The Ordway new era., 1913-09-19
WAS NOT WEB-FOOTED
BY GEORGE TicKELL.

Fine mornfn', NISSAN Kronk, re-
marked Samuel Johnson, the colored
porter, as he paused by the door Of
the taxidermists shop.
Mr.. Kronk looked up and smiled af-
fably. Sans large, white teeth shcne
responsive in his sable countenance.
and the sight of the twin cleaning
rows of ivory awoke vague specula-
tions as to their powers of mastication
In the taxidermist's mind.
Don't be in hurry, SAM" ne said.
geniaIly Come in for a minute"
The colored gentleman complied and
Mr. Kronk, with wave of his hand.
motioned to him to sit down. On a
bench close by lay the freshly skinned
carcass of huge bird, upon which
The taxidermist noted the direction Of
his glance and a beam of benevolence
frightened the Kronk features.
Are you fond of goose for dinner.
Sam?" he inquired with an air of faith
erly solicitude. Mr.. Johnson's cele.
brated grin expanded to astonishing
proportions.
"Dere am no bird dat beat a nice
goose, NISSAN Kronk," he responded,
rapturously.
Your reply is what I should have
expected from such a talented epicure.
SAM" commented the taXidermist,
gravely.. Now. there is a 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 bow l can dispose of
my bird. l have about made up my
mind to give 1t to some deserving per.
son."
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 affectionate hand on the colored
mans shoulder, 81 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.
II tank you a hundred million times
Of you gibs me dat goose. Missab
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 off with 1t under his
arm. still volubly expressing his
thanks. Mr.. Kronk stood in the door.
way gazing after him.
"The bird Of freedom" he muir.
INJURED, "is indeed noble fowl, and
Mr.. Johnson's grinders are we'll adapt.
ed to conquer even the stubborn flesh
Of that fine specimen OF a bald.headed
eagle"
About a week later the taxidermist
met Johnson and asked how he liked
the goose.
Dat goose" exclaimed the recipient
Of his bounty, shaking a dubious head;
dat goose war surely de toughest
bird. Clar' to goodness he mus hav'
bin de fader to all de ganders. l billed
dat goose, an I done parbiled him.
den I billed him agen. But 1t warnt
no use. Dat was the all chewinest 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
a large, snowy owl was in preparation
for stuffing, 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 II he did not want an.
| other goose. Johnson glanced suspi.
ciously from his benefactor to the bird
and remarked:
"See heyah. boss. ef faint no trou.
BILE Use 'ud lake to see ef dat dere am
a web-footed goose fore I carries him
home to de ole woman"