19 APRIL 1930, Page 16

THE FARMER'S GOOSE.

His M: bathed this Morning & walked afterwards on the Esplanade. I saw here a very remarkable Goose. Remark- able for its fancies, & not for its appearance, for it was one of our common geese. This Goose has taken a 'great fancy for its owner, a Farmer who lives near Wyke at a small distance from Weymouth. It is now abt. five years old & was one of a large Blood. This Goose follows its Owner (Mr. Bartlett) as well as a Dog, tho' its nature does not permit it to be so good or so quick a Traveller. However if the pace is too quick, rather than be left behind, it will run & fly after Him. It follows Him from His Farm into Weymouth frequently. I saw it at His heels waiting in the Middle of a crowd of people who were talking together on the Esplanade. When the Farmer walked away the goose followed Him, as regularly as could he. When -He stopped the goose stopped, waited patiently, & play'd with the skirts of His Coat. If a stranger offeed to strike Him the Goose would fly at Him & defend His Master. He has been known, when He has miss'd His Master in Weymouth, to fly over the Houses & return to His Farm. I never saw such an instance of affection before. It may be fancy but it is a fancy so deeply rooted that it can never cease but with life.

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