Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1855-12-26
.WEDNEsDAY. DEC s26. 1855: S
A sha,1ahai story.


appreciate story related in the Flag of Our
Union, by the,sOld sUn,' concerning one Sap
Green, a chicken fancier. Sap was fairly wild
on the snbject of chickens, and snapped up ev-
cry thing in the shape of big fowl which
came along, let it cost what it might. One
day a ssailor-man' came along with an egg he
had brought from the sE-stingies.'ie He called
it the sGigantic Pagoda Hen'-said they grew
as fbig rs all out of bdoors,' and wanted fortya
dollars for it. The forty dollars were Instant
ly paid, and the sOld I'M goes onto say
o, how he watched the egg Matching ma
chine while that extraordinary egg was under
going the process. He begrudged the time
exacted by eating and sleeping, but his vigils
were rewarded by the appearance in due time
Of stout young chick, with the long legs that
are proof of eastern blood. The bird grew
apace-indeed, almost as rapidly Jacks
bean stalk, or the prophets gourd. But the
sailor was mistaken in one thiRg-it ate vero-
ciously. Moreover, as it increased in size and
strength, the Psgoda exhibited extradinary
pugnacity. It kicked a dozen Of comrades to
death in one night 1t even bit the hands of
the feeder. Soon it was necessary to conine
it in a separate apartment. Its head soon
touched the ceiling. What a pity it had no
mattel
Sap wrote to a correspondent in Calcutta to
ship him tsro pair of the Great Pagoda birds,
without regard to cost. Ieanwlil lie he watch
ed the growth Of his single specimen. He
kept its existence a profound secret. It was
under lock and key, in separate apartment,
lighted by a very large window in the roof
-Sep's man of all work wheeled daily two bu-
sicls Of corn and barrel of water to the door
of the apartment, and Green fed it when no
one was looking. Even this supply was scan
ty, but out of justice to his family Sap was
was compelled to put the monster bird on al
iowanee. Poor thingl; he would say-when
Sc saw the creature deyourIng broken glass
and even boiling stray nails and gravel stones
sit cuts me to the soul to see it reeuced to
such extremity. But its eating me out of hopse
and home. Decidedly that sailor must have
been deceived about being moderate feeders.'
When the bird had attained the enormous
attitude of six feet, the proud proprietor sent
for the celebrated DR.. Ludwig Hydrarchos, of
Cambridge, to inspect him and furnish him with
scientific description, wherewith he might
astonsh his brethren of the Poultry associa-
tion. The Doctor came and was carefully adj
mitted by Green to the presence of the Great
Pagoda Hen. The bird was not accustomed
to the sight of strangers, and began to mani
fest uneasiness and displeasure on seeing the
man of science. 1t lifted first one foot and
then then the other, as if it were treading on
hot plates. eHi hip said Green, soothingly,
'Pagy, Pagy, come now be quiet, viii you p
LET me out, sayl' 4 never knew it to act
so 5efore,' said Green, fumbling at the lock.
a whirl a rush a whizzing of the wings
of the bird was down on the doctor-treading
on his heels, and picking at the nape of his
neck. ePagyl Pagy 2 supplieated the owner.
But the angry bird would not listen to reason,
and Sap received a thump on the head for his
pains. And now both rushed for the opening
door, stumbling and falling prostate in their
eagerness to escape. The monster bird dan
ced moment on their PROSTATE bodies, and
then darted forth. 1t rushed through cou-
pie of grape housekeeping destruction in
its progress. 1t coursed through the flower
beds, running the bright parterres.
Mrs. Green, who was walking in the garden
with her child, saw the horrible apparation,
and stood paralyzed with terror.-In aninstant
she was thrown down and trampled under foot,
shrieking and clasping her infant in her arms
Green beheld this last atrocity, and his conju-
gal affection oyercame his love of birds. He
caught up his fowling piece and fred at the
ungratefal monster; the shot ripped up some
of its tail feathers, but failed to inflict NOR
al wound nothing short of a field-piece
could produce an impression on that living
mass. Away sped the fowl TO the railroad
| track, down which it run with headlong speed
But its career was brief-an express train
coming up in the opposite direction, struck il
full in front, and rushed on, scattering feath
ers, wings, and drumsticls in the air.
Tell me, DOCTOR gasped Green, swhat Dc
you think of my great Pagoda p sGreat Pa
| godal' said the professor in indignant dis
dain. eThat was Stluthio-Greek, Sfrothou
in other words, an ostrich If you hadn't be
longed to the genus .4sinas, you'd have know
that, without asking me. Good morning Mr.
Green Where is the monster p cried hrs
| Green. Il believe the poor child is killed
| o, Sap didn't expect this of your sB
quiet, my DEAR said Green, sit was only al
experiment.
sAn experiment. Mr.. Green = retorted tn
lady sharply, syour wife and child nearly Kill
| led, and you call it an experiments Nurturini
ostridges to deyour your offspring 1 wonde
you don't take to raising elephantsp 2 IN
danger of that, Maria, replied her husband
| meekly.
Il have seen the elephant. And to-morroy
| / shall send my entire stock 10 the auction