American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1873-12-13

The Rev. Mr.. Pinkney, of Slawson,
| bought a game rooster from a 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 sbapefy 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.
Happcnipg to look out OF the window, he
saw his new rooster and a rooster be-
longing to the Widow Rath burn, squar
ing off in the street for a fight. Sur
prlsed and panied by this display, he
Immediately started out to repel the dis
turbauee, but was too late. When he
got there, n hali-dozen young ruffians,
| with cigars in their mouths and evil i'll
their eyes, had surrounded the birds,
which were already in the afiray. They
would thrust their heads out at each
other, ard rutfle 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 ont: Hurry up, badly
MIR Pinkney is a little bald), or you'll
miss the fun" Mr.. Pinkhey was mex
pressibIy shocked. 1t was Sunday morn
ing; the homes of two of his deacons
and several of his most prominent MEM
beers were IN sight, and here were those
BOOSTERS carrying on like mad, and a par
Gel of wicked and profane boys Standing
around, shouting their approval and
nosily betting on the result He made
an effort to secure his fowl, but it eluded
him. The preparation streameG down his
face, which burned like FIRE, his
ha f.,It
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 zoos
ter, 4 roughlooking individual, will,
his pants in bis boots, and a cap with n
drawn-down fore-piece, came up, and
taking in the scene at 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 MIR.
Pinkney, who craZed beyond reason, was
jumping about, swinging his arms, and
muttering incoherent things, to the great
danger of stepping on the comha ants.
Good for old Pinkney's rooster" scream
ed the boys, in delight, as that fowl
knocked handful of feathers from his
opponents neck The Parson knows
how to do it." said one-eyed man, glee-
fully. Mr.. Pinkney could have swoon' d.
III go you give dollars on the WiddeI,"
said the rough man, earnestly winking at
the clergyman Take him, Pinkney;
take him, PinkEey," chorused the crowd
of raggamuffins. My friends" protested
the unfortunate minister, in voice of ag-
ony, Il cannot, | Cannot" "l1l back
YOU sir,' said an enthusiastic man with a
fsh-pole. "Pll put up for you, and you
can let me have it from your Donation
The clergyman groaned. Catch the
Widder,"' shouted the rough man 10 Mr..
Pinkney, indicating that lady's bird by
ii 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 dcxterous move, caught the clergy
mans bird, and also dropped ON his
knees, opposite. just then Mr.. Pinkney
looked ~, 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 il groan of intense PAIN the unhap-
py 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 IL critical cXaminaiit
had been made in the meantime, and 1t
traEspiTed that as far rs the worthy man
WAS concerned there was not the least
blame. The resignation was not accept
Netcs.