The Minneapolis journal., 1902-08-06
WISDOM OF A GOOSE
By MARTHA NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..

Thus presently it happened that the bay
Almont was often seen standing before the
Parker gate. Parker's girls had been full
grown good many years All three were
fair-looking in sort OF shrill ana angular
fashion. Somehow Joe shrank from the
touch of their thin, clutching fingers. Widow
Martins fingers were as softly dimpled as
baby's. He could never quiterbring him-
self to court any of the Parkers outright
Almira Parker the youngest and shreWd-
est grew impatient and resolved to bring
things to head. She saw far enough TO
understand that the Widow Martin was what
stood in her way, Inevitably she invited
herself to spend the day with that lady. In
course Of the visit she rigged her hostess SO
numerically oyer, Joe and his dumb devo-
ton that Mrs. Martin grew angry with her.
angrier with herself, angriest of all with
poor Joe. She broke out, at first hotly, then
with sort of contempt: "What you talkin.
about, Amiry? That old fowl court any
body! Why, he wouldn't have the sense ter
hunt water eff he'd been Matched a goose.
Almira had what che came for. Inside an
hour she was home again. Joe was due that
evening. What with superb biscuit and the
| thing she had to tell him, there was little
doubt that he would go home engaged to her.
1t fell out as she had planned. Somehow
she led Joe to believe the widow had from
the beginning made a mock of him, and then
somehow else she soothed his hurt with the
balm of her own eager adulation, and before
Joe fairly knew it, the thing was done.
well be married before Thanksgiving"
Amira planned. "Pore Josey! i CANT bear
ter think of leavin' you lonesome that day.
I've great mind ter ask Nanny Martin ter
dinner, only / know she wouldn't come She'd
make out she couldn't leave Uncle Duke. .
ice did not sleep. that night. He got up
with gray. resolved face. Out in the barn.
yard there was very prince of cocks, crest
| ed pheasant in all the glory of gold lace His
| two wives were as meek. as he himself was
gorgeous Joe had reared them from some
! famous nigh-priced eggs. They were meant
for Mrs. Martins Christmas gift. She loved
chickens, but nothing in her yards could COM
pare with these. He had told her about them
how they were to he hers at full prime. He
would keep his promise, though 1t was more
| bitter than death to thrust himself upon her
notice now that he knew she had laughed at
! him. He would take them to her at once. It
! would be manfestly improper after Almira
came At his call the cock ran to him, crow
| ing three times OH the way. One Of the pull
lets few upon his arm and began pecking food
| from the pan in his hand. The Martin house
| was In, sight, half a mile off. Ut would not
| re hard to tole the chickens there. So,
| clucking, grooming, doling out niggard hand
| fuls Joe set out wala.rg backward along the
| field path. ~cy>s~
Ittook him the best part of an hour to reach
Mrs Martins poultry yard. His heart beat
suffocat;ngly as he saw Mrs Martin herself
| moving about talking to her flock. At the
| click of the gate she turned short about, ask
| ing sharply: Whatever Is the matter, joe
! Copley? Oh, it CANT be you brought them
beauties to me!'' -. =..-
/ That's jest what did do Joe said. Then,
with dogged humility, he added: lou see,
when ] found out how you'd been pestered
with an old fowl that ef it was goose
| wouldn't have the sense ter go to water,
! was bound you should have some young ones
to sorter make up" =
| Joe, you're worse'n any goose that ever
was -plucked!" Mrs. Martin said decidedly
"You won't see things plainer'n the nose on
your face, But see Almira Parker's game
She shan't have you, whatever comes or goes
''She's goln' ter have me before Thanks
givin'," Joe interrupted, with sepulehra
sigh. e. ="
Widow Martin stamped her foot. No sucf
thirg!" she said You promised me them
chickens an anything else 1 wanted fos
said them very Words Well, now, want
you!" - ",5f'.-'-.'. - -
4 Joe's answer was in the silent eloquence o.
action He had the widow fast and tight ne
L fore YOU could wink your eye. q Whoever als
t approved, the golden pheasant did not H'
few ipon the fence and croWed three times
, his voice almost as triumphant as mis- some
time masters eyes. - --.