The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1815-11-22
ADlsretianp.
HU44 Ar cHESYER.

e n core spondent arrived III this neighbor-
mood from Chester, has stated TO us tho fol-
lowing accoont OF a curious trick played off
In that town, short time ago respecta-
bic looking man caused number Of hsndbills
TO be distributed through Chester, in which
be informed the public, that great number
OF genteel families had embarked at Plymouth,
and would certainly proceed with he British
ycgiment appointed 10 accompany BoDaparte
TO 81. Helena. He added further, that the
island being dreodtully infested with rats, his
majcsty's ministers had determined that il
should be forthwith effcctually cleared of
these noxious animals. To facilitate this
important purpose, he had been dcpu,ed to
s purchase, in tho course Of a week, ss
many cats and thriving kittens as could pos
sibly be procured for money in that short
spyce Of time, and therefore, he publicly Offer
cd in his handbills, l6s. for every athletic full
grown tom-cat, los. for every adult female
puss, and haIf.n crown for every thriving, Wig
orous kitten, that could swill milk, pursue q
ball OF thread, or fasten its young fapgs in a
dying mouse. On the evening of the third
day alter his advertisement had been distrib-
uted, the people of Chester were astonished
with sn rruplion of a multitude OF old women.
boys, and girls, into their streets, every one of
whom carried 90 their shoulders either a bag
or sack, which appeared pregnant with some
restless animal, that seemed laboring into
birth. Every road-every lane was tbrooged
with this comical proc ssioD-and the won
dering spectators Of the scene we're invoiun-
tariiy compelled TO rcmember the old riddle
about ST. Ives
GAS J was going to St. Ives,
me, ffy old wives,
Every wife had fifty sacks,
Every sack had fifty kittens.
Kittens, cats, sacks and wives,
49, How many were going to St. Ives :"
Before night.taii,a congregation Of nearly
5000 cats We're collected in Chester. The
happy pybearcrs OF these sweet voiced creatures,
proceeded ali Gas directed by the advertise
ment,} towards one street with their delccta.
bic burdens. Here they became closely wedg.
ed together. "A vocal concert soon cnsucd
: The women screamcd--the cats squalled--
the boys and girls shriekcd treble, and the
dogs OF the street bowled bass, so that 1t soon
became difficult for the incest car to a.cer.
tain whether caninc--feline---ort tho human
tones weCe predominant. Some OF the cat.
bearing ladies, WHOSE dispositions were not OF
the most placid nature, finding themselves
annoyed by the pressure of their ncighbors,
soon cast down their burdens, and began TO
box. A battle royal ensued. The cats souo.
ded the war-hoop with. might and main
Meanwhile the boys Of the town, who seemed
nightly 10 relsh the sport were actively ON.
ployed in opening the mouths of The deserted
sacks, and lberatiDg the cats from their for
lorn situation.
The cnragcd animals bounded imme edia,ely
s0the shoulders and heads OF the combatapts,
and ran sp'ttiug, squsliog and clawing along
the undula,ing sea Of skulls, towards the walls
Of the houses OF the good people Of Chester.
The ei,i7 ms attracted BY the noise, had open.
cd their windows to gaze at the fun. Into
those windoys the cats sios,an.aueously sprang,
ssting possession Of the rooms by a novel