Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1909-12-04
. POULTRY FARMS JOURNEY,

LID GRANDFATHER GANDER,
who had apartments on the top
floor, had the best of 1t. His
neck was long and slim, and he could
force 1t through the Sits in the roof
and see what was going on. Then he
would report in a loud voice to the
others, and every one of them would
comment upon 1t in his own way.
What had happened was this: One
day Farmer sloane said to his wife as
they walked about their New Jersey
farm. MY dear, I am going to sell all
the poultry. You are not strong enough
to take care of so many duties, and the
chickens and ducks and geese must 60"
The farmers pretty wife cried a lit
tie. az can't bear to part with them.
/ can't bcar to think of selling them
to be killed"
well. my dear answered the
farmer, and that was all the white
bantam rooster heard. He fairly flew
to the chicken yard to tell the news.
which made a fearful commotion. l can
tell you, for they were all very content
and fond of the farmers wife.
That is how they happened all to be
packed in shallow boxes placed one on
top Of the other in a wagon on a ferry
boat crossing the Hudson river from
New Jersey to New York.
Old Grandfather Gander, as I have
said, was in the top row, n he had
a good view of everything. People
| poured on the boat in crowds, and he
kindly told all the other feathered
| creatures about them. Presently the
boat started. Such a large sheet OF
water astonished Grandfather Gander,
and he didn't hesitate to say 50. He
said it compared very favorably with
the duck pond back in Jersey. He
squawked SO very loud upon first see
ing the boat move through the water
that all the passengers on the for
ward deck roared with laughter.
Father Gander and all the ducks
and geese, reosters and chickens forgot
for a few moments their uncomforta-
Bile cramped positions and the fate they
expected in their enjoyment of seeing
the world.
"Quawk-quawk-how good the water
looks. Oh, for a swim," shouted he.
"oh, for a swim!" echoed the ducks
and geese. 'Oh, for a good farm
worm." cackled the ROSTERS. Cut, cut,
cut dar cut!" agreed the hens.
Poor things." said a lady standing
near. "See how cruelty tight they are
packed, and look at hat inquisitive old
lander on top. He seems to report to
the others everything that goes on. /
suppose all their heads will be chopped
OFF before night"
Just then the old gander gave a ter
rifle scream, and all the others followed
suit. Every one laughed and looked to
see what the matter was. There, just
in front of the ferryboat was an i'm
mense ocean steamer, n of b very
largest in the world. No wonder the
gander squawked to call attention to it.
When the boat reached New York the
old gray horse pulled the wagon load of
poultry off the boat and up toward the
markets, and the feathered folk were
very sad indeed. But-the wagon
passed by the markets and on across
the city and over the great Brooklyn
bridge to Long ~Island-the old gander
souawking his establishment at every
step. and the others following suit.
Then there was a long, long trip on
the nice la roads, during which the
feathered tribe got very hungry and
very. very thirsty.
Then the driver called out whoa
to the old gray horse, and h wagon
stopped in front of a cheerful little
house. way out in the country.
The door opened with a bang. and
out pranced an excited boy.
Here they arei" he shouted. Come,
mother, father! Come, quick! Here
are the chickens and ducks Uncle Abe
bought for mel
"And ~gander!" squawked old Grand
father Gander irately. while all the
other ~feathered folk laughed at him.
Goodness, what a noise they makei'
said the mother, stopping her ears.
They're a fine lot said the father.
"And now you hav a ready-made poul-
try farm, Charles. Get them out of
those dreadful GOODS at once"
So they were liberated, and the old
gander. as he tried TO unite the cr5ck
In his neck. started a song of thanks,
in which all the others joined.-Wash-
ington star.