Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-09-12
A WONDERFUL GAEDER STORY
Remarkable Attachment Of a Bird
for a Blind Man.
Let Philosophers aud Scientists
Account for this.
Knoxville Tribune, 10.

knoxville Tribune, 10.
Having occasion to visit Blount
county one day last week we became
witness in part aud hearer to part of
the most puzzling incident which it
has ever befallen US to note. The story
is so wonderful and smacks so much
Of fiction without the best authorities,
that We are constrained to give the
names Of witnesses and parties inter-
ested, that We may be credited fully
for what follows.
Many of our readers will remember
an old gentleman, now deceased about
eight years, who lived some two miles
this side of Maryville, Captain A. q.
Montgomery. He was father-in law
to u fellow townsman, Alex Kenne
dy, than whom there is no better
known and appreciated in Knox and
Blount counties. We try to give the
story as Mr.. Kennedy tells it.
Some thirteen years ago, at which
time Mr.. Montgomery was about 20
years Of age, he was stricken partially
of mind aud also Of eyesight. Being
thus in6rm, it became necessary for
the family to keep watch over his
movements, and especially enc tenden-
cy OF bis to wander away among the
fields and meadows.
Scarcely able to see, he would con-
tinue to wander off, feeling his way,
and it was usual to send some o0e
after him to coax him back, after the
lapse OF half an hour or so. 0ne day
he took a stroll down toward the barn
pasture lois unobseryed. where there
was a flock OF geese, numbering, per
haps, a hundred When he returued
to the house, which was something
UNUSUAL for him 10 do without being
seat for, the family were puzzled to
notice a snow white gander out of the
flock Of geese stepping along in front
OF the old gentleman, chatterlng away
as though greatly concerned in his
progress, sometimes nearly getting
under his feeble feet, but preserving
the air of an earnest escort. They
reached the house, aud when the man
went in the gander followed him with
the same zeal, to the amazement ofthe
family. When i~nterfogated as to the
strange conduct OF the gaDder, his
only reply was that his mother had
seut BIN a present, and nothing else
could be gotten ourrof him.
The gander was put outof the house,
alter making the most spirited protest
with many a flap aud struggle. No
sooner out, however, than in again,
and close by the side Of the old man
who seemed withal little concerned
about his feathered friend. The pro-
cess Of putting out was repeated so
often, and the penalty of coming ia
made so severe, that 10 spite OF an
unparalleled yalor, the devoted web
foot was constrained to keep his vigil
upon the turf in the yard, near by the
door.
Whenever a fOOtstep was heard up
on the porch. the gander was always on
hand to see il it was his feeble footed
idol. If it was some one else, with
detected air he Would.return slowly TO
his watch. If it was the old man,
with many a flop and hutter, and with
a great deal Of gander jubilatioD, would
the strangely infatuated bird proceed
70 give vent TO his joy. And from the
very first day Of this strange devotion,
wherever the old gentleman wandered
the gandsr was p~erpetually at his feet,
fOndly rubbing against his lettering
legs, and undoubtedly trying With all
Of his intelligence, to give protec
ton and guidance. Leaving the mill
pond tenanted Eitha hundred Joyous
ones Of his own kind beating the cool
water 70 a white spray in their spring
time arm0urs; leaving mate, kindred
and feathered memories, thus for five
long years did this self sacrifice con
tinue upon the part Of the strange
bird. The clangor Of battle went on
10 the mating season, and the budding
woods caught up the sounding fOray,
but our deystee remained a veritable
Simon Stitches At the feet Of that tot
teriBgold man.
His wings we're cropped and he was
carried back 70 the sce6es Of bis
gOsliugboOd by the sedgy Drinks Of the
pgrbng waters, but . few hours found
bin at he post, and afterwards bis
p%iniODs were allowed 10 grow intact.
Somedues the old man would get out
On 3 side Of the house opposite 10
where q bird generally watched aud
get of into the fields. The gauder
would seem 10 know intuitiyely that
something was wrong, and be would
set up a elamor. take wing and fly
about the fields from bill 20 bill until
the beloved object Of his search was
fouad.
10 the night time, 10 the dead Of
winter, II the old man made a noise
inside the house, a. he often did, the
gsDdey would be the first ons 10 make
a deuonstratiOn By answering outside.
Alter this association bad lived and
endured with the most marvellous and
uuabated consistency for the space Of
five yeas, the old gentleman died.
The day Of his death the gauder was
strangely disturbed, finally VeBtured
into the house, and after q deliberate
search in every room finally took Ut
bis station uDder the coffin that held
the corpse. When the c0iin was pui
10 the carriage add started for The
burial, the gander sought 10 follow
but was taken back and shut up 10 tn,
yard.
When the funeral procession had
reached a point nearly half a mile
, from the house = (the writer wal
shown the place by Mr.. Kennedy AZ
we drove by in a buggy)-those &C
%companying the remains were aston.
ished TO hear the incorrigibIe birC
coming on the wing and looking 10
! tently for his deceased friend. II,
actually lighted down on the wagor
that bore the coffin. He went 10 III,
grave, but was lost 10 the crowd. Tn,
q Dext thing seen ofhim after the familr
J had returned from the i%nterinent b,
was az his old post in the yard intent
ly watching the porch upon which III,
: old gentleman had been wont 10 stel
forth. IL has been eight long year
since that day, but this maryelou
vigil has never once been broken for
a hall day, and often when a foot
r step is heard upon the porcl
r the old sentinel runs 10 see who /
{ Is. Once some Of Captain MoDtgom