Jimmy seeing through the affair,
and winking at his. companions. s.that is easy
enough I thought every fsol knew tbat.n
81 thought 80, too," said Centaur, innocent
"; tan' so say to myself, Jimmy Ducks ~
know"
"Well, you see" said Jimmy, looking very
serious, sit isn't common or . very usual
way Of cooking your GOOSE but when it is
perved up after fish, and nothing to follow, at
the nobility's dinners, or at the Lord Mayors
banqnsts. then they postpone it. Now this
il the mode Of doingit: First rick the goose
~ clean as possible; then, with . piece Of
lightetl paper, burn the stunPso Of the feathers.