Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1841-01-22


tery-cane him within an inch of his life. -
A REAL GAME COCK OF THE
WILDERNESS.
Conscience, says Shakespear, makes
towards of us all, and conceits, say we
make fools of US all. A live Hoosier, who
was returning from one of the fancy balls
on Saturday night last, while on his way
home to his flat boat, cut up such extraor>
binary shines and antics that the watch>
man thought him every way entitled to an
introduction to our worthy Recorder. Two
or three nights previous he had seen Dan
Marble in the "Game Cock ofthe Wilder
ness and the thing pleased him SO well
that he rugged himself out on Saturday
evening as much like the game chicken as
possible. and went to the ball. While
there he gave occasionally crow and took
occasionally drink until at length he
found himself somewhat loaded down by
the head although elevated in spirits, and
perfectly ripe for any thing.
The putting out Of the lights at some 2
o'clock in the morning was the signal for
our hero 10 put out for home. He felt so
we'll, 10 use his own words, ''lhat he could
mt hold himself STILL" and so wide awake
that at every corner he came to he would
flap his arms violently and crow SO much
like chicken that every rooster in the
neighborhood thinking it the signal for day
break joined in the chorus. CHAPMAN him.
self, in his happiest efforts, never could
excel this second Samson Hardhead.
He had just given a specimen Of his skill
III Growing at the corner of Poydras and
Tchoupitoulas streets, when a Waterman
came up and told him he must make less
noise.
"Noise Ool,-a-ooh- Do you call
that noise p said the fellow, giving an
other sample Of his abilities at growing.
"Noise, yes-you must shut up. WHO
are you. any how -
Pm the second Game Cock of the
Wilderness-look out for my gaffs, at the
same time jumping sideways At the watch
man. hitting him with his right foot and
elbow, and sending him stumbling into the
street.
"You're hard chicken at all events"
said the Charley, recovering himself and
walking up to this new species Of custom
er second time. "Blow me if can get
the hang Of you"
"You will soon-Ooh. a-ooh- a-oooh !"'
returned the droll customer, hopping up
and giving the watchman another i" side
windcY," az the latter called ii in court.
This was too much, and the Charley ac>
cordingly calledin one Of his bretheren and
soon had the game cock safely under lock
and key. He crowed several times on his
way TO the watchhouse and once or twice
tried to hop up and knock over the Char.
lies upon the same principle regular game
chicken goes to work at his adversary, but
they soon understood his tricks and took
measures to keep out of reach. On being
pushed into the dark room he broke out
with
Well, this is pretty place l don't
think. It's as dark as box Of blackin'.
Let me out or I'll butt the door down. l
wish had my big lamp here to light up
with. It's a perfect prairie on fire. sot
cut, once, the darkest night that ever come
over, and all creation riz thinkin' i. was
day>light. Let me out. I'm liberty pole
and can't bear confinement" In this way
he went on, using, part Of the time, ideas
he reccollected from the play and filling
up the rest with original specimens Of his
own.
In the morning, on being brought before
the Recorder, he said his old name was
Bill Bloom. but that he had taken that OF
Samson Hardhead, Jr., because it pleased
him better.
Well Samson" said his honor, "what
do you follow %
"Crowing. principally" retorted Hard
head. ''l've taken up the business lately"
You was fighting with a Waterman
last night" said the Recorder.
Fighting You don't call that fighting,
do you ! was only practising on new
principle. If you should see me sure
enough fighting onc't you'd think war had
broke out in earnest. Fighting why if
I'd been really fighting with that chap I'd
have jumped clean down his throat and
stopped his digestion for . fortnight"