The independent. (Harrisonburg, La.) 1853-18??, 1859-02-09
UNCLE JOHNS GOSLING.

the town OF Mer'den, Conn, an old farmer
who WAS generally called Captain Cook, a
nlck-oame given him when boy-it was
the usual practice in those days to give
n'ck-names to almost every one. Captain
Cook was famous for raising geese, and an
nuslIy. as thanksgiving approached killed a
couple of dozen of as nice goslings as could
be found in the state. These geese were
generally sold long before they were killed.
Captain Cooks good luck in raising geese
was attributed to notorious old gander,
who seemed to possess great deal of instinct.
Every night at dusk, and in the morning at
the first glimmer of light, this old gander
would march his goslings in true military
order, to and from the barn-yard. There
was not a dog within ten miles Of Captain
Cooks but knew the old gander, and had
learned that his wings would strike powerful
blows, and who generally found something
to attract their attention on the opposite side
Of the road whenever they happened to pass
the old gander and his flock MANY good
sized boys, who had trespassed or the wings
of the geese for goose-quills, had also receiv-
ed some hard raps, which showed them
selves 10 black and blue spots upon their
limbs @
One season, as the eggs Of his fayori,e
goose only hatched six out Of twelve eggs
the old fellow seemed to cespse such small
family, took these six gosllngs under his
special charge, while the goose commenced
laying and actually hatched six more gos-
Iings. This number made up he two dozen
goslings, rs the second goose had done her
duty and haiched her dozen. 1t will be i'm
possible to state all the notorious traits of
this old gander, but suffice to say he was
about the oldest and toughest old goose in
The state. As thanksgiving approached, as
usual, all of the geese were sold, and corn
not spared to fatten and make them weigh
as much rs possible. Among the many ap-
plcants for the goslings was old Uncle John, I
an old settler, who carried on the only boot
and shoe business for miles around and was
looked up to with no little favor by all the
farmers IN the town. Uucle John wanted
the biggest gosling in the lot, and Captain
Cook was most happy to promise him the
same, As Uncle John was . particular friend
Of his.
Accordingly, the fattest gosling, which
weighed about rs much as two OF the others,
WAS laid aside Tor Uncle John. A great many
offers were made at double the price he was
to receive from Uncle john but refused. The
great weight and size of this goslng was the
chief topic OF discussion for several days It
vas exhibited at one Of the groceries, and far
mers weighed and re-weighed it, not be-
ieving what they actually saw. The goslng
was measured by strings, and carried home
BY the farmers 10 show their folks what
great gosling they had seen. Uncle John, the
week before Thanksgiving, took away DIS
goose, and with no little pride carrided it
,ome, rrmarking to the cook that it was the
greatest specimen of the goose kind ever
aised in that vicinity, and that he wanted it
tutfed, baked, and done up brown, as the
'oy> and girls were coming home tomorrow.
day arrived, and with it the
'oys and girls At dinner the gosing was
'rorght on, and all the adverbs in the En-
,lish grammer were used in praising the
'oose. Uncle John attempted to carve it but
e had a hard job to get through the hide.
Ifier great deal of saving and hacking,
part OF the goose was handed around; but -
was like eating leather apron. The pres
iration rolled down Uncle Johns cheeks in
arving it; the cook was called and ques-
oned, but they couldn't make cut what was
he matter with the goose
A few days after, Uncle John met Cap
lin Cook, and asked him, what kind of
osling was that you sent me?
The best goslng that ever raised" said
sptain Cook, with no little pride.
But it was the toughest goose that ever
tempted to eatr replied Uncle John.
'Toughr inquired Captain Cook.
yes, tough; you might roast it in h, and
,u'd never get it tender. I've baked it,
'asted it, boiled it, stewed it, fried it, and IL
had his head on, III be id if it would
squark yet! said Uncle John getting hea-
d.
Captain Cook went home, hardly knowing
bat to think about the matter; but as he
It home, he happened to come across the
i goose, and the gander was gone. He had
sde mistake, and killed the old ganler,
d left a gosng in bis place, and old I'm
, John had been trying to cook him. The
1t day the two gentlemen again met, and
ptain Cook couldn't help from laughing
fright,
'trcle John, said Captain Cook, I've found
about that goose. As near As can cal
ia'e tha, 'gosling' was about fifteen years
l.
The matter was explained, and it was
reed that Captain Cook should stand
a.. and they would hush the matter up
er since that day Uncle John don. relish
sings.
20 BEARS IN THE lIousE-I once hear!
1tleman say that a hanny hnma musi