Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-12-18
GOOSE AS A WITNESS.
He Honked His Way Back to His
RiqhtfuI Owner.

niSntruI S"HoT'
"It must be a hardy man who would
put a goose on the stand to prove his
case, yet I have heard Of one taking
the chance. I don't mean the human
goose, you understand, but the real
bird"
It was the colonel who spoke, griz-
zled old hunter forming one OF our
party round the camp fire. The colonel
was an oracle on sports in which the
gun plays a part, and match FOR any
sailor in spinning yarns. But he would
not brook inattention or the expression
of any sign of incredibility. Having
cast an imperative glance around and
satisfied himself that we were IN
recipient attitude he proceeded:
II will tell you the story as heard
1t from a guide on one Of my hunting
excursions in South Jersey. Tom Hance
was one Of the best waterfowl hunters
in the country. We had been talking
about mutual acquaintance, and 1
ventured to remark that he was
goose.
"T don't know bout that answered
Tom. Folks say mans g goose when
he's sort o. foolish, but that, sirs,
great mistake. The goose is one o
'he wisest Of critters. You mayn't be-
lieve what I'm going to tell you, but
it's the Gospel truth. That ere. gan
der as I bears in mind was named
Sam, and got him in this wise. One
day 1 was out cunning. A flock O
geese came to the stools and I down.
ed three. Two Of em didn't give me
no trouble, but t'other one was differ
ent and ef a goose could dive I'd neV-
er we got him. When came to look
him over he wasn't hurted a bit, 'cept
that the tip end OF the bone on one
wing was shot off. That kept him
from flying then and frever after
wards. Bein' as he was a fine gander
I lowed I'd keep him for honKer.
Arter awhile he got right tame; he'd
eat out O. my hand and follow me
bout like dog. I larned that fellow
to do almost everything I told him.
I'd say, "Honk, SAM" an he'd honk
till you'd think his throat'd split. The
geese I've killed over that bird'd s'prise
you. I'd take him out to a seaWeed
bed an he'd set there quiet as a mouse
till I'd see a flock O. geese comm, an
saw. "Honk, Sam" Then he'd honk
like he was callin' 'em to feast, an
most always they'd come.
"On course, he got in time to be
talked bout, an most every hunter as
come along tried to buy him, but l
wouldn't a tekked hundred for him.
At last one day when was away from
home he went off. knowed he hadn't
gone far O. his own will, so when he
didn't come back lowed he'd strayed
down to the medders an been kilt or
stolen. Arter couple O. months or so
I hearn tell O. a feller on tother side
O. the bay, a ornery thievin' sort o
cuss, as had a goose, an lowed at
oncet It could be Sam. So cross the
bay I goes, an, sure 'nough, soon as l
seed the goose recognized Sam, an
Sam he recognized me. But l didn't
let On as I come for the goose, for 1
was feard the ornery cuss d get away
with it. "Snipes," say I, that's a
mighty fine gander you got there; kin
he honk?" Guess so," says he, but l
amt had a chance to try him yet; l
bought him from a man down the bay
arter the season was over" I come
back an goes straight to court, an
gets a writ O. 'plevin for that goose,
an when we gets into court that there
Snipes he went in an swore he had
the goose two year. Judge" says l,
with your leave I'd like to ask that
there 'fendant one or two questions
Fire away" says the judge. NOV,
look here Mr.. Snipes," says /, you
say you had that ere goose two year.
I'd like you to tell me If he knows
what you say to him?" How can
goose know what you say to him."
says he. "Is that so?" says 1.
"'"Jedge, you'd allow If I tell that
goose to do certain things an he does
'em that he's my goose, sure 'nough"
THAT 'ud be pretty good evidence"
says the jedge. All that time they had
Sam tied by the legs an perched up on
a table. "Jedge," says I, "jest make
'em turn the goose loose, an I'll show
you." The jedge made 'em take off the
strings and Snipes he says nuthin',
cause he didn't know the gander.
SAM" says l.. come here" The way
the old goose fiuttered off the table
an come trotting up to me made the
jedge look sharp at Snipes, an Snipes
turn pale. SAM" says I, "set down."
an down he got. SAM" says I, git
up" an he got. SAM" says I, "honk,
an honk good" Sam honked till he
almost raised the roof an the people In
the courtroom had to stop their. ears.
"Cap'en Tom," says the jedge, there
can't be no manner o. doubt that goose
is yourn. an as for you, Snipes, to
come into court and perjure yourself
shows you to be the biggest goose OF
the two" "'"-New York Telegraph.