Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1845-02-17
THE GYASCuTI1S

As this formidable animal is undoubtedly
''loose," and as there is no knowing tho
amount OF mischief he may occasion while
roaming nj large and disturbing The cogi,a
ton Of those quiet people who know moth
ing CT him-a statement of the particulars
concerning his origin and rema kable es-
cape, will no doubt be thankfully received
by an anxious public.
The story goes. that a couple Of Yam
KEGS travelling south ran short Of funds,
and resolved themselves into committee
ways and means for the purpose Of ef-
feeling a raise" They determined to
take advantage Of this passion for shows
which possessed our people in those days,
when the elephant, and rhinoceros, and
lions and monkeys, were being exhibited
all over the country. One of these wor
thy couple, It was agreed between them,
was 10 personate rare beast, FOR which
they invented the hume Of Gyascutus /;
while the other was 10 be keeper or show
maa'-to exhibit the said Gyascu,us TO the
curious spectators, stir him up with stick,
throw him his feed, discourse on history,
capture, qualities, &c.
at the next village, that rare and in,srss-
ting specimen Of animated nature, called
the Gya.cutus, would that nigh, be exhibi-
ted TO The enlightened and generous public
Of that town and vicinity. The animal, i.
was set forth, "was captured upon the dis
puted Territory, where his species was
found rowing in the wilds Of the Aroostook,
on The banks Of the Penebscof, and over
the circumiacen, hills Of The Passamaquod-
dy--more ferocious and terrible than the
Gnu. the Hyena, or the An. Eater Of tho
African Desert !-Admiltance 25 cents
children and servants half price,"
Curiosity was on tip-toe. Every body
crowded the door at the appointed time,
where Jonathan the shouman gravely re-
ceived their quarters and dimes and politely
bowed them in. Across one corner Of the
room was stretched stout curtain, behind
which was stationed Jonathan the Gyascu-
tbs. The curtain did net quito reach tho
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 wonde rful ST.
Multitude 20 the feet and hands Of live
Yankee. with strips Of coon skin sewed
around his wrists and ankles! With palp-
ta,ng hearts they saw those big feet move
and flap about as The monster shook his
chain and muitered his discomfort in un-
earthly growls. ,eaa
"Lades and Gentlemen" said he, 'the
Gyascutus is no, only remarkable for the
singulari;y and fcreciiy Of its appearance,
but for the terrible tones Of his voice
Before raising the curtain | will proceed
10 stir him up little with this here stick,
just to let you have u specimen Of the mu-
sic with which he makes his native woods
resound when angry, or about TO seize and
run away with his unsuspecting prey
He accordingly disappeared-lhe stick was
applied upon the Gynscu,us-the beas,
gave few premonitary grunts, but waxing
in ~roth, he began to rattle his chain like
mad ard roar and grow in tho most hide
Gus manner. 10 the unspeakably delightful
horror of all present. Expectation mixed
with portion of apprehension, was at its
highest pich.-When just at this junciure
Jonathan leaped out with bound-his eyes
starting with lear-his limbs trembling in
every joint-,error in all his looks-ex-
claiming, "Ladies and Genllemen-savs
yourselves!-the Gyascu,us is Ioose!"
Pcll nell, hurry burly, fain,ing. scream
ing, lenping, crowding, the terrified spec
talors rolled ont while Jonathan and the
Gyascuius retired the back way, with an
reasonable exped ton, and are now, for
aught we know, enjoying the rewards Of
their adventure among the circumjacsn,
hills Of Passamquoddy.