Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-06-07
CHILDREN'S COLUMN.
The Fsathsred Here.

goose, around which is a golden collar
with the inscription, Jacob % Bat
talon Coldstream Guards" Beneath
1t are the words, "Disd on Duty"
In 1888 a rebellion broke out in
Great Britain's Canadian possessions,
and two battalions Of the guards were
sent thither 10 assist In guelling II .he
battalion already mentioned being one
Of them. Both corps occupied the
citadel Of Quebec, and in their turn
supplied the guards which were
ordered 10 be mounted in different
| parts Of the town and neighbOrhood.
Near one Of these guards was a farm
yard which had suffered much from
! the TaYagcs Of fOIes-auimals that
were at that time great pest 10 the
colonists; and as the farm in question
had been suspected Of being the meet
ing place Of the rebels, chain of
sentries was placed around II. One
day the sentry whose duty it was 70
/ watch the entrance to the farm. had
/ his attention attracted 20 an unusual
noise, and on looking toward the spot
/ whence it proceeded he bcheld fine
I goose fleeing toward him closely pur-
sued by fox. His first impulse was
70 have at shot at the latter; but this
would have alarmed the guard, and
brought condign punishment On him
I self for giving a false alarm. lie was
compelled, therefore, 10 remain a silent
! spectator 20 the scene, while every step
/ brought the rcynard nearer to his prey.
In the hight Of its despair the poor
/ bird ran its head and neck between tho
| legs II the soldier, in its frantic en-
dcayor 70 reach the refuge which the
scntry.box could afford, and at tho
same moment the willy fox made a
/ desperate grab at the goose; but too
late, for ere he could get feather
between his teeth, the ready hayonet
II the sentinel passed through his
body. The poor goose, by way Of
showing its gratitude 70 its preseryer,
rubbed its head against his legs, and
made other equally curious demonstra-
lions Of Joy; nor could it ever be pre-
vailed upon TO quit the post, but
walked up and down day after day
with each successive sentry that was
placed there until the battalion left
Canada, when the goose was brought
away with it as Fegimental pet TO
England.
The most remarkable thing in con-
ion with the story is that the goose in
.urn actually saved its preserycr's life.
Whether the former knew that the
sentry was the same man or not must,
. # course, forever remain problem;
but it 50 happened that he was
IN that particular post about
Two months aftcrward. attended by the
goose, when a desperate attempt was
made 70 surprise and kill the unwary
sentinel in these moments Of darkness
A sharp observer might have noticed
he shadows of several men. who un
Observed by the somewhat drowsy SEN
incl, were cndcayoring stcal;hily 70
approach the post where he stood.
Closer and closer they stole up toward
he post, the thick snow which lay on
be ground completely deadening the
found Of their footsteps But just as
.wo II their number, one on each side
u the sontry-hoX, Were preparing with
upliftcl knives to spring upon the un-
suspccting man. the goose made a
grand effort. rose suddenly on its
wings. and swept around the sentry
box with tremendous force, Tapping its
wings right in the faces Of the would.
bc assassins. They were astounded,
and rushed hlndly forward; but the
sentry, fully aroused TO his danger,
hayonctcd one and shot at the other as
he was running away. Meanwhile, the
other conspirators approached quickly
to the assistance Of their colleagues:
but the bird repeated its tactics, and
enabled the sentry TO keep them at bay
until the guard-whom the firing Of
his musket had alarmed-came upon
the scene and made then, lae for
their lives.
When this incident became known,
poor old Jacob was the hero of the
garrison, and the officers subscribed
for and purchased the golden collar
which the bird aftcrward wore until
the day Of its death. The feathered
hero was well fed and cared for. and a
circular bath filed with water was al
ways at his disposal For many years