The freeman. (Fremont [Ohio]) 1849-1850, 1850-03-16
why the Eggs didn,t Hatch.
A FOWL TRANSACTION.

In the midst of the present excitement on
the subject of poultry, the following actual
occurrence may prove instructive, We COM
mend this sketch especially to the notice OF
amateur breeders and bird fanciers.
young lawyer of our acquaintance down
east who was proverbial for his sharp prac-
tice' at the bar, once met with youthful doc
tor, who was great bird fancier, and with
whom he subsequently formed an intimate ac-
quaintance Our medical friend owned
pretty little estate, distant a few miles from the
city Of Portland, where he kept very neat es-
tabiishment, which was thoroughly appointed.
Among his outdoor appurtenances, he main
tanned a modern bee house. choice dove cot
and well selected aviary; in the latter he had
some choice poultry, and into this the Doctor
invited his legal associate one day. to examine
his specimens of cacklers and growers.
There was super-exeellent Bremen fowl
among this collections rare hen-the many
good qualities of which the doctor dilated on,
| as he always did before his visitors. and the
Ilawyer took fancy to the beauty instanter
but this fowl was great favorite, and tie doc
tor would neither sell, lend or give her away
and then the visitor begged some Of her eggs
as last favor. But the doctor was selfish
in regard to the particular bird, he wanted the
breed to himself twas of no avail, however,
and his friend promised to. embrace the first
opportunity TO steal the hen and all the eggs
he could find, if his request was not complied
with; whereupon the doctor at length reluc-
tantIy promised to send him dozen within a
week, provided he said nothing about it. He
would do it for him as particular favor-and
so he did.
The young lawyer had his poultry yard al
/ so, and selecting fine hen, he soon set her
on the choice Bremen eggs. resolved to have
as good show as his neighbor; but three
weeks passed-four and upwards-but no
chicken appeared! He broke up the nest at
last, and then called upon the doctor at once.
'tWhat luck Tom ?"
"Not chick"
"NoP'
Mot one-the eggs were not good"
"That's queer" continued the doctor
I"when I took so much pains with them"
extra pains-how ?"
"Whv, boiled every one of, 'em the las
thing l did before ! send 'em down."
i And so he did. Tom grinned, squirrnec
and went home-but that wasn't the last o
this joke.
Six months after the keen witted docto
visited the lawyers little place; where h
saw a magnificent, large Bucks county rooster
stalking about the yard.
.sBy Jove, Tom, that's a rouserf' exclaim
. ed the doctor, enthusiastically, ''pon my wore
Where did you get him ?''
"Pennsylvania- -Buxton's fine fellow, on
/, Ily eight months old"
''Will you sell him ?''
; stYes-no; I reckon not on the whole"
"I'll give you V for him.
"Well, take him. He's worth an X, br
: : YOU. shall have him for FIVE dollars, being a
: old friend.
The doctor placed the huge Grower in h
! gig Immediately, went home, killed off two
! the best Dorking roosters in the county, an
!. put the new conner into his fine poultry hou'
congratulating himself upon having at last S
4 cured tiptop breeder and nothing else.
: AT the end of the season, however he con
: planned to his friend, the lawyer, that he hs
= but very few eggs latterly, he could raise !
|, chickens from them-not one-and he didr
:. think much of the FIVE dollar bird he purcha
!. ed of him, any way"
Hes rouser, biIl-surely." said the la'
. yer with knowing smirk, repeating the do
= tors exclamation on first beholdiDg the roostt
. "Well, yes-large, large-but-"
: : "And finer capon never sold to any b
i dy in my lifel''
:. "a what ?" screamed the doctor, springil
! towards his horse, which stood near By.
: What's the price of Oiled eggs, Bill 2 roare
:, the lawyer in reply
] give dollarsa dozen, by thunderi" W
!. 1.-The answer as the doctor drove his rowels j
: to the sides of his nag, and dashed away fro
l his friends gate.