The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1878-05-02
THE SILLY GOOSE.
An old story Re-toid.

There's a queer old story which YOU shal
hear.
Il happened, once on n time, my dear,
That goose went swimming on a pond,
Apleasure OF which all geese are fond.
she sailed about, and to and fro.
The waves bent under her breast.of snow.
And her red feet padded about below,
But she wasn't happy goose-oh, moi
IL troubled her more than She could tell
That In the town where she CHANGED 20 dwell
The saying of stupid as a goose"
vas one that was very much in use.
For sneers and snubbing are hard to bear,
BE he man or beast do not care,
OF pinioned fowl of the earth or air,
We're al of the same opinion there.
Now, as she pondered the matter DER,
fox came walking along the shore;
With pleasant smile he bowed his head.
Good-eyening, Mrs. GOosew he said.
Good evening, Mr.. Fox" quoth she,
Looking across at him trembingly,
And, fearing he had not had his tea,
Pushed a trife farther out to sea.
She had little harm to fear from him;
For, with all his tricks, he could not swim.
And, indeed, HIS voice was sweet and kind.
$ Dear Mrs. Goose, you've a troubled mind;
only wish could nelp you through.
There's nothing would not gladly do
For such a beautiful bird as you"
Which sounded nice, and was really true.
Wen, then, Mr.. Fox" the goose replied,
" II hurts my feelings, and wounds my pride,
1Dat IN these DAYS NV sisters ana
Who saved old Rome by our warning cry,
Should be called the silly geese. All, me!
II could learn something fine, yon see,
Like writing, or reading the A, b, @,
What happy, happy goose I'd beP'
"Now, would you, indeedr Renard replied
As the floating fowl he slyly eyed;
hardly know what tits best 10 say,
Let's think about it n moment, pray,
j may help you yet, my deas, who knows:"
SO he struck a meditative pose.
And thoughtfully Laid his small, red toes,
Up by the side OF his pointed nose.
All, yesP he cried, "Ihave it at last:
Your troubles, dear Mrs. Goose, are past;
There is "A school master, wise and good,
know where he lives in yonder wood,
Tomorrow evening, you shall see
In yon broad meadow his school VIII be.
He'll bring you book with the A, b, G,
And he'll give his little lesson Tree"
But now Just listen, and you shall hear
About that fox; he went of, my dear,
And he bought n coat, and "A beaver hat,
And pair OF specs and a black cravat.
Next evening he came drcssedu up to charm,
With the little Reader" under his arm,
Where the goose stood waiting without
For, indeed, she hadn't a thought of harm.
Had she looked at all, you would have
thought
She need not have been so quickly caught,
Forthe long red bushy foX's tail,
Swept over the meadow like q trail.
But twas rather dark, for night was near,
And another thing, greatly fear,
She felt too anxious to see quite clear;
She was simply goose Of one idea.
The school master opens wide his book,
The goose makes a long, long neck, to look,
He opens his mouth, as if TO cough,
sWhen, snippety- snapl her head flies of.
Now, cackle loudly her sisters fond,
Who are watching proudly from the pond,
While OF to the town that lies beyond,
The whole of the frightened flock abscond.
That day, the geese made a solemn vow,
Which their faithful children keep till now,
That, never shall goose or gosling look
At any school master or his book.
So, If ever you should chance to hear
Them talking of school, don't think 1t queer
II they say some hard things, or appear
To show a certain degree of fear;
1t is always so with geese, my dear.
e. 4. SmulleT, ia ST. Nicholas for May.