The Detroit times., 1914-08-28
Governor Attacks Anything
That Ventures Into Yard
of Masters House
HIS GROWING AROUSES
HOUSEHOLD IN MORNING
He Will Tackle a Party of Men
as Rapidly as a Stray Dog
or Other Animal

l"scrappiest" rooster In Southern Cali
ifornia is a watchdog. guardian OF
Aloha. the Malibu Mountain home OF
Jack u. Henry. above Santa Monica.
He is a red bird named Governor. and
besides being the protector OF home
and "A small black hen he Is a COM
bination of bodyguard and alarm clock.
At all hours Of the day and night
the sentinel Is on guard, and from
his roost In the grape arbor at once
responds to the coyotes howl with
q wholesome cock-a-doodle-doo, and
gives warning at the approach OF any
thing on foot, wing or wheel. Mr..
Henry Is an early riser, but governor
Is earlier.
Regularly at about 4 o'clock he
the rooster. not Jack-begins Growing
and keeps II up until he hears some
one moving inside the house. This
Rhode Island red bird was presented
to Mr.. Henry to be converted into
fricassee, but he concluded to spare
his life. for which the rooster seems
to be grateful, as he has adopted his
master as his pal and admiringly fol-
lows him about like an obedient dog,
never attacking him, although he
eagerly Graves set-to with Mr.. Hen
rvs red bandanna handkerchief. After
the bout he struts around and crows
rather enthusiastically.
A stranger OF whose presence Gov
ernor dfsapproves-and that includes
all bipeds--is at once attacked and
driven away upon entering the gate,
unless he carries club or takes
refuge In the house and bars the
doors and windows. Woe oyertakes
any stray dog or other domestic anil
NAL that loiters In the vicinity. Hen
rvs nearest neighbor now makes Q
wide detour and climbs over q high
mountain range to reach his place.
rather than following the well-beaten
trail through Governors domain.
Mr.. Henry's place Is restful
retreat and rendezvous of his
friends. one Of whom at dusk a few
days ago opened the gate and mean
dered dreamily toward the spacious
veranda. There was screech! AL
fash Of something! A terrific clawing
on the back! The friend rushed pell
nell to the open door, where stood
Mr.. Henry, all smiles. and in response
TO breathless questions replied. "Oh.
just the Governor"
Every Junetime some timid, blush
Ing bride and her hero secretly 90 to
pass q very quiet honeymoon at this
secluded spot, where the usual dis
turbances consist of such raucous
noises as murmuring waters, melodi-
ours songsters and cooling doves.
Somehow, not long ago, an interest
ing session was interrupted In the
grape arbor, and when Mr.. Henry re-
turned he found a frightened couple
perched high up on the trellis, fran
tically endeavoring to shoe the dough-
ty Governor away.
However. every rooster has his day,
and thus II happened that brave and
battling Governor had most humil-
iating experience--the result OF q wo-
mans undue admiration OF his PROV
ess.
A visitor at the ranch whose night
duties caused him TO seek slumber in
coast is frequently patrolled by gov
eminent officers on the lookout for
smugglers) was awakened by some
one trying to break into the Mouse.
Following the burglar alarm he heard
the chatter OF women's voices. Two
men and two women stood close to
the uncovered window and q snap
shot was quickly taken OF the quartet
without their knowledge or consent.
Now Governor realized that some
thing was wrong and made one Of his
famous flashes after the retreating
party. With two slashes he deity
altered the style OF hobble into Q
slit skirt and was proceeding to de-
molish about every living thing In
sight, according TO his custom, when
by flank movement blanket was
thrown over him and he was abducted
from his happy home.
When Mr.. Henry returned to his
ranch that evening he called q greet
Ing to Governor. but no lusty crow of
recognition welcomed him, and a
search failed to disclose the rooster.
Considerably perturbed over his pets
disappearance. he formed some con-
clusicns and developed the film, which
was closely scrutinized. After sleep
less night Mr.. Henry jumped into an
automobile at daylight and dashing
into Santa Monica followed certain
clues Zone being that black team
had been driven into his canyon) to
Venice and back.
Within two hours he faced the hus-
oanu OF the female chicken fancfer.
at his place OF business. Crestfallen |
at the detection of the theft, the man
brought the rooster from his residence |
and returned II to the owner. He laid |
II to the woman. Needless to say, a
very MUCH worried man offered to /
make amends In any manner to- be sug.
gested.
That's how II happens that Govern
or is again on guard at the Henry
mountain ranch, eager to greet any
stranger with few slashes from his |
spurs or sarcastically to mock the
proving coyote on his nocturnal tray.
els. The little black hen has also |
overcome her spell OF fright and lone. |
someness a
"COLLIER'S" PUBLISHER