Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1873-10-16
A Danbury COck.Fight.

Rev. Mr.. Pinkney, of Slawson, bought
a game rooster from Danbury dealer,
Saturday. Mr.. Pinkney informs us that
he was not aware the fowl was of the
game species; he bought it because of
its shapely appearance. We believe this
statement, and are confident that the
good people of Slawson will acquit him
of all blame in the unfortunate affair of
last Sunday morning, the particulars of
which are as follows. At the time the
trouble commenced, Mr. Pinkney was
engaged in arranging his neck-tie pre-
paratory to putting on his vest and coat.
Happening to look out the window he
saw his new rooster and a rooster be-
longing to the Widow Rathburn, squar-
ing off in the street for fight. Sur
prised and panied by this display, he
Immediately started out to quell the dis
tubance, but was too late. When he
got there, half dozen young ruffians
with cigars in their mouths and evil in
their eyes, had surrounded the birds,
would thrust their heads out at each
other, and ruffie their necks, and then
dance around and strike out with their
spurs, and Jump back and thrust out
their heads again. And when the boys
saw him they shouted out "Hurry up,
badly Mr.. Pinkney is little bald), or
you II miss the fun" Mr. Pinkney was
inexpressibly shocked. 1t was Sunday
morning the homes of two of his dea-
cons and several of his most prominent
members were in sight, and here were
those ROSTERS carrying on like mad, and
a parcel of wicked and profane boys
standing around, shouting their approx
al and noisily betting on the result. He
made an effort to secure his fowl, but it
eluded him. The perspiration streamed
down his face, which burned like fire,
his knees trembled, and he felt, as he
saw his neighbors gathering, that if the
earth would only open and swallow him
he never could be sufficiently grateful.
Just as he attempted to catch his roos-
ter, a rough-looking individual, with
his pants in his boots, and cap with a
drawn-down fore-piece, came up, and,
taking in the scene at glance, sided in
with the other rooster "Fair play"
shouted the newcomer for the benefit of
the crowd, and "Don't step on the
birds, old codger," for the particular
benefit of Mr.. Pinkney, who, crazed be-
yond reason, was ;umpingabout, swing
ing his arms, and muttering incoherent
things, to the great danger of stepping
ON the combatants. "Good for old Pink
ney's rooster" screamed the boys in de-
light, as that fowl knocked handful
of feathers from his opponents neck.
The Parson knows how to do it," said
a one-eyed man, gleefully. MIR. Pinkney
could have swooned. "I'n go you five
dollars ON the Widder," said the rough
man, earnestly, winking at the clergy
man. "Take him, Pinkney take him,
Pinkney," chorused the crowd of raga-
mullins. MY friends" protested the
unfortunate ministerin voice of agony,
4 cannot, / cannot" "I'll back you,
sir" said an enthusiastic man with
fish-pole. "Ill put up for you, and you
can let me have it from your donation"
The clergyman groaned. "Catch the
Widder," shouted the rough man to Mr..
Pinkney, indicating that lady's bird by
motion of his finger. Mr.. Pinkney
clutched it, dropping on his knees as he
did so. At the same time the rough man
by dexterous move, caught the clergy
mans bird, and also dropped on his
knees opposite. Just then Mr.. Pink
ney looked up, and there saw two of
his deacons and several of the members
staring down upon the scene with an
expression that brought the blood to his
face, and with groan of intense pain
the unhappy man dropped Mrs. Rath-
burns fowl and darted into the house.
As soon as he recovered from his mis-
hap, he sent in his resignation, but
critical examination had been made in
the meantime, and it transpired that as
far as the worthy man was concerned
there was not the least blame. The
resignation was not accepted.-Dan-
buru Ne,Us.