Uncle Dick and Lisa's Old Time Animal Tales

From the Omaha Republican.
Over two thousand people gathered on the banks above the pond, and along the lower end of Farnham street, on yesterday afternoon, to witness Bob Hart and Sully in their great wash-tub-goose feat. Promptly at the advertised time, Hart made his appearance, followed by his competitor for the golden peanut offered by Col. Hanford. Each sat in an ordinary washtub, to which was attached six pairs of geese, driven and guided with an ordinary carriage whip. The most deafening applause, shouts and yells greeted the contestants as they were towed into the pond. Striking the Farnham street bank, both started side by side, talking to and urging on the feathered racers the same as a jockey would do in a trial of speed, amongst fast horses.
Half way across the pond Sully’s team switched off and bolted for the weeds, giving Bob the lead by three and a half lengths. Recovering his course, Sully made splendid headway, gaining rapidly on the Hart outfit. One of his geese, however, attempting to dive, kicked a rear goose in the eye. The kicked bird at once cackled his defiance, and soon demoralized the entire team to such an extent that victory was impossible.
Hart would have come in “O. K.” only for his “wheel geese” baulking badly and upsetting the tub. Sully began laughing at his opponent’s disaster, when his team made a sudden flank movement, which left the driver floundering in the mud. The assembled multitude yelled the louder at the accidents. Righting their crafts, both parties made for shore, leading their teams.
Bob took the prize.