Wichita eagle., 1888-10-03
THE LITTLE GOOSE GIRL
Raising Geese In the Suburbs Of New
York City-Picturesque Scene.

Raising Geese In the SuDuro0 Of New
York City-Picturesque Scene.
On the rising ground that slopes gently to
the north OF the shallow and grassy creek at
Spuyten Duyvil, and overlooking the waters
of the Hudson, with its busy craft on the
west. little rosy checked maiden one bright
afternoon not long ago was driving a flock
Of geese before her with long slender
switch. Her disorderly tresses blowing In
the fresh breeze that came up from the shore
looked like mass of golden fax, waving and
glistening in the warm August sunlight The
geese themselves were rather G detected and
mournful 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 IL
diculousiy picturesque IS they ran to and
fro, quarreling necessarily. The little girl
proved herself most attentive guardian to
such an uninviting company. She hurried
here and there among her refractory charges
with a never firing pace; driving reluctant
ones from occasional puddlss beside the path
way, in which they we're disposed to hnger,
and restricting those who now and then
stopped to 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 l was unable to dis
tinguish from the rest, although said that
could, she declared with lisp really be-
longed to her. had been out for tramp
ali day and, Indifferent as to where my steps
led me, as long Us they were away from the
heated iagstones 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
shanty that stood almost at the top of the
hill, and which, at least, possessed some in
terest, if for no other reason than that it was
the most woeful looking rookery that ones
imagination might picture. 1t was con-
structed Of old, roughly pianed boards green
with age and covered in places with patches
of lichen. Its roof was an uneven mass of
black tar paper, SO popular with the inhabi-
tants of Shantytown, while against the sides
of the building was piled an amazing guam
tity Of old iron and other refuse A goat was
wandering about aimlessly outside, and as
approached, two dirty faced children, in
short frocks, who were eating bread and but
ter, came up to where l stood, in order that
they might wipe their greasy hands on my
coat sleeve.
From their mother, who was kind enough
to call them back, learned that the geese,
which now gathered themselves together
within fenced inclosure behind the house,
were raised altogether for the market, and
that the returns were of great assistance in
maintaining the little family. Many of their
neighbors kept flocks of these fowls, too, for
the vicinity seemed to be most favorable
breeding place. There are certainly many
ways of adding to ones income, and in the
suburbs goose farming does not appear to be
the least Insignificant of them.-John Preston
Beecher in New York News