Southern reveille. (Port Gibson, Miss.) 1851-185?, 1852-09-01
Selling Chickens to the Legisla-

While the Legislature Of Missouri was in
session, a few years ago, green fellow from
the country came to Jefferson 10 sell some
chickens. He had about two dozen. all Of
which be had tied by the legs to q 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 promiscuous
pile Of out stretched wings and rufaed feath-
ers. After several Intellectual efforts to dis
pose Of his load; wag to whom he had made
an offer Of sale, told him that he did not want
chickens himself, but perhaps be could sell
them at a large stone house over there tthe
Capitol,) that .here was man over there buy
ing for the St. Louis market, and no doubt he
could dnd a ready sale.
The delighted countryman started, when his
informer stopped him.
Look here" sayshe, when you get over
there, go up stairs and then turn to the left.
The man who stops in that large room. You
win find him sitting up at the other end Of the
room. and is now engaged with number Of
fellows buying chickens. If q man at the door
should stop you, don't mind him. He has got
chickens himself for sale. and tries to prevent
other people from selling theirs. Don't mind
him. but 20 right ahead"
Following the directions. our friend soon
found himself at the door Of the Hall Of Rep
resentatives. TO open it and enter was the
work Of a moment. Taking from his shoulder
the string Of chickens, aud giving them
shake. to freshcn them, he commenced bis
journey towards the speakers chair, the fowls
in the meantime. expressing, from the half
formed crol0 to the hash quark. their bodily
presence. and their sense Of bodily pain.
81 say sir ?''- Here he advanced about
half down the aisle, when he was seized BY
Major Sackson. the door keeper, who hap
pened to be returning from the Clerks desk.
What the devil are you doing here with
these chickens; get out, sir, get out, Whis-
pered the doorkeeper.
No you don't, though, you don't come that
game over me- You've got chickens yourself
for sale, aud let me sell mine. say, sir, Gn
louder tone to the speaker are you buying
chickens here to-day? I've got some prime
ones here"
And he held up his string and shook the
fowls until their music made the walls echo.
Let me go sir, to the doorkeeper) let me
60. Isay. Fine large chickens, Ito the speak
err only six bits dozen"
where's the Sergeant at arms, roared the
Speaker" take that man out.
Now don't will you, amt hard to trade
with. You let me 60, Ito the doorkoeper,)
you've sold your chickens. now let me have a
chance / say, sir, TO the Speaker in louder
voice) are you buying chickens to -
"Go ahead" "at him again." that's
right" whispered some one Of the opposition
members who could command gravity enough
to speak.
IL say, sir. (in louder tone to the Speaker)
-cuss your pictures, let me go--fair play
two to one amt fair TO the Speaker aud Ser
goant-at-arms,) let me 60 1 say sir; you mp
there. TO the Speaker you can have 'em for
six bits won't take cent less Take 'em
home and eat 'em myself before III Take
Drat your hides, don't shove 50 hard will
You! you'll hurt them chickens and they have
had q travel Of it to-day. anyhow. I say,
you sir, up there 49,
Here the voice was lost by the closing Of
the door. An adjournment was moved, and
carried and the members. almost frantic with
mirth, rushed out to find our friend il high
alteration with the doorkeeper about the
meanness Of selling his own chickens and let
ting nobody else sell theirs. adding that IL he
could just see the man up there BY himself
he'd be bound they could make trade, and
that no man could afford to raise chickens for
less than six bits
The members bought his fowls BY pony
purse, and our friend left the Capital, saying
as he went down the stairs:
Wen, this is the darndest roughesf place
for selling chickens that ever come across,
sure.
r. One person having asked another if
be believed in the appearance Of spirits, No..
was the reply. but believe In their diSap-