Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1899-11-23
Roberts Pet Goose.

Roberts Pet Goose.
"Honk! honk!" cried the wild geese
as they few over little Roberts house
on their way south TO spend the win
ter. When Robert heard the loud
"honking" he would run out, and look
ing up Il the sky see the long line OF
geese, and wish so much that he could
have a wild goose, that one would
alight in his yard; but they few right
over. Not far from Roberts home was
a large lake and here the wild geese
often stopped, and many hunters went
out and shot them. People liked them
to eat very much. One day Roberts
father went out to get some OF the
geese, and when he came back he
brought one live goose that had been
hurt only a little. See here, Robert,
boy, what 1 have brought you," called
his father. "A fine live wild goose. 1t
is hurt so little that l think 1t will live
all right, and you can have it for your
own if you want it," Robert was de-
lighted, and took the best OF care of
his big new pet, and soon it vas we'll;
oAAe oANNA hAo NAAPPCu T. Ii
it was let put in the yard with the hens
and chickens and seemed very we'll
c~ontented. 1t grew very tame, and
Robert played with it a good deal, and
the goose would come at his call and
really seemed to know the little boy
and be fond Of him. Come home with
me and see my goose" Robert would
Il nffon Sov RI hfc cnhna1po atac onI Tho
children were very glad to visit the
odd pet. One fine day early In the
spring Robert was out playing in the
yard and his dear goose was walking
close by him as usual, when a big flock
Of wild geese went over, going north
this time to build their nests and rear
their little ones. Robert was so busy
looking up at the flock and trying to
count the geese, and listening to their
loud honking, that he did not notice
that his own dear goose was looking up
also, and suddenly, before he could
stop her, she rose quickly in the air,
! Joined the flock Of her wild relations,
and off she went. Little Robert stood
for a moment too surprised to speak
or move, but when he found his dear
pet was really gone, he burst into tears
and ran crying into the house. 20
mother" he cried, my goose has flown
away! She went off with that big
flock that just flew over. Oh dear. oh
dear!" and he cried as though his heart
would break. Don't cry So" said his
mother. Il am SO sorry, dear, but try
to think how happy you goose is 60
ing to be with all the other geese, fly
ing, flying along through the bright
blue sky. Perhaps she was lonely with
you"
II Inn afraid somebody will shoot
her" sobbed Robert. I'VE will hope
they will not" said his mother, try
ing to comfort him. "Well now who
would have thought of it," said Rob-
ert's father when he came home at
night and the little boy ran to tell him
his sad tale. Il suppose I ought to
have clipped her wings again. But
don't cry any more, my boy; perhaps
can get you another goose next fall.
win try to, anyway"
"But 1t won't be my W dear
goosie," said Robert; "and l thought
she loved me and liked to stay with
me-"
Il guess she loved her own kind of
geese best" said Roberts father, smil-
Ing. Robert often thought OF his goose
during the summer, and he and his
mother used to talk about her and
wonder what she was doing In her far
away northern home, for he did not
know much Of the habits OF wild
geese. do you suppose she ever
thinks Of me? Robert asked his
mother. II am afraid geese cannot do
much thinking, but II she could. I feel
sure she would like to think about one
who was always so good to her and
loved her so dearly" answered his
| mother.
When the geese began again to ay
south, Robert often watched the fjocks
and wondered IL his goose were there
And n day-you can hardly believe
1t. but this is a true story-Robett's
goose did come back: she few right
into the yard and brought two dear
goslings with her! Oh. how delighted
Robert wasi And the goose seemed To
know him, and came right up to eat
out OF his hand Just as she used 10 do
Well, WE'LL" exclaimed Roberts IA
: ther. ito think OF that goose's coming