Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1883-05-10
CHILDRBN'S COLUMN.
The Eeafhered Hero.

a glass case in the English Coldstream
guards orderly room at Whitehall 1t
consists of the head and neck of a
goose, around which is a golden collar
with the inscription, "Jacob I'd Bat
talon Coldstream Guards" Beneath
it are the words, "Died on Duty"
In 1888 a rebellion broke out in
Great Britain's Canadian possessions
and two battalions Of the guards were
nent thither to assist in quelling it, the
hattalion already mentioned being one
G them. Both corps occupied the
citadel of Quebec, and in their turn
supplied the guards which were
ordered to be mounted in different
parts of the town and neighborhOod,
Near one of these guards was farm
yard which had suffered much from
the ravages of foxes-animals that
were at that time great pest to the
coloniSts; and as the farm in question
had been suspected of being the meet
ing place of the rebels, a chain of
sentries was placed around it. One
day the sentry, whose duty it was to
watch the entrance to the farm, had
his attention attracted to an unusual
noise, and on looking toward the spot
whence it proceeded he beheld fine
goose fleeing toward him closely pur-
sued by fox. His first impulse was
to have at shot at the latter; but this
would have alarmed the guard, and
brought condign punishment on HIM
self for giving false alarm. lie was
compelled, therefore, to remain a silent
spectator to the scene, while every step
brought the reynard nearer to his prey.
In the hight of its despair the poor
bird ran its head and neck between the
legs of the soldier. in its frantic en-
deavor to reach the refuge which the
sentry.box could afford, and at the
same moment the willy fox made u
desperate grab at the goose; but too
late, for ere he could get feather
between his teeth, the ready bayonet
of the sentinel passed through his
body, The poor goose, by way of
showing its gratitude to its preserver,
rubbed its head against his legs, and
made other equally curious demonstra-
tions 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 a regimental pet to
England.
The most remarkable thing in con-
ton with the story is that the goose in
turn actually saved its preserver's life.
Whether the former knew that the
sentry was the same man or not must,
Of course, forever remain a problem;
but it SO happened that he was
on that particular post about
two months afterward, attended by the
goose, when desperate attempt was
made to surprise and kill the unwary
sentinel. In these moments of darkness
sharp observer might have noticed
the shadows of several men, who un-
observed by the somewhat drowsy SEN
tinel, were endeavOring stealthily to
approach the post where he stood.
Closer and closer they stole up toward
the post, the thick snow which lay on
the ground completely deadening the
sound of their footsteps. But just as
two of their number, one on each side
of the sentry-box, were preparing with
uplifted knives to spring upon the un-
suspecting 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
be assassins. They were astounded,
and rushed blindly forward; but the
sentry, fully aroused to his danger,
bayoneted 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 them flee 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 afterward wore until
the day Of its death. The feathered
hero was well fed and cared for, and
circular bath filled with water was al
ways at his disposal. For many years
Jacob seemed to bear a charmed life;
but he was at length run over by
van. Every effort which kindness and
skill could suggest was made to save