Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1873-12-27
Scofeld's Goat.

Deputy-Sheriff Harvey Scofield of West
Farms was recently the proprietor Of billy
goat. The mischievous pranks of this
quadruped were fully up to the average,
and were the source Of continued anxiety
to Mr.. Scofield. The goat was the terror
OF bill posters, for he could reach hand
Dali on the highest fence, and one day
circus troupe which had lost heavily by
visiting the town charged their bad luck
10 ocoheld's goat, who had eaten their
posters. Small boys with red stockings
always gave his goatship plenty of room
whenever he took promenade. A strange
boy only needed butting over oncfto be-
come as contemplative as the village boys.
The goat had great dislike for yellow
dogs, and never missed an opportunity to
pitch one OF them INTO the Bronx ii he
could catch him on the hank of the river.
A fight among the village dogs could be
broken up at once by shouting Scofield's
goat" Young ladies, too, knew Scofield's
goat, and never wore red, color which
annoyed him.
Scofield says he has spent more than S2G
for ropes to tie the goat up, but that he is
capable Of eating a clothes line fifty feet
long within thirty days. The depredations
OF this animal around Mr.. Scofield's yard
and in his house have been very discour-
aging. Not long ago he ate one of his mas
ter's gum shoes, and chewe6 hole in a
new felt hat. Then ne barked favorite
ounce bush, and broused all the branches
on a small pear tree-a new variety. Last
week he devoured an execution against a
threshing machine without disturbing his
stomach, and then ate all the batting out
OF bed-quilt that was hanging out of a
xxyin1nur ha Iux Il
rived home, he spied the goat ON a shed
chewing sheep skin which he had Just
dressed and spread out to dry. Scofield
tried to frighten the goat from the roof by
throwing sticks and stones at him; but
after breaking pane of glass in a neigh
boris house he decided to go up and help
him down. On reaching the top of the
shed the goat darted between Mr.. Scofield's
legs, still clinging to the sheep skin. SEQ
field sat down with the velocity of a can
non ball. The roof gave way and Mr..
Scofield fell into an empty potato barrel as
though he had expected chair there to
receive him. The goat fell on a pile
of coal and then darted into the yard
leaving Mr.. Scofield struggling to get out
of the barrel. Just as he had almos,
freed himself the barrel went to slaves
the ultimatum being that he reached the
ground still in sitting posture and in a
very unsettled frame of mind except on
one point, and that was to sell that goat to
the first man who came along. Yes, by
dad, that confounded goat must go-that
settles it," said Scofield, as he clambered
to his feet, surveyed the surroundings, and
saw the goat in the fence corner still chew
ing the sheep skin.
On Friday, however, he sold the goat to
Morrisania German for So. On Satur-
day the German called for his goat, with
a rope and boy. The boy was assigned
to fasten the rope to the goats horns.
The next minute the boy was clinging to
the limbs Of an apple tree, and screaming
like a screech owl. The man then mount
ed the fence and lassoed the goat. Billy
went along well enough until he reached
the street. Then he set both fore feet
down that he would go no further. The
man tugged at the rope, but his goatship
was as firm as pine stump. All at once
Billy lunged forward while the German
was pulling hard at the rope, and he fell
backward againsta gate and tumbled into
neighbor's yard. Away went goat and
rope toward the village at high speed.
Billy had his dander up, and was in for a
sensation. The cry "There comes Sco-
htio EOab WIN iiC III HiS ClCs was Stdl y
ed, and all red substances vanished. As
he ran down the street he saw himself
In looking-glass which was standing in
front Of furniture store, and installing the
reflection for another goat, he stopped,
looked wise, took deliberate aim with his
shaggy head and went through the glass,
emerging on the other side with his horns
entangled in the wires of spring mattress
and his face covered with blood. The pro-
prietor of the goat soon arrived, and tying
his legs, put him in a wagon and started
for home, saying: 81 vix der goat ven /
gets him home.n
Yesterday the German took the goat
back to Mr.. Scofield and demanded his
money. He said, I" never see such goat
like dat. l not keep such goats like him.
Last night he butt my front fence down,
and yesterday he kill my dog dat pays
$25 NIT. Why you do not dell me dc goat
he got some bricks, eh ?'
Mr.. Scofield informed the German that
he could not take the goat back, but the
owner left the animal there.
Mr.. Scofield says that he will keep the
goat few days and then take out an exc
cution against the German for boarding
the goat, and If the German don't pay the
bill he viii sell the goat at auction.-N. y.
Sim