The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-11-02
FREAK OF A DUCK.
FOur-Legged and ComiCal
as a Joke.
Two Pairs of Legs and Feet That Did
Duty Alternately at the Will
of the Owner.

One OF the Queerest OF natures odd freaks
came from ducks egg into The light OF the
world about three weeks ago in the little back
yard OF Charles A. Bailsv's place OF abode, 8
South Park. Ii was a Pekin duck ling with a
double action attachment for locomoton that
made the little fellow more cOmical and anus.
ing than a hatful of eudmen's jokes.
He came from his mother shell equipped with
four perfectly developed legs and feet. did this
little duckling. and he soon learned TO make
use of them all In most amusing way. One
pair OF legs was set right behind he other pair.
and all OF them were equally adaptable to the
purposes OF getting there" When he first
started out with his sisters in search of a SWIM
ming pain he seemed a little in doubt as to
de decided TO Try the front pair, which worked
admirably for little while. But soon after he
seemed 10 think II would be matter OF ingrat
tude to beneficent providence TO neglect the
other pair al ogether. and so. 10 the
envy and establishment OF the other
dcckl1ngs and The staid and motherly
old hen who had patiently set for their hat CHI.
ing, he changed oil and began TO trot about The
yard on the hlnd pair. meanwhile merrily pip
Ing MS little Pekln notes and eating every
thlng mat came In sight from breadcrumbs TO
broken glass; paint and putty. He would
change his mode of iOcomotiOn from one pair
oil legs 10 the other with the greatest ease,
ana all the lime he showed signs of pride in
MS unusual endowmcnts. Thus did lie thrive
ana grow, becoming til" pet OF all ~whO knew
MN anu star attraction In the heDcOop col
ony. line doWny texture of his yellow coat
began 10 give way 10 a suspicion of coming
1eatDers. Duckse's voice acquired a stronger
tone, with a slight Chinese accent-for ne
was a puie-blooded PekiD-and the two pairs
OF legs MAD come 10 thorough and satlsfac-
tory understanding as TO their alternating
functions OF activity and rest; perfect harmony
Ttleneo among the pedal organs; when the
'front.' pair walked the hind pair lifted, pointed
aslefn anu acted as steering apparatus;
wneh tne hlnd pair walked the front feet were
Deid up 10 The sides like sidebOards on sc0w.
Everything seemed lovely.
But Iatal calamity overlook the y0ungster
YESTERDAY His greedy appetite proved his
Dane He foraged too freely and swallowed
some particles OF paint and putty. II was not
GOOD for him. Ducksie had miscaculated his
powers OF digestion. In The midst Of life he
Was III death. Suddenly and without piping
note OF warning the four legs unanimously re-
fused 10 walk. He cured up all bis toes and
died.
But as curiosity and freak he will not be
altogether lost TO The world. He will be stuffed
ana preserved for future reference. A kearny-
street taxidermist now has the remains In hand
Tor that purpose. The freak was tile properly
OF Gus Woodley, young man who lives with
DIS motner and stepfather, Mr.. and Mrs.
Chasles A. Bailey, at the place already men,
tioDed. Woodley secured the duck ecgs-four
10 numDtr-from friend and set them under
one OF DIS mothers trusiy old hens. In due
time three little ducklings m de their appear
aDce, one OF which was the four-egged young
DUDE. Yesterday Mrs. Bailey stated that she
felt almost as bad over the duckiing's untimely
dealh az II she mad lost one OF her own children.