Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1852-09-15
R u & o r. Q U S
SELLING CHICKENS TO THE LEGISLATURE.

SELLING CHICKENS TO THE LEGISLATURES.
While the Legislature Of Missouri was in
session, a few years ago, a green fellow from
the country came to Jefferson to sell some
chickens. He had about two dozen, all of
which he had tied by the legs to a string,
and this, being divided equally, and thrown
across his horse, or his shoulder, formed his
mode of conveyance, leaving the fowls with
their heads hanging down, with little else Of
them visible except their naked legs, and a
promiscuous pile Of outstretcbed wings and
-Nrrer~se1eTaT IueupCJuaI eIUrUS W uTsPUse
of his load, a wag, to whom he made an
offer of sale, told him that he did not want
the chickens himself, but that perhaps he
could sell them at that large stone house
over there, [the capitol) that there was a
man over there buying, on speculation, for
the st. Louis market, and that no doubt
he could meet with a ready sale.
The delighted countryman started, when
his informer stopped him.
Look here says he, when you get over
there, 90 up s~tairs, and then turn to the left.
The man stops in that large room. You will
find him engaged, with a number of fellows,
buying chickens. If a man at the dool
should stop you, Cont mind him, but &C
right abead.'
Following the directions, our friend sooE
found himself at the door Of the House o
Representatives. To open it and enter wa
but the work Of a moment. Taking from
his shoulder the string Of chickens. and DIV
my tnem a snake, TO freshen them, he com
menced his journey towards the speaker
chair, the fowls in the meantime, loudly ex
pressing, from the half formed crow to tn
harsh qaaark, their bodily presence, an,
their sense of bodily pain.
I say, sir,'- Here he had advance,
about half down the aisle, when he was SCI
zed by Major Jackson, the d~oorkeeper, VIII
happened to be returning from the clerk
desk.
What the devil are you doing here wit
these echickens; get out, sir, get out whispe
ed the doorkeepcr.
No you don't, though, you can't com
that game over me. You've got chicken
yourself for sale, get out yourself, and let n
sell mine. | say, sir, Gin a louder tone
the Speaker) are you buying chickens hel
to dayl I've got some prime ones here
And he held up his string and shook h
fowls until their music made the walls ech
Let me go, sir, Ito the doorkeeper) Il
me 90, / say. Fine large chickens Ito tt
Speaker only six bits a DOZEN
Where's the Sergeant at-arms,' roared Il
Speaker-'take that man out
Now don't, will you, | amt hard to traC
with. You let me go Ito the doorkeeper
you've sold yoNr chickens, now let me ha,
n chance. l say, sir, (to the Speaker in
louder tone) are you buying chickens to-
Go ahead Athim again! That's rigl
, whispered some of the opposition membe
who could command gravity enough to spe
-'at him again! He'll buy them. He on
wants you to take less-at him again.
4 say, sir, lin a louder tone to the Spea
err cuss your pictures, let rue go-fair play
two to one amt fair Ito the Speaker and S
geant at arms,) let me go; / say, sir, you
there Ito the Speaker,) you can have Z
for six bits! won't take a cent less. Take I
home and eat 'em myself before I'll ia
Drat your hides, don't shoyeso hard, "
you ! you'll hurt them chickens, and they ha
had atravel Of it to-day, anyhow. Isay Y
sir, up there
Here the voice was lost by the closing
the door. An adjournment was moved, a
carried, and the members almost frantic vi
mirth, rushed out to find our friend in hi
alteration with the doorkeeper about
means Of selling his own chickens and lett
nobody else sell theirs, adding that If
could Just see that man out there by hims