American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-02-03
from the Pittsburg Iron CIty.I
THE DEVIL IN THE MARKET HOUSE


other acquired the reputation of having an in
innate acquaintance with "the gentleman in
black, but after the performances which took
place in the Pittsburg Market on Friday and
Tuesday evenings last, we came to the conclu-
sion that the "Fdkir of Ava'' was a touch a.
head Of both the "Devil and Doctor Faustus. :"
On Friday evening, we visited the Market
to lay in, as usual, our stock OF 'provender,
as Dugald Dalgetty says, While looking a.
round at the piles of good things with which
our friends from the country delight to supply
us smoke-dried citizens, provided we have the
ready cash to pay them, our attention was eX-
cited by an unusual movement to and tIom
particular point. Expecting to pick up sub
iect for paragraph, we, as a faithful chroncler
} Of events, fastened to the spot, and inquired Of
a friend the cause Of all this commoton. He
replied that he believed 'the Devil must be in
! that box of eggs" pointing to large box
which stood close by, "tor," says he, "a gen.
tleman was Just making some inquiries as to
their soundness, when of a sudden the eggs
seemed endued with life, and commenced
CHIPPING like thousand crckets, and then, as
if veritable chickens were struggling out of
them, the eggs commenced capering and dane
ING about in the strangest manner. This has
caused the owner a fright, as well as the by
cause of the strange phenomenon"
On inquring after the person who had priced
! the eggs, stout gentleman in a cloth cloak
was pointed out, in whom we at Cnce recognis-
ed the "Genuine Fakr." There he stood,
looking as unconcerned as you please: but we
observed a Smile playing about the corners of
MS mouth, and a lock of devilment in his eye,
which told US to look out for sport We were
not mistaken. He walked up very sedately to
+, an Irish oman, the posscssor Of basket OF
\ plucked poultry, and took up large turkey,
\ Ia very old gobler, bythe-by.)
Good woman" said he, very demutely,
las am nc very great judge of poultry, tell
| me, is this a young turkey.
The woman eyed him for moment, as il to
as.ertan if he was quizzing her.
ayes, sir, it's only Yearling," she said, at
the same time, turning her head to answer an
] other customer.
'''It's very heavy" continued the Fakir;
spray what's the price ofit?"
Zone dollar" replied the lady of the poul.
try,
h '"I'm afraid it's too heavy to be young, ,
says the Fakir.
= Pom my conscience" says she, otis only
year and quarter ould. If ye're Judge
the cratur will speak for itself"
At the instant she pronounced these words
the turkey raised its head, somewhat after the
fashion of a snake, and with open mouth, said
4 or seemed to say, 'you lie, you jade; I'm five
wears old and past" TO this all the poultry
in the basket responded by all unusual cack'
ling, growing, and gobbng.
The poultry woman turned up her eyes
clasped her hands over her head, auG ejacuat
ing ''IIoly Mother" boltod up Diamond alley
as if the gentleman with the eleven foot was
after her, never stopping to look behind unit
she was fairly in Wood street.
The Fakir walked on, and stopped to make
room for countryman who was IN the act o
| cutting off caIf's head. "B-a-a," went the
| head. ooh" says the countryman, looking
over his shoulder, thinking that some one lac
been tricking him. lie was evidently surprls
! ed. At this moment the Fakir addressed hin
with; "What will you take for that veal,
| head?" "B-a-a!--B-a-a! Help! help" criet
the head. a hogs carcass hanging close by
gave one of those alto grunts, accompanied b.
| squea on G sharp, SO loud, so long, and 50
\ piercing, that we can only compare 1t to the
\ steam whistle of a locomotive. The country
\ man dropped his knife, and with ''Lord bless
h u.s." turned around and made tracks as fast al
2 his legs could carry him. H. his course he up
set a woman with basket fall OF golden pip
/ pins which, by the way, were soon hidden II
Il the pockets of some dozen urehins who Wert
| standing about in eager waiting. 10 make
amends to the poor woman for this accident
/ the Fakir purchased quarters worth of thu
l apples, and opening the first one with his knife
out dropped gold piece! Ascend apple pro
duced another gold piece-a third the same
"These are really golden pPpins, old lady,
said the FalIir; chow much for the lot!" 9
sells no MORE" replied she Of the PipPins, a
\ the same time snatching up the basket anc
making off in the wake of the call's head
\ Shortly after, the pippin lady was observed
4 busly engaged in cutting up the remainder o
her stock. Things by this time had got a LITTLE
/ quiet In about fifteen minutes we observed
the Fakir talking with one of our efficient Pc
4 lice officers, Mr.. Turner, and expecting som'
more sport, we drew near In this we wer'
4 disappointed; but as Mr.. Turner left him, W.
II observed the Fakir's eye attentively fixed on
II large cabbage. He walked up to the old Dutch
MAJ, who was attending the basket, and ad
4 =. essed him with GLOW do you sell cabbage b,
the dozen, my old friend?"
\ E"That size fifty cents, 'cause got hard hear
II this size thirty cents, cause soft heart"
II "Why do you make the diference?"
II "That good for crout and got hard heart"
II "Let me see" says the Fakir, taking up thu
H large cabbage. After examining IT very at
H tentively, lie said, ''You allow your chicken
1 TO run amongst your cabbages?"