Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1849-06-29
Select Gale.
From Godey's Lady's Book.
Light Weight,
BY T. s. ARTHUR.


nelghbors, whose means Of accumulation was
no greater than his own, and ought to have been
satisfied and thankful. But, unfortunately. the
desires of Farmer Edmonds, like those of a
Igreat many other people, were always Iiue in
advance OF his income. Once a week. he came
regularly, to the Philadelphia market, distance
of fifteen miles with his produce; and he never
went home entirely satisfied with the amount
received for his poultry, eggs. butter, fruit or
vegetables, unless prices were at the highest
mark on the scale. The wry face of the GUS
toner who paid him thirty eight cents for a
pound Of butter, or twenty-five cents for a doz-
en- OF eggs, was pleasant, rather than a disa.
greeable object to his eyes, for, so he won, he
cared not farthing who lost.
One day, Mr. Ga well known citizen,
who had frequently bought from Edmonds, stop
ped at the sIall where the farmer exhibited his
various articles for sale, and taking hold Of a
pair Of very fne-looking chickens, inquired the
price.
'Sevenly.five,' replied the farmer.
The chickens were large, and Mr.. C. did
not think the price high
Are they young aud tenderl' he asked.
is II possible said Edmonds, smiling in pe-
culiar way, that an old marketer like you can
not tell pair of young chickens!
Now, Mr. C could buy poultry with al
most any one. 1t was not often that a tough old
gobbler or rooster was passed off upon him; but
on the present occasion, the words Of the farm
er completely dsarmed him. OF course the
chickens must be so tender that the skin would
almost break from looking at them, aud he felt
a little Piqued that he had not been able to per.
ceive this Instantly; so lifting them from the
hooks and placing them in his basket, he said,
+ guess III take Them
Seventy.fve cents were handed over and
Pocketed by the farmer without any compunc-
tions, Notwithstanding the pair of bipods sold to
Mr.. c. might have belonged to Noah's me.
nagerie, for all the teeth Of those who happened
TO be called TO eat them would be able TO tell to
the contrary.
As C walked home, he recalled the par
ucuIar expression and tone of the farmer, and
a suspicion that all was not right fitted through
his mind; but he had dealt with Edmonds for
years, and though he always found him close,
and well up to the market in prices, he had new
er detected him in seeking to gain an advantage
over customer. He wished, however; that he
had used his own judgment in making the pur-
chase, instead of buying on so equlvocaI rec
ommendatlon as that Of the farmer.
III these chickens should be tough he NUT
tered 10 himself in threatening wav, as he |
walked along, he's had the last dollar of my
monoy."
Dinner time came, and Mr.. c. went home
from his place of business. As he sat down to
the table, large, plump pair Of chickens were
before him, beautifully Drowned, and their savo-
ry odor penetrated the o'factory sense with
grateful promise of good things for the palate.
The incident of the morning had left its promi-
nont place in the memory, and no suspicion of
toughness was in the mind of Mr.. C as he
drew with an active hand, the great carving knife
aIhwart the sharpening STEEL
"A fine large pair OF chickens, said Mrs. c.
What did they cost!'
Three quarters.
THAT was not DEAR
mo; ! thought it reasonable
'lf they are only tender. Hannah said she
did mt think they were very young.
'We'll soon know all about that" remarked
Mr.. c., recollection of what had occurred
at the time of their purchase crossing his mind
at the moment Driving his fork into the breast
bone Of one of them, he held it firm while he
cut around the wing and endeavored to sever
that apPendage from the body; but the wing was
TOO firmly held in its place by sundry ligaments,
we'll developed by long use, to permit an easy
this task. Mr.. C., how
ever, had strong hand and good resolution,
ana against these, aided by sharp knife, even
The wing Of seven year old rooster could not
make defensive. The member at length came
of, but in doing so was driven oven the side of
he dish upon the table cloth.
Mr.. C. looked at the edge of his knife for
4 moment.
MY knife must be very dull said he, COR else ,
his chicken is as old as Methuselah.'
vigorous application of the blade to the
'teel followed, and then the other wing was ta-
Ken in hand. 1t came off about as easy as the
irst. The legs were dlslocated and detached Q
more quickly, and in due time, the fowl, separa- 4
ed into portions according tothe most approved 5
ues of carving, lay spread forth upon the dish;
'ut this task had not been accomplished by Mr.. !
= without considerable muscular exertion, :,
which was apparent from the beads of perspira- .
ion collected on his forehead and about his lips.
swell, that beats all!' he exclaimed as he S
aid down his knife and fork and applied his y
White handkerchief TO his face. The teeth that y
70 through that will need filing !
TRY The other said Mrs. c.; perhaps it
5 more TENDER ?
IF it isn't we shall be ban off for dinner o
eturned Mr. C, as he resumed his carver L
nd went TO work on the second bird. Alter Sc
r IL
was even tougher than the first. S
'How in the world did you come to buy such q
pair Of fowls' said Mrs. c.. you Ger. /
linly never could have tried them e
IF had, certainly never would have bought b
hem Edmonds has cheated me for once in C
is life, but he will never do it again t
Did he sell you that pair Of chickens as n
oung and tenderl' /
He did, to all inents and purposes Il
4 didn't believe that of him. h