The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-10-29
THE LITTLE GOOSE GIRL.
Raising Geese in the Suburbs OF New
York City-Picturcsque Scene.


On the rising ground that slopes gently 10
ihe north of the shallow and grassy cree; at
Spuvteu Duyvil, and overlooking the Writer'S
Of the Hudson, with its busy craft on tie
west. a little rosy checked maiden one bright
afternoon not long ago was driving a lcck
Of geese before her with a long slender
switch. Her disorderly tresses blowing m
the fresh breeze that came up from tho shore
looked like mass Of golden fax. waving and
glisteuiug in the warm August sunlight The
pecse themselves we've rather a detected and
mournfu looking lot At least they were not
of the class that an artist would choose with
which TO produce an effect Of light and shade
on canvas: though, to be sure, they were RI
dculously picturesque as they ran TO ard
fro. quarreling necessarily. The little girl
proved herself most attentive guardian TO
such al uninvlting company. She hurried
here and there among her refractory charges
with never firing pace; driving reluctant
ones from occasional puddles beside the path
way, in which they we're disposed TO linser,
and restricting those who now and then
stopped 10 settle certain disputes that arose
between them from fighting it out. She told
me that the geese belonged to her papa-au
except one. And that one, which she proudly
pointed out, but which was unable to dis
tinguish from the rest, although said that
could, she declared with lisp really be
longed 20 her. had been out for tramp
oil day and, Indifferent as 10 where my steps
led me. as long as they were away from the
heated nagstones and brick and mortar Of
the city, accompanied my little goose girl
in the direction Of her home, while l listened
TO her innocent chatter about her flock.
She held her switch toward a dilapidated
shaniy that stood almost at the top Of the
hill, and which, at least, possessed some in
terest, il for no other reason than that it was
the most woeful looking rookery that ones
Imagination might picture. IL was con-
structed Of old, roughly planed boards green
with age and covered in places with patches
Of lichcn. Its roof was an uneven mass OF
black tar paper, 50 popular with the lnhabi-
tants Of Shantytown, while against the sides
OF the building was piled an amazing guam
tity Of old iron and other refuse. \ goat was
wandering about aimlossly outside, aud as /
approached, two dirty faced children, in
short frocks, who were eating bread and but
Ter, came UP ~ Nlitlt st'pNf III Va HNt ei''
they might wipe their greasy hands on my
coat sleeve.
From their mother, who was kind enough
10 call them back, learned that the geese,
which now gathered themselves togethor
within fenced inclosuro behind the house,
were raised altogether for the market, ana
that the returns were Of great assistance IN
maintaining the little family. Many Of their
neighbors kept Gocl.s of these fowls, too for
the vicinity seemed TO be a most favorable
breeding place. There are certainly many
ways Of adding 90 ones income, and IN tho
suburbs goose farming does not appear To he
the least insigniicantof thcm-John Preston
Bcecher in New York News.