The morning call., 1892-11-18

the gander was called, far and near as the
most phenomenal biped in those parts, and
predicted for him glowing career.
Dan had been taught a number OF enter
tanning tricks, such as walking tight roi g
stretched on the ground, turning lopslded
sOmersaults. and standing on one foot and
cronklnR at the word OF command from MS
young master. People used 10 come for
blocks around 10 see the intellectual bird
perform.
Yet Peter Mueller. aged IA, was not salts
fed. He felt that such a bralny biped as
Dan should be in better business than doing
mere mechanical tricks.
Peter was progressive and Insisted that
the tIme-hoDored traditions and customs Of
the long ago had no place in this busting
age. What Peter wanted was to dep0se the
cur dog and install the gander as body
guard 10 the old man.
Sausalito was an open book to this iBtell-
gent and Observsnt bird, and Peter argued
that the gander would create somewhat of
sensation II allowed TO tow the old man
around town at the end of a string.
He preached the subject 10 his parent, but
the old gentleman demurred. The do2
suited him well enough, lie said, and lie aid
not care TO introduce an innovation at his
time of life.
But Peter insisted and painted the
triumphant tour OF ths gander In such glow
Ing terms that MIR. Mueller at last re-
luctantly consented TO give Dams budding
genius chance. SO the blind man aud the
bird were hitched up together shortly after
lunch yesterday.
Still doubtful as to the outcome OF the
experiment, Mr.. Mueller requested that
either Peter or the dog be allowed to accom-
pany him on the trial trip. But Peter
laughed at his fears and confidently assured
the old man that Dan knew his business
Sc, with some misgiving. Mr. Mueller took
tight hold on the string and followed the
gander.
Tho NuaIlara Jva IN tha adsa ~ .oy,r
near the beach. and the absence OF other
people In that neighborbood probably ae-
counts for what happened.
Dan started of, struttin2 along proudly
with the old man in tow, and Kissing fierce
ly at Imaginary intruieTs. Peter. with his
bosom swelling with pride, watched the
performance from the house until the pair
disappeared over ridge, and he sat down
to await their return,
But they never came back, that is, not
just then. The gander took straight
course TO the beach and. arriving at jump
of OF about three feet, he uttered loud
cronk, spread out lis white wings and
sailed into the bay.
Mistaking Dams cry for a note of alarm
and feeling the sudden tug on the string the
blind man naturally thought he was being
attacked In the rear, so he followed the
phenomenally intelligent bird of Sausalito.
MIR. Mueller came up about twenty feet
from the bank. spouting salt water like a
pOrpoise, whilelthe feathered prodigy, fright
ened by the commotion, scrambled out and
fed away TO the green hillside and went to
cropping the herbage there.
Oh. yes, he knew his business.
Fortunately the old man was able To
swim, but he lost his bearings In the excite
ment and struck out toward the opposite
shore, doing very well for bind man.
There was but little wind and a smooth
sea. and the tide setting in helped him
along amazingly in the wrong direction
He padded away and yelled loudly for
help, but none came, so he devoted himself
exclusively to keeping afioat.
1t was hard task. however, being
weighed down With clothes and unaccus-
toned TO the cold water. and Mueller was
about 10 succumb to the advancement of
the Gander creation when a large plank
struck him on the back of the head.
lie had just strength enough left TO grasp
TINS timely preseryer ard hold on. In a
snort time he was carried out into mid
channel. where he was rescued by an in
ward-bound crab hunter from the heads
Mr.. Mueller was almost gone when the
Italian hauled him into the boat, aud could
only roll his siRhtless orbs in silent graft
tude. The fisherman pulled rapidly 10 the
customs station at the foot OF Powell street
where the drenched and dripping victim of
misplaced confidence was taken in and
wrung out.
drink Of brandy soon restored Mueller's
tongue, and then that basely betrayed indi-
vidual broke loose. He raved and shreked
and swore. principally in German. empha-
sizing his How with vicious jabs at the air
with his fists. None of the people there
understood German and they were at a loss
to know what he meant by il.
In the midst OF the turmoil Peter Mueller
aged IA. arrived pale and agitated. The
gender had come home dragging the wet and
bedraggled string, and an inkling had imme-
diateiy cropped out in Peters progressive
mind.
lie jumped into boat with waterman
and had pulled out far enough TO see his
limp and almost liielsss parent hauled upon
the Powell-street dock
As soon as the old man heard Peters
voice he resumed the thread of his nara
tive, but Peter refused TO interpret for the
benefit OF those present. He seemed i'll at
ease and anxious about something, and as
soon as he had Quoted his parent suffi-
GENTLY he and the Italian loaded the old
gentleman into their boat and pulled for the
shores If Sausali.o.
1t IS rumored in Sausalito by those in a
position to know that the cur LOG will re-
sumo his regular job to-day, and that Mr.
Mueller has insisted en- having an intellec-
tual feast, as it were, on Thanksgiving day.
Roast gander will figure on the bill Of fare,
III Is SAID. CHARLES DRYDEN.