The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1845-11-11
THE GYASTUCUS.

| As this formidable animal is undoubtedly
loose, and there in no knowing the amount
o. mischief he may occasion while roaming
at large and disturbing the cogtatiou of those
quiet people who know nothing about him
a statement of the particulars respecting bis
origin and remark able escape will no doubt be
thankfully received by an anxious public
The story goes, that.
A couple of Yankees travelling south ran
short of funds. and resolved themselves into
a committee Of ways and means for the pur-
pose of making a raise They determined
to take advantage of the passion for shows
which possessed our people in those days.
whes the elephant and the rhnoceros and
lions and monkeys were being exhibited all
over the country. One of this worthy couple.
it was agreed between them. was TO personate
a rare beast, for which they invented the
name Gvastucus, while the other was TO be
the keeper or 'showman'-to exhibit the said
Gyastucus TO the curious spectators, stir him
up with stick, throw him his feed, discourse
on his history, capture, qualities, &c.
Accordingly an advertisement was made at
the next village TO the effect that rare and
interesting specimen of animated nature cal
led the Gyas,ucus, would that night be ex-
hibited 10 the enlightened and generous pub
lie of that town and vicinity. This animal it
was set forth, w5s captured on the Disputed
Territory, where his species were found roam
ing in the wilds of the Aroostook, on the
banks of the Penobscot. and the circumjaceni
hills Of the Passamaquody-more ferocious
and terrible than the Gnu, the Hyena, or the
Ant-eater of the African desert Admit
lance % cents, children and servants half
price.
Curiosity was on tiptoe. Every body
crowded the door the appointed hour. jon
atban the Snowman gravely received teeir
quarters and their dimes and bowed them in.
Across the corner of the room stretched a
stout curtain, behind which was stationed
Jonathan the Gyastucus. The curtain did
not quite reach the flour, and beneath it the
curiosity Of the spectators was tempted by
partial view of four horrible feet, which no
less excited fancies would have borne a won
deriul smilitude to the feet ard hands of
live Iankee, with strips Of coon skin sewed
around his wrist and ankles with palpila-
ting hearts they saw these feet move and flap
about, as the monster shook his chain and
uttered his Disseminated and uneartbly erowls.
The designated moment for opening the
exhibition having arrived, aud Jonathan hav-
ing slowed a goodly amount of the shining
spoils in the big pockets Of his pepper and
salt coat, he stepped deliberately up 10 the
curtain for the purpose of commencing the
performance.
Ladies and gentleman said he, the Gy-
astucus is not only remarkable for the sin
sularliy and ferocity Of his appearance. but
the terrible tones Of his voice. Before raising
the curtain will proceed to stir him up little
with this here stick, just to let you have
specimen of the music with which he makes
his native wilds resound when angry, or a.
bout to seize and run Off with his unsuspect-
ing prey lie accordingly disappeared-ihe
stick was piled upon the Gyastucus, the beast
gave few premonitory gruntS, but waxing
in wrath, began TO rattle his chain like mad,
and roar and growl in the most hideous man
ner of the pnspeakahy delightful horror of
all present. Expectation, mixed with a por-
ton of apprehension, was wrought up to the |
highest pitch, when just at this juncture |
Jonatbau leaped ont with bound, his ewes |
starting with fear, his limbs trembling in |
his every loint-rerror in all his look, ex-
claiming. Ladies and gentleman-save your
selves the Gyastucus is loosei
Pell, nell, hurry, burly, fanting. scream
ng, leapng. crowding-terrified spectators
rolled out; while Jonathan and the Gyastu
JUS retired by the back way, with all reason
,ble expedition, aud now, for ought we know,
ire enjoying the rewards of their adventure
imong the circumj accent hills Of Passama-
luoddy.