Wisconsin herald, and Grant County advertiser. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1844-1845, 1845-05-03


THE GYAscUTus!-As this fornida-
BILE animal is undoubtedly loose,' and
as there is no knowing the amount OF
mischief he may occasion while roam
ing at large and disturbing the cogita-
tons of those quiet people who know
nothing about him-a statement OF the
particulars concerning his origin and
remarkable escape will no doubt, be
thankfully received by an anxious
public.
The story goes, that couple of live
Yankees travelling south ran short OF
funds, and resolved themselves into a
committee of ways and means for the
purpose of c6ecting raise They
determined to take advantage Of the
passion for shows, which possessed our
people in those days, when the elc-
plant, rhinoceros, and lions and mon
keys, were being exhibited ali over the
country. One Of these worthy couple,
it was agreed betwe them, was to
pcrsonate rare beast, for which they
invented the name OF Gyascutus; while
the other was to be keeper or show
man'-to- exhibit the said Gyascutus
to the curious spectators, stir him up
with STICK, throw him his feed, dis
course of his history, capture, quail
ties, &c.
Accordingly the advertisement, was
made at the next village, to the effect
that rare and interesting spccimin Of
ANIMATED nature, called the Gyascu-
tus, would that night be exhibited to the
enlightened and generous public Of that
town and vicinity. This animal, it was
set forth, was captured on the Disput-
ed Territory, where his species are
found, rowing in the wilds of the Aros-
took, on the banks Of the Penobscot,
and over the circumjacent hills of the
Observation-Disclosures ferocious and
terrible than the Gnu, the Hyena, or
the Ant Eater, of the African desert !!
Admittancc IS cents, children and SER
wants half price,
Curiosity was on tiptoe. Every body
crowded the door at the appointed time,
where Jonath0n the ShoWman grave
ly received their quarters and dimes
and politely bowed them in. Across
the corner OF the room was stretched a
stout curtain, behind which was sta
toned Jonathan The Gyascutus. The
curtain did not quite reach the ground,
and beneath it the curiosity Of the
spectators was tempted, by partial
view of four horrible feet which to less
excited fancies would have borne a
wonderful similitudc to the feet and
hands of live Yankee, with stripes Of
coonskins served around his wrists and
ankles! With palpitating hearts they
saw those big feet move and flap about
as the monster shook his chain and nut
tered his discomfort in ithly growls.
The designated moment for opening
the exhibition having arrived, and
Jonathan having slowed goodly a
mount of the shining spoil in the big
pockets of his pepper and salt coat, he
stepped deliberately up to the curtain
for the purpose of commencing the
performances.
Ladies and gentlemen said he, '.he
Gyascutus is not only remarkable for
the singularity Of ferocity Of his APP
pearance but for 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
a specimen of the music with which he
makes his native wilds resound when
angry, or about TO seize and run oil
with his unsuspecting prey He accor-
dinghy disappcared-tisc ssick was ap.
piled TO The Gyascutus-thc beast gavS
few prcmonitory grunts. but waxing
in wrath, he began TO rattle his chain
like mad, and roar and growl in the
most hidcous sort, TO the unspeakably
delightful horror of all present. Ex-
pectation, mixed with n portion of APP
prchcnsion,was wrought up to Ihc high
est pitch. When at this iunctnrc, jon
athan leaped out with bound-his
eyes starting with fear-his limbs trcm-
bling in every joint-terror in all his
looks-exclaiming, Ladies and gen.
tlemen-Sdre yourselves the Gy-
GScuius is loose :"
Pell mell-hurly burly, fainting
screaming, leaping, crowding-thc ter
rihed spectators rolled out; while Jon
athan and the Gyascutus retired the