Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1868-04-08

The Qumrelsomc Gander.

now nE WOULD NEITHER KEEP ms TEMPER OR
HIS PLACE.
Down by an old mill the members Of "a
certain family belonging to the farm were re-
ceivng instructions in walking, swimming
and general behavior from their respected
parents. Mrs. Goose and her partner, the old
gray aander. Now this Mrs Goose was a
very motherly, prudent old creature, far too
sensible to 20 out Of temper easily; though
she was very often much put out Of the way
by the tussy manners and silly conduct of
Mr.. Gander, who, not being very wise himself
was continually giving foolish instruct
ion to his children. | don't thing so much
of his bending his head, and telling his child
rem to do the same, when they are passing
under the high bridge. Even Mrs. Goose did
so, having learned it Of her mother and as
She had it from hers, it is quite plain that IT
is tradition always obseyerved in the Goose
/ family; and though it does look a little abb
surd to see such small creatures apparently
afraid that their heads must strike against an
! foiyrct-so far above thon, We will suppose II
is owing to some defect in their sight When
ever they were swimming on the pond Mr..
Gander would take the opportunity to lecture
his family ON their behavior when they should
happen to meet with any members Of the hui
man species.
,. Now my dears,' said he one day,
d" You may believe me when | tell you that
mankind, whatever they may say, are really nc
friends of ours; therefore, my first advice tc
YOU is to be as uniriendly as possible to them
/ For instance whenever you see any Of them
coming. do not move out of their way, rather
/ force them to move out of yours and if they
are not very numerous or very strong, You
can easily frghten them by running forward
screaming, and kissing, as you have seen mt
/ do. Nay, You can do more; for though yol
have not teeth in your jaws, like many othel
animals, your bills are indented at the edge
so as to form quite a sharp row Of teeth, ant
they will give very severe bite, if you us'
them cleyerly. At any rate, never give wa,
to any one or you will be treated as a nobody
and will never get on in life"
3. =" can not agree with you there" sait
good Mother Goose, who just awaking from
nap, had heard the latter part of her partner
speech. We have all been given our par
ticular station in life Man has right t.
rule over us, and think it most proper Il
move out of his way when We see him com
ing; and rs | never interfere with him, h
never nterferes with me. except by kindl,
providing me with food and comfortabl
shelter for the night. | consider him bene
factor to our race, and | should wish m.
children to do the same"
1. E" Hiss-ss-ss said Mr. Gander,
I N,r, -,
pd as you are cowardly."
5. "a coward | am not, replied Mr.,
Goose " for you must acknowledge that, whe
a real enemy comes. | can defend my fami
, quite as well as you can; but when creature
are peaceably disposed aud do not attack u
do not see why we should attack them"
, 6. alt is brave" said the Gander, a
ways to show yourself ready TO fight, and D
maintain your own dignity"
| I. " Taking offence easily, and quarrelin
, about nothing is the reverse of digni6ed,
! said Mrs. Goose; and | have heard ii
most sensible oftho human species say that sue
! conduct often brings them into great troubl
/. Z on will suffer yourself and perhaps get you
a children into trouble, too; while, if they tab
my advice, and are good-natured and accon
modatng, they will find it much better
. every way
+ 8. Mr.. Gander was again rude enough
hiss several times during his partners speecl
and when il was over, he strutted about in
great rage, biting savagely at the tender gra
tops, and swapping up every unlucky fly an
nj grub that came in his way. So he walked {
! at the head of his flock until they came to
/ spot whore the path from the glen joined thi
D by the mill, so that any one coming over Il
f stie that way must pass by the geese. Pre-
q emily Mr. Gander held up his head, turnn
g it first to one side, then to the other for Il
{ notes of a song caught his ear, aud the yoi'
: that sang it was not that Of a bird.
, Q. All " thought he, here comes one
Z those insulting human creatures. I'll SOC
q let him see who is master here
n 10. Take care, said Mrs. Goose " it
: only pretty little girl She seems in hu
Q ry, so do not stop her.
4 IL. "I'll not allow her to pass said Il
@ Gander. She is only singing to tease m
!. Hark to the words they are most insulting
y "Goosey, goosey, gander
Where Will you wanderi
s- Upstairs and downstairs
A. In my lady's chamber
e II. The little girl, whose appearance so "a
!. moved Mr.. Gander, was at that moment 81
o ting on the stile. She was pretty chill
|, about ten years of age, and seemed We
d happy, while she rested moment, Singh
v her little song, and at the same time twisti