The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1845-04-18
The GyusCutus.

The Gyuscmius.
AS this formidable animal is undoubl-
edly loose and as there is no knowing
the amount Of mischief he may occasion
while roaming a. large and disturbing the
cogita,ions of those quiet people who
know nothing about hm-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 a couple of Yam
KEGS, travelling south, ran short Of funds,
and resolved themselves into committee
of ways and means for the purpose of ef-
fecling raise They determined to
take advantage of the passion for shows,
which possessed our people in those days,
when the elephant, and rhinoccros, and
lions, and monkeys were being exhibited
all over the country. One Of these wor-
thy couple, it was agreed between them,
was to personate a rare beast, for which
they invented The name Of 'Gyascuius :
while the other was TO be keeper or show
man-,o exhibit the said Gyasculus TO
the curious spectators, stir him with a
stick, throw him his food, discourse of
his history, capture, qualities, &c.
Accordingly, the advertisement was
made at the next village, to the effect tina,
rare and interesting specimen of ANNA.
ted nature, called the Gyascutus. would
that nigh: be exhibited to the enlightened
and generous public of that town and vi
entity. This animal, it was set forth,
was captured on the disputed territory,
where his species was found, rowing in
the wilds of the Aroostook, on the banks
of the Penobscot, and over the circumja-
cent hills of the Passamaquoddy, more
lerociOus and terrible than the gnu, the
hyena, or ani.eater of the African desert !!
Abundance 25 cents, children and serv-
ants half PAIGE
Curiosity was on tiptoe. Everybody
crowded the door al the appointed time,
where Jonathan the Shocman gravely
received their quarters and dimes, and po-
liely bowed them in. Across corner of
the room was stretched a stout curtain,
behind which was stationed Jonathan
the Gyascuius. The curtain did moi,
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 fances would have
borne wonderful similitude TO the feet,
and hands Of live yankee, with strips of
coonskn sewed round his wrists ond an
kles With palplta.ing hearts they saw
those big feet move and flap about, as the
monster shoak his chain anil mutlcred his
disconlen. in unear.hly growls.
The designated moment for opening
the exhibition having arrived, and Jona-
than having slowed goodly amount Of
the shining spoil in the big pockets of his
pepper-and-salt coat, he stepped delibe-
rat,ly up to the curtain, for the purpose OF
commencing the performance.
Ladies and gentlemen said he, 'ihe
Gyasculus is not only remarkable for the
singalari,y and ferocily Of his appearance,
but for the terrible tones of his voice.
Before raising the curtain, I will proceed
TO stir him little with this hero stick,
just 10 let you have a specimen Of the mu'
sic with which he makes his native wild:
resound, when angry, or about 10 seize
and run of with his unsuspecling prey.
lie accordingly disappeared-lhe stick
was piled upon the Gyascutus-the beast
gave few premonitory grunls, but wax,
ing in wrath, he began TO rattle his chain
like mad, and roar aud growl in The mos,
hideous sort, TO the unspeakably delight
full horror Of all present. Expectation,
mixed with portion OF apprehension. was
wrought up 10 the highest pitch. When
just at this Juncture. Jonathan loaped on
with a bound-his eyes starting with feal
his limbs trembling in every joint
terror in all his looks--exclaiming, La.
dies aud genllemen--saue yo,trSeires-tht
Gyascutus is loose"
Pell nell, hurry burly, fainlng, scream
ing, lcaping, crowding, the spectators