Evening journal., 1897-11-23
ORIGIN OF THE BLUE HE
CHICKENS.

OANAAAAN VI AillI pi41E T. lli14N -
CHICKENS.
The following from a historical novel
is am authentic account of how Della
wareans came to be called the Blue
Hens chickens, a title that has clung
TO them from the August days of the
first year OF the revolution down to the
present time:
AS l lay quietly by the fire smoking
and trying TO think that we were sure
70 win on the morrow, a perfect babel
OF voices and laughter behind me am
nounced the arrival OF a party OF our
officers. Caldwell, one of the captains,
had drum in his hands, which he set
down by the blazes while the others
surrounded him in expectation.
Whats the matter?" l asked.
Why said Kirkwood, ''we're going
TO test our luck"
IL that's your luck said StIdham,
pointing TO the drum, cts sure to be
beat whereat chorus Of giOan5
arose.
My sons" said Caldwell. believing
in Omens, II have here two game cocks
which we shall proceed To fight. They
are famous breed. at home, the Blue
Hen breed. AS they're both of The
same kind, it will be fair test. Does
anyone wish to bet ON his choice?" So
saying, he cut the head from the drum
and took from It two cocks. handing
one to Stidham and keeping one him
self. A little space of ground, lighted by
the fire. was chosen, and we gathered
about 1T, a deep ring of men collecting
behind us, for in those days cOck-feht-
ing was d favOrite amusement. The
betting was light, for all our posses
sions were on our birds, and we could
III spare Them.
Then they set 10 work and pitched
the birds in the cen.hre Of the ring. For
few minutes they circled about each
other watching fer AN opening; thsn
tle larger of them-SOidham called him
Cornwallis-ran in under the other
bird, lifting him, rolled him over On
his back and struck upward a5 he fell
a most peculiar strike. But General
washington was not to be taken un-
awares, and sprang straight up in THE
air, and coming down on his antago
mist, dealt him blow on the breast
that knocked him off his feet, and WAS
in turn driven back to the edge OF the
ring, fighting at every step. Stidham
caught it up just as Cornwallis was
about to put in a final blow.
NO you don'ti you big ugly devil.
said he. The little 'un's showed pluck
and you sha'ntmaul him. now declare
this meeting adjourned" said he put,
ting the bird inside his coat. Come
along, Caldwell" f" he added rising.
Caldwell got up, too. You see, my
sons, Wen be saved tomorrow as
brand from the burning so take heart
all cf you. And now, my Blue Hen.
Chickens, get TO roOst, every mother.
son Of you, for by my word, youl nees
both wings and spurs tomorrow" AM,
the two strobe OFF 10 their own fire
But Caldwell's name has stuck to us
and Blue Hens Chickens" we shal
be until the end of the chapter
IN THE SICK ROOM.
There is only one disappointed MAJ
on board the vessel. He is William
Stackhouse, the ships blacksmith. VIII,
injured his back while ait work. He Il
on the sick list and confined to the hos
pital room.
GOES TO THE INDIANA.
c. E. Alexander, the Wilmington
apcthecary, known TO his comrades a
the Doctor" was transferred to-day T.
the 'battleship Indiana. The warrior i
at Hampton Roads, and Alexande
Joined her there.
SCENE AT THE p, w. &B.
The thousands of persons VIII
streamed down through the Pusey an
Jones Ccmpanys shipyard to the VIII
mington's anchorage this morning al
selected one route.
They went 10 The p. ". & b. sta
ton, thence down The long southsid
nlaffofnl fio pr1,lar. -tt.ocf G.or,, m nj.
they moved in.o a solid procession ~
the i.h side Of the platform. IN