Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1874-02-25
Pinkney's Rooster.
From the Danbury News,

The Rev. Mr.. Pinkney, of Slawson, bought
game rooster from Danbury dealer on
Saturday. Mr.. Pinkney informs US that he
was not aware the fowl was of the game
species; he bought it because of it's shapely
appearance. We believe this statement,
and are confident that the good people of
Slawson will acquit him from all blame in
the unfortunate affair of last Sunday morn
ing, the particulars Of which are as follows:
At the time the trouble commenced Mr..
Pinkney was engaged in arranging his
neck-tie preparatory to putting on his coat.
Happening to look out of the window he
saw his new rooster and the rooster belong
ing to the widow Rathbarn squaring off in
the street for fight. Surprised and panied
by this display, he Immediately started out
to repel the disturbance, but was too late.
When he got there half dozen young
rufians, with cigars in their mouths ana
evil in their eyes, had surrounded the birds,
which were already in che afray. They
would thrust their heads out at each other,
and ruff1e 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 {:
=" Hurry up baldy,0 (Mr. Pinkney is lit
tie bald) cor you'll miss the fun" Mr..
Pinkney was inexpressibly shocked. It was
Sunday morning the homes of two of his
deacons and several of the most prominent
members were in sight, and here were those
ROSTERS carrying on like mad, and parcel
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 open and swallow him
up he could never be sufficiently grateful
Just as he attempted to catch his rooster, a
rough-looking individual, with his pants in
his boots and a cap with 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 particular benefit of Mr. Pinkney, who.
crazed beyond reason, was jumping about,
swinging his arms, end muttering incohe-
rent 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 a handful of
feathers from his opponents neck. "The
Parson knows how to do it, said one
eyed man, gleefully. Mr.. Pinkney could
have swooned. cpl go you five dollars
on the Widder," said the rough man, ear
nestly winlling at the clergyman. "Take
him, Pinkney take him. Pinkney," chorus
ed the crowd Of ragamuf6ns." 'sMy friend,n
protested the unfortunate minister, in q
voice of agony, 81 cannot, l cannot-n
"Il back you, sir" said an enthusiastic
man with a fishpole. "Tll put up for you,
and you can let me have it from your dona-
ton" The clergyman groaned "Catch
the Widder,' shouted the rough man to
Mr.. Pinkney. indicating that lady's bird
by a motion of his finger. Mr.. Pinkney
clutched it, dropping on his knees as he did
so. At the same time the rough man, by q
dexterons move, caught the Clergyman
bird, and also dropped on his knees op-
posite. Just then Mr.. Pinkney looked up,
anu 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. Rathburn's fowl, and darted into the
house. AS soon as he recovered from his
mishap he sent in his resignation, but a
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