Richland beacon., 1888-04-07
AT THE PATGO.'

There is very peculiar custom. which
prevails lin the rural DISTRICT. of Touisi
anna, of which the oldest inhabitant can
not tell the origin. In some 2,ints j,
resembles the old Scottish game of the
"Wappenshaw," but it has local and
special features of its own. which cnly
some dead-and- gone Acadian ancestor
could explain.
As for the singular name, ii is simply
acorruptiOn of "Papc gaie"- Pape. y
or Pop" as it is called in English.
being bright little Lird.
The Patgo is wooden rooster. caily
decorated with snowy ribbons, and
mounted on pole as q 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.
n horseman discountina before the
gate OF one of the small cottages in
Prairie Manop, i'll Southwestern Louisi-
anna, noticed great excitement in and
about the house. Men were collected in
groups, guns were being cleaned and
fired, and that doafening hubbub pre.
vailet which the soul of the excitable
Acadian delights in.
The gentleman fastened his horse to a
post, and approached a venerable look
ing old man who SIT on the step, of the
house, and who was gesticulating and
shouting with the most obstreperous of
the noisy crowd.
Can you give me lodging to night,
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 d magnificent young man in the un-
dress uniform of the United States army.
Over six feet in statue, he was finely
proportioned, and had face of sin ,ular
and marked beauty. There was a game
bag slung over his shoulder, and he held
a rife.
'""e comprends pas, monsieur" the
old man answered. 81 spik not the
language. 'mericain."
land 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 my way."
walking a out, and turning from right
to left in confused manner. "Want
some supper, Chewing vigorously, land.
above all, want a bed," laying his head
on his hand aud shutting his eyes. 'If
the old coon don't understand that
speaking pantomime, he's an IDIOT
The cd man certainly understood all
that was ridiculous in it, for he laughed
aloud, but courteously repressed his
merriment and answered gravely: .sMv
garcon, my son, Jean Eaptiste, he spik
de 'mericain good. Jean Baptiste, viens
lei"
Jean Baptistc came up A cookbook
ing lad about eighteen, but with a
gloomy and respondent face. In fact,
Jean Biptiste had the air of a 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 cx.
cited speech.
my papa he say re house is full, full.
People come feefty mile to shoot 1t re
Patgo tomorrow; but if monsieur can
sleep in re loft, bon he can stay. Ze first
come, he get &c best bed
And as I'm the last conner, get the
loft, and thankful am for it," sad the
officer, with gay laugh. at isn't
pleasant to be lost in your prairie, at
night. But, my boy, what in the world
is Patgo!"
Monsieur does not know re ratgosr
ia tone of astonishme1t. Mon Dicu,
hat is strange. 1t is bird made out &c
wood. You pay twenty five cents for
hot. Ze emau what brings it down gets
&c big prize. Such pony, all bla K, no
white spot, and he run like d err"
Il suppose you arc going to try for
The wonderful ponyr
"Ah, mon Dieu, but no. I have
broke my gun. and zey will not lend me
,ne. Ard why! shoots best, and zey
. jaloux. Zcy wants me not try. An,
md zey is glad my gun is broke.
he muttercd betwe n his ct
ecth, - he glarei - agely at the marks
men.
The stranger looked around, and
houghr 10 himself that even in this beau
iful isolated region. 50 remote from the
frugal ng ambitions Of to world, envy
nd hatred fourishcd. "The boy has
ctnally murderous look" he thought,
and those fellows must be . mean set
4 beRgars to treat him so."
..Look here, Jean Baptistem hsasaid