Baton-Rouge gazette. [volume] (Baton-Rouge, La.) 1819-1856, 1853-01-01
"Drawins = \ badger.
BY JOHN SMITH, IN.

wus one day attracted 10 4 n,l,ilt'er OF per
sons who were gathered around Ions
barrel which stood OIL end nearly before
t tie door of an nle.honse, known ns 'ilt
"s,even Stars'--a house, as | afterwards
discovered, well pstronired by the aprren
tees OF mechanics. aid moinbers OF "t'ie
fancy"
i Being deslrou. Of seeing as much as
possible of the manners. customs, etc. Of
II the mothrr counlry (al,houeh | never IN.
tended TO write 'book, my curiosity
induced Inc to Stop ard uroi 20 doing, !
3 found they were examining q fine large
badger, as was told by the proprietor,
who was present., was to be baited on the
afternoon Of the following day.
i As was trtfently yerdant in such mat.
ters --Nilldeed, had never seen the animal
bpfore--curiosity ovcrcanie my disgust at
such ali exhibition, and determined to be
present Mt the so.callcd sport. According
ly, OH the following afternoon was pune.
Itually upon the spot, where l found large
crowd, many persons Of which had brought
their dogs, aud were already letting pret.
" freely upon the prowess OF their re.
spective animals.
The appointed hour had now arrived,
and the badger was removed to the sta.
ble.vard of the inn, whittier the crowd Of
men aud dogs had already proceeded, and
tile landlord appeared il, person to superin.H
t.nd the interesting ceremonies which
were to follow.
A stout stick Of oak was now placed
firmly upon two uprights. aud the Darrell
OF the ~baitce" brought close 70 it, and
laid with its sides upon the ground, while
/ a cloth Of some course material was
thrown over his mouth. The dog destined
to take off the wire edge Of the badHer,
was now brought up, aud released from
his chain, the cloth was removed from
| the entrance of the den, and the animal,
tine Scotch terrier rushed boldly in. and
after short scnff1e. was drawn out by the
legs BY his owner, bringing the badger
with him. The animals had each a firm
hold Of the other. aud were now thrown
over the stick before mentioned, and were
suffered to hang until strangulation COM
pelted them to release their grippe. when
the "baiiee' was returned to his den, aud
len mintes allowed him TO recruit for the
mex. encounter.
Nearly an hour had thus passed, and
some fuur' br FIVE dogs had participated in
the coftihat, bat, with one exception, none
had displayed the game and endurance Of
the first, they had been severely torn by
the sharp teeth and powerful claws of the
persecnted badger, ard evinced no sigma
Of a desire to undertake seccud attempt.
At this moment q rusty.looking individual
who sported shocking bad nat. walked
up to the barrell, followed by a large. lank,
aud maugy.lookiag cur, reniarking--
"Why, gents, your dogs dont seem wer-
ry hanxious to ave a turn with this ere
hadger. Now. here's Towser, I don't say
he any thing hextra, but he can fetch that
haninaI out hauy 'ow."
During these remarks Of the owner, his
dog had been smelling aroundtlle entrance
OF the barrel, and appeared to be perfectly
satisfied that he had no business with the
badger; and when the cover was removed
from the den, and the ..individual" endeav-
cred to "sic' him on, lie displayed signs OF
the most .unqnalified dssapptobation. and
sticking his caudal appendsge between his
legs. sought protection behind the carcass
OF the said individual, and commenced |
hntking fariously, illustrating the truth Of
the proverb. Gases tinidi vehementius
tatrant."
This cowardly conduct ON the part Of
the dog excited the scorri and laughter OF
the hy.sta,ldere, who were by no ineans
spariug Of their libcs and jeers at both dog |
and owner. But these tile individual bore /
with great Guinness, and when the cries
Of blast that dog .''-"1'ake him away
--"He wouldn't fight a rat etc. had ceas-
cd, he Observed
Look here, gents, per'aps You think
Towsers afeard. or iaaybc you 'spect he
cane bring the hanimal phout. Now, IL
any gentlemen would like to bet he won't
bring him out Of the barrel. why, let i'm
put Up III money, and I'm his man"
As the cowardice of the dog was very
evident. and as the owner appeared 10
have the wiierewithsl, many Of the crowd
they had caught 4 greenhorn.
were very willing TO bet. and The indivtd-
aa was soon Accommodated TO the extent
Of his pile, and the stakes placed in the
hands Of the landlord.
Nov. gents, said the owner of the
brute, removing his coat,
s.look out for sport. for toll you Towser's
going 20 fetch that 'ere badger hout, SO
stand clear. aud give the dog a fairshake = Fl