The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1913-06-01
NOT WEB FOOTED
BY GEORGE TicKELL.

: Fine Dso-nin. Nissan Kronk.- re-
marked Samuel johnson. the coIored
porter. as he paused b. the door Of
the taxfdernists shop.
Mr.. Kronk locked up and smiled az
fabiy- Sans large, white teeth shone
responsive in his sable countenance,
and the sight OF the twin cleaning
rows Of ivorr axoke vague specula-
lions as to their powers OF mastication
N the tsxidermist-s mind.
Don't be in a hurry, Sam" he said.
genialiy- Come in for minute
The colored gentleman complied and
Mr. Kronk, with a ware OF his hand,
notfoned TO him TO sit down. On a
bench close by lay the freshly skinned
carcass OF huge bird. upon which
Sam gazed with appreciative interest.
The taIidermist noted the direction of
his glance and q beam of benevolence
frightened the Kronk features.
Are you fond Of goose for dinner,
Sam he inquired with an air OF faith
erly solicitEde. Mr. Johnson.s ceie-
brased grin expanded to astonishing
proportions.
@Dere am no bird dat beat a nice
goose. Missah Kronk. be responded,
rapturougiy.
Your reply is what / should have
expected from such a talented epicure,
Sam" commented the taxidermist,
gravely. Now. there is q goose, he
continued. pointing to the skinned
fowl which am unable to do justice
to- The fact is that / have been In
vited TO a dinner today. and tomorrow
must go out of town early. so that /
don't see Just how I can dispose OF
my bird / have about made up my
mind to give it to some deserving per
sop."
He paused and eyed Mr.. johnson,
who stirred uneasily in his chair and
licked his thick lips hungrily These
symptoms Of anticipated gastronomi-
cal delight were not lost upon the tax.
idermist, and the look OF benevolence
deepened on his face.
Sam he said, rising and placing
an afectionate hand on the colored
mans shoulder, Il believe you are
worthy of being presented with this
noble bird =
Mr. Johnson's smile threatened &c
divide his ebony countenance into two
separate and entirely distinct halves
Il tank you hundred million times
ct you GIBBS me dat goose. NISSAN
Kronk,' he exclaimed. gratefully.
Then, Sam, the bird il yours, said
the taxidermiss In due time the skin
less carcass was wrapped UP and
Johnson started of with 1t under his
arm. sttll voiubly expressing his
thanks Mr.. Kronk stood in the door
way gazing after him.
The bird of freedom" he muir.
INJURED. is indeed q noble fowl, and
afr Johnson's grinders are well adapt
ed to conquer even the stubborn flesh
OF that fne specimen Of bald-headed
eagle K
About a week later the taxidermfst
met Johnson and asked how he liked
the goose.
Dat goose exclaimed the recipient
of his bounty. shaking dubious head.
dat goose war surely de toughest
bird Clar' to goodness he mus bav'
bin de fader to all de ganders. billed
dat goose, an I done parbiled him.
den billed him agen- But it warn't
no use Dat was the all chewinsst bird
me an de ole woman ever put a tooth
in
After telling him there must have
been some mistake in his method OF
cookery they parted. Two days later
large, snowy owl was In preparation
for gtufhng, and Johnson happened to
be passing. The taxidermist hailed
him and, pointing to the owl lying on
the table with its skin drawn over its
head, inquired IL he did not want an
other goose. Johnson glanced suspi-
ciousIy from his benefactor to the bird
and remarked.
See heyah, boss. ef faint no trou.
bic Use nd lake to see ef dat dere am
web-footed goose fore carries him
home to de ole woman"