Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 59, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 March 1915 — ROOSTER GUARDS HOME LIKE DOG [ARTICLE]

ROOSTER GUARDS HOME LIKE DOG

Bird Attack® Stranger By BUI and Spur if Trouble Starts Los Angeles.—A “scrappy" rooster is a watchdog, guardian of Aloha, the Malibu mountain home of Jack U. Henry, above Santa Monica. He is a red bird named “Governor." Besides being the protector of the home and a small black hen he is a combination of bodyguafd and alarm clock. At ail hours of the day and night the sentinel la on guard, and from hl® roost In the grape arbor at once responds to the coyotes’ howl with a wholesome cock-a-doodle-doo, and gives warning of the approach of anything on foot, wing or wheel. Mr. Henry 1® an early riser, but Governor 1® earlier. Regularly at about 4 o’clock he begins crowing, and keeps it up until he hears someone moving inside the house. The 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 follows him about like an obedient dog, never attacking him, although he eagerly craves a setto with Mr. Henry’s red bandanna handkerchief. After the bout he struts about and crows rather bombastically. A stranger of whose presence Governor disapproves —and that includes all bipeds—is at once attacked and driven away upon entering the gate unless he carries a dub or takes refuge in the house and bars the doors and windows. Woe overtake any stray dog or other domestic animal that loiters In the vicinity. Henry's nearest neighbor now makes a wide detour and climbs over a high mountain range to reach his place, rather than following the well beaten trail through Governor's domain. Mr. Henry's place Is a restful retreat and a rendezvous of his friends, one of whom at dusk a few days ago opened the gate, and meandered dreamily toward the spacious veranda. There was a screech! A flash of something! A terrible clawing on the back! The friend rushed pellmell to the open door, where stood Mr. Henry, all smiles and in response to breathless questions replied: “Oh, just the Governor." Every June time some timid, blushing bride and her hero secretly go to pass a quiet afternoon at this secluded spot, where the usual disturbances consist of such raucous noises as murmuring waters, melodious songsters and cooing doves. Somehow, not long ago, an Interesting session was interrupted in the grape arbor, and when Mr. Henry returned he found a frightened couple perched high up on the trellis, frantically endeavoring to shoo the doughty Governor away.