Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1888-03-30
"AT THE PATG0."

1here IS very peculiar custom which
prevails in the rural districts of Louisi-
anna, of which the oldest inhabitant can
not tell the origin. In some points it
resembles the old Scottish game of the
''Wappenshaw, but it has local and
special features of it's own, which ONLY
some dead-and gone Acadian ancestor
could explain.
AS for the singular name, ii is simply
Acorruption of ''Pape gaie"-the Pape, y
or ''Pop." as it is called in ENGLISH
being bright little bird
The Patgo is a wooden rooster. oailv
decorated with snowy ribbons, and
mounted on pole as a mark, or target.
Prizes are offered, so many dollars for
each wing, so much for the head; but
the grand prize falls to the lucky marks
man who brings down the bird.
hOrseman discounting before the
gate of one of the small cottages in
Prairie ManOn, in Southwestern Iouisi-
anna, noticed a great excitement in and
about the house. Men were collected in
groups, guns were being cleaned and
fired, and that deafenlng hubbub pre-
vailed which the soul of the excitabIe
Acadian delights in
The gentleman fastened his horse to
post, and approached a venerable-look-
ing old man who sat on the steps of the
house, and who was gesticulating and
shouting with the most obstreperous of
the noisy crowd.
Can you give me lodging tonight,
SIR" he said, taking off his hat with a
courteous inclination of his fine head
The old man took his pipe from his
mouth and stared at the speaker, who
was a magnificent young man in the I'M
dress uniform of the United States army.
over SIX feet in statue, he was finely
proportioned, and had face of singular
and marked beauty. There was game
bag slung over his shoulder, and he held
a rifle.
1"Je comprends pas, monsieur" the
old man answered. 81 spik not the
language, 'mericain"
''And 1 not one word of French
laughed the stranger. ''But look here.
old fellow, | must make you understand,
Been hunting" pointing to the full
game-bag and gun. 'Lost nv wav.n
walking about, and turning from right
to left in a confused manner. "Want
some supper, " chewing vigorously. "and.
above ALL want bed," laying his head
on his hand and shutting his eyes. eff
the old coon don't understand that
speaking pantomime, he's an IDIOT
The old man certainly under stood all
that was ridiculous in it, for he laughed
aloud, but courteously depressed his
merrlment and answered gravely: ''Mv
garcon, my son, Jean Baptiste he spik
de 'merlcain good. Jean Baptiste, viers
iciw
Jean Baptiste came up. A cookbook
ing lad about eighteen, but with
gloomy and respondent face In fact,
Jean Baptiste had the air of person
crushed by some misfortune, for whom
the world had no charm. He listened to
the officer, and translated his request to
his father, who answered him in an ex-
cited speech.
''My papa he say re house is full, full.
People come feefty mile to shoot at re
Patgo tomorrow; but if monsieur can
sleep in re loft, bon, he can stay Re first
come, he get re best bed"
'And as I'm the last conner, I get the
loft, and thankful am [ for it, said the
officer, with a gay laugh. cit isn't
pleasant to be lost in your prairies at
night. But, my boy, what in the world
is Patgo?"
Monsieur does not know re Patgo?" |
in tone of establishment. Mon Dieu, !
that is strange! 1t is bird made out re |
wood. You pay twenty-five cents for a
shot. Ze man what brings it down gets
re big prize. Such pony, all black, no
white spot, and he ru- like deer"
Il suppose you are going to try for |
the wonderful pony?"
"Ah. mon Lieu, but mol 1 have |!