Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1882-10-27


Oh the fame. There was a convulsive
movement of the hands, and, with all
the dexterity OF siight-of-hand per-
former, the uppermost eggs had given
place to the other two; and were being
more carefully examined before the
light. There" said the GAMBLER, de.
signaling an egg with a clear, trauspa.
rent shell, and wildly rosy light
showing through it, "that is strictly
fresh egg. l put that in the right-hand
box, which is intended for the New
York market. This one is not quite so
fresh, but it will do. This, YOU see, is
spotted; that's where the yelk has fast
ened to the shell because the egg laid
TOO long in one position. 1t is not a
pad egg, however, though it may be
slightly stale, and put it into the left
hand case, which is intended for the
Chicago market, and is likely to be
speedily sold. There is nothing appar-
emily wrong with this fourth egg, save
that its yelk is broken a housekeeper
might not like it, but it is a good bakers
egg"
"Why are all the first-class eggs
shipped to New York;" inquired the re.
porter.
'''Simply because they keep longest,
and are longest in finding their way
into the consumers hands. An egg
which is perfectly good in Chicago to-
day might not be good ten days hence
in New York"
The Gambler proceeded with his work
at a truly remarkable rate of speed,
stopping only now and then to point
out the popularity of an egg which had
been kept in too warm, cold, or damp a
place, or had been subjected to some
sort OF preserving process while vet in
the hands of the farmer So deft was
he in his business that the eggs, as he
shuffled them to and fro, seldom or new
er touched each other, and as for break
ing one, that is something a GAMBLER
very rarely docs Suddenly he paused
over one which plainly showed the orr
gin of the term chicken-bud.
THAT is good egg for restaurant
man." suggested the reporter.
"WhyP'F
Why. he can charge spring chicken
prices for it."
Again the Gambler went off into a con-
vulsion of laughter 1t was evident
that though he might know stale old
eggs when he saw them, he did not
know equally stale old jokes when he
heard them.
This egg found resting place among
others in large bucket. and during the
interview the Gambler busted himself in
pointing out monstrosities in the eggs
which he had thrown aside as worthless.
Very many of these had really been
laid by hens that were not well, and all
sorts of peculiarities were visible in the
fruit"
The candler's pay is uniformly ten
cents per case OF thirtysiX dozen, and
an adept at the business can make three
dollars per day easily, and more by
working overtime.
Several other Gambling rooms were
visited, and Gamblers of various degrees
of proficiency were conversed with
Said one: Eggs are good deal like
fruit. A damp, foul atmosphere and
extremes of heat or cold affect them as
quickly and as seriously as fine fruit
The shell of an egg is exceedingly
porus. and when the place of storage is
too warm and dry the albumen evapor-
ates, and when too cold and damp
the egg seems to lose its vitality and
rapidly becomes stale. The porous
shell also admits of absorption, and in
my opinion single rotten egg. the shell
of which happens to be broken
or cracked, will contaminate whole
dozens of eggs in the same case. Any
experienced GAMBLER will, l think, tell
You the sama thing. The present
system of egg carriage, which was
designed simply to prevent breakage,
has done great deal to improve the
market quality of eggs. They do not
come into contact with each other, and
after they are once packed no amount OF
knocking about will addle them'
''There does not seem to be much ex-
cuse then for the grocer who sells bad
eggs among good ones?"
"There is no excuse at all. If he
pays the market price, and buys Of
some reliable commission man, there
can be no excuse. The GAMBLER has be-
come necessity to the egg trade, and
If he is competent man at his business
he can read an egg as you would a
book. Gambling costs but ten cents a
case of thirty-six dozen: now wIsat ex-
cuse can there be for the merchant who
refuses to have his eggs candledP He
is dishonest, and means to sell rotten
eggs, and grocers should avoid him as
they would any other swindler."
Just then an order came in for one
dozen cases for the New York market,
and the Gambler was obliged to quit
talking and 60 to work. Chicago Trib-