The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-04-18
WAS NOT WEB.FO0TED
eY GEORGE TlcKELL.

Fine mornin'. NISSAN Kronk," re.
marked Samuel Johnson. the colored
porter, as he paused by the door Of
The taxidermist's shop.
Mr.. Kronk looked up and smiled q.
iably. Sans large. white teeth shone
responsive In his sable countenance.
and the sight Of the twin cleaning
rows Of ivory awoke vague specula,
eions ~ to their powers Of mastication
4 tho taxidermist's mind.
Don't b In . hurry. Sam" b sail.
esnially. "Come In for . minuts."
The colored gentleman compiled and
n. Kronk. with . wave Of his hand.
0etioned to him to cit down. On .
teach close By lay the freshly skinned
carcass Of . huge bird. upoa which
Gam gassd With appreciative interest
The taxidefmist noted the direction Of
ID glance and . beam Of bensvolence
Heightened tho Kronk features.
Are you fond Of goose for dinner.
0am?" he inquired with an or Of faith.
esiy solicitude. Mr.. JohnsonS cele
Ugated grin expanded to astonishing
uroportions.
"Dere am no bird dat beat . nice
goose. NISSAN Kronk." he responded,
npturously.
.Your reply 10 what I should have
expected from such . talented eplcureI
eam." commented the taxidermist
gravely. "Now. there d . goose" he
suntinued. pointing to the skinned
fowl. which I am unable to do Justice
70. The fact % that have been in
vited to dinner today, and tomorrow
{ must 60 out Of town early. 20 that !
cont see Just how can dispose Of
ny bird. have about made up my
mind to give It to some deserving per
son."
He paused and eyed Mr.. Johnson.
who stirred uneasily In bis chair and
Kicked his thick lips hungrily. These
symptoms Of anticipated gastronomi.
cal delight were not lost upon the tax.
idermist. and the look Of benevolence
deerened on his face.
SAM" he said, rising and placing
an affectionate hand on the colored
mans shoulder. Il believe you are
worthy of being presented with this
noble bird"
Mr.. Johnson's smile threatened to
divide his ebony countenance into two
separate and entirely distinct halves.
I Il tank you hundred million times
ef you GIBBS me dat goose, NISSAN
Kronk," he exclaimed. gratefully.
/; Then, Sam. the bird Is yours" said
the taxidermist. In due time the skin.
less carcass was wrapped up and
Johnson started of with It under his
arm, still volubly expressing bic
thanks. Mr.. Kronk stood In the door.
vay gazing after him.
"The bird Of freedom" he muir
INJURED. rs indeed a noble fowl, and
Mr.. Johnson's grinders are well adapt
ID to conquer even the stubborn desh
Of that fine specimen Of . bald-headed |
eagle" al
! About q week later the taxidermise |
net Johnson and asked how hs liked
he goose.
dat goose" exclaimed the recipient
u his bounty, shaking . dubious head:
dat goose war surely do toughest
tlrd. Clar' to goodness he mus hav
bin de fader to oil Do ganders. I billed
Dat goose, an I done parbiled him.
Aen billed him agen. But It warn.t
no use. Dat was the all chewlnest bird
me an de ole woman ever put tooth
IN"
/! After telling him there must have
been some mistake in his method OF ,
cookery they parted. Two days later
q large. snowy owl was in preparation
for stufing, and Johnson happened to
be passing. The taxidermist hailed
him and, pointing to the owl lying on
the table with its skin drawn over Ito
head, inquired II he did not want an
ether goose. Johnson glanced suspi.
eiously from his benefactor to the bird
and remarked:
"see heyah, boss. ef faint no trou'