The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1883-06-07
Egg.Candllng.

Egg.Candllng.
An odd trade Is that OF the egg-can-
der. One having been advertised for o
few days ago, Tribune reporter to
whom the word GAMBLER" was full
of mystery, took the liberty of calling
upon the advertiser for an explanation.
Thither the reporter went, and in the
shadow of huge bank of egg-cases on
the sidewalk discovered passage-way
labeled a Butter" which led into the
basement of the building designated.
Entering, the reporter found himself in
q small apartment, which may be truth
fully said to be the fullest apartment he
ever entered. The space occupied by
two young men, and innumerable egg
cases. was filed with stencil so thick
that tho reporter felt like cutting of o
chunk of it and bearing 1t away as q
trophy But as nothing save "hen-
fruit " was visible. be was constrained
instead to inquire if poultry-cholera
was prevalent Just at present. One Of
the young men tumbled off the pile OF
cases on which he was reclining, and
after rolling over the floor with laughter
two or three times. arose and said,
quietly: "No; guess the hens are
all we'll" After q few words Of ex-
planaEion as to the nature of the call,
che young man kindly consented to
give an exhibition Of egg-candling, and
led the way. Going up to dirty look
ing patch on the wan, be drew aside an
old gray army blanket disclosing o
lighted interior beyond. He real
lied the effect. for be stopped
long enough on the threshold TO
say: '+Ohi come In. This amt no trap;
It's the eandling-room." The apart
ment was found to be about seven by
three feet and upon bench at one
End were three open egg cases. a
small metallic oil-lamp was attached by
. wooden fixture to the farther end OF
the middle box. This furnished the
only light in the room. The GAMBLER
walked up to the bench with watch
me-juggle-them air, and. turning back
his irt-sleeves. plunged both hands
into the middle box. and suddenly
brought forth four chicken buds. y
With the thumb and fore-finger of each
hand the uppermost eggs were caught
up and held for an instant only in front
OF the fiame- There was convulsiva
movement OF the hands, and, with all
the dexterity of slight-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 clear, transpa.
Pnez zRnf1 ~-Fr
showing through it, "that is strictly a
fresh egg. I put that In the right hand
box. which Is intended for the New
York market. This one is not quite 80
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. It IS not a
bad egg, however, though 1t 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-
entity wrong with this fourth egg. save
that its yelk ID broken. A housekeepe.
might not like It. but it is good baker
egg.n
shipped to New Yorkp'' 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 o 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 q
place, or had boen subjected to some
sort OF preserving process while yet in
the hands of the farmer. So deft was
he In his business that the eggs, as he
shufaed 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 ori.
gin of the term chicken-bud.
That is good egg for a restaurant
man. suggested the reporter.
Why, he can charge spring chicken
prices for it"
Again the Gambler went off into con
vllsfon of laughter It was eviden
that though he might know stale ole
eggs when he saw them, he did no
know equally stale old jokes when hs
heard them.
This egg found resting place among
others In large bucket. and during tbs
interview the GAMBLER busted himself Ii
pointing out monstrosities in the eggs
WHICH BE had thrown aside as xorthless