GEESE. 339 



A farmer in Cheshire possessed a flock of Geese, one of 

 which, at the end of about three years, without any apparent 

 cause, began to show a peculiar partiality for its master. It 

 first appeared on the bird's quitting its companions in the 

 barnyard or pond, and stalking after him. These symptoms 

 became daily stronger, and in a short time, wherever the farmer 

 went, whether to the mill or the blacksmith's shop, or through 

 the bustling streets of a neighbouring manufacturing town, the 

 Goose was at his heels. So perseveringly did it follow his steps, 

 that if be wished to go out alone, lie was under the necessity 

 of fastening up the bird. 



The farmer was in the habit of holding his own plough, and, 

 on these occasions, the Goose as regularly passed the day in the 

 ploughing field, walking sedately, not with the usual waddling 

 pace of its fellow Geese, but with a firm step, head elevated, 

 and neck erect, a short way before him, in the line of the fur- 

 rows, frequently turning round and fixing its eyes intently upon 

 him. When the length of one furrow was accomplished and 

 the plough turned, the Goose, without losing its step, adroitly 

 wheeled about, and thus continued its attendance till the even- 

 ing, and then followed its master home ; and if permitted, 

 would mount upon his lap as he sat by the fire after dark, 

 showing the strongest signs of affection, and nestling his head 

 in his bosom, or preening the hair of his head with its beak as 

 it was wont to do its own feathers. Sometimes the farmer 

 would go out shooting, and no sooner had he shouldered his 

 gun, than his companion was at its post, following him as 

 before, in spite of every obstacle ; — " getting over," to use the 

 man's own words, " the fences as well as I could myself." All 

 this, it should be observed, continued, not only without any 

 encouragement on the part of the farmer, but even in spite of 

 every discouragement on his part. How long it would have 

 continued, or to what extent, we lament to add, he effectually 

 precluded the world from knowing ; for, with an unpardonable 

 inattention to so truly a wonderful case, in addition to equally 

 unpardonable superstitious fear, he took it into his head that 

 this mysterious affection of the poor Goose foreboded some evil ; 

 and in a moment of alarm he killed the faithful bird. 



