Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1873-12-12
Pinkney's Rooster.

The 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 of the window, he
saw his new rooster and 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 repel the dis
turbance, but was too late. When he
got there, a half-dozen young ruf1ans
with cigars in their mouths and evil in
their eyes, had surrounded the birds
which were already in the afray. They
would thrust their heads out at each
other, and ruffle 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'll
miss the fun" Mr.. Pinkney was mex.
pressibly shocked. It was Sunday morn
| ing; the homes Of two of his deacOns
and several of his most prominent mem
bers were IN sight, and here were those
roosters carrying on like mad, and par.
eel of wicked and profane boys standing
around, shouting their approval 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 the
neighbors gathering, that if the earth
would only open and swallow him he
could never be sufficiently grateful. just
as he attempted to catch his roos
ter, 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 a glance, sided in
with the other rooster. "Fair play" shout
ed the new conner, for the benefit of the
crowd, and "Don't step on the birds, old
codger, for the particular benefit of Mr.
Pinkney, who, crazed beyond reason, was
jumping about, swinging his arms, and
muttering incoherent things, to the great
danger of stepping on. the combatants.
Good for old Pinkney's rooster" scream
ed the boys, in delight as that fowl
knocked a handful of feathers from his
opponents neck. "The Parson knows
how to do it," said one-eyed man, glee-
fully. Mr.. Pinkney could have swooned.
"I'll go you give dollars on the Widder,"
said the .roug h man, earnestly winking at
the clergyman. ''Take him, Pinkney
take him, Pinkney," chorused the crowd
of raggamuffins. SMy friends" protested
the unfortunate minister, in voice of ag-
ony, II cannot, cannot" cpl back
you, sir" said an enthusiastic man with a
fish-pole. "I'll 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 a deXterous move, caught the clergy
mans bird, and also dropped on his
knees, opposite. Just then Mr.. Pinkney
| looked up, and there saw two of his dea-
cons 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 unhap-
Ply man dropped Mrs. Rathburn's fowl,
and darted into the house. AS soon as he
recovered from his mishap, he sent in his
resignation, but critical examination
had been made in the meantime, and il
| transpired that as far as the worthy man
was concerned there was not the least
blame. The resignation was not accept
| ed.-DG1a6uay Neoos