Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-25

A Bird That Ii Not Afraid to Tackle
Anything 1t Sees.

From the Lewiston Journal.
Auburn is the proud possessor Of a Won
derful rooster. Mrs. Nellie H. Bisbee, wife
Of Superintendent Bisbes of the Auburn
water works, told the tale to the Journal
this morning, and 1t Is worth repeating
That lady has q friend In Warren, who has
two little children-a boy and girl. One
Of their neighbors kept hens, and about
two years ago a setting OF chickens was
Matched. The old mother hen selected one
of the chicks and fired it out Of the brood
Under no circumstances whatever would
she recognise or own 1t. The outcast was
finally presented to the little daughter OF
Mrs. Bisbees friend, who nursed and cared
for it until 1t grew to be quite a chicken
Finally 1t became too large to Keep In the
house and was put out doors. AS the little
girl could no longer care for 1t as before,
she sold 1t to her brother for cents. With
this change of ownership the chicken be-
gan to develop some new traits OF charac-
ter. The new owner plagued 1t. ana the
chick soon grew surly, and finally pugna-
cious.
Well, the young birds disposition did not
improve. like wine, with age. 1t steadily
grew worse. One OF the neighbors had q
garden, but II any member OF the family
attempted to gather any of the vegetables
the young rooster would fly at him with
such fury that he had to give up the Job
and fly himself. The result was that that
rooster had the garden to himself, and the
relations between the two families became
strained. A lady from Rockland came over
one day and said that she would not be
afraid to go into the garden and pick some
string beans. The rooster lit on her head.
tore down her hair, broke her eyeglasses
and made mincemeat of most of her finery.
That ended the battle, while the triumphant
bird went of singing "veni. vidi, vici-'
The victorious bird finally began to stop
people on the road and turn them back. 1t
would chase them clear into the village, a
half mile distant. The neighbors complain
ed that life in that section was becoming
unbearable. Cats, dogs and everything else
would fly at it's approach.
Matters at last reached q climax. The
law was threatened unless the obnoxious
bird should be removed Finding that 1t
was impossible to restore harmony in any
other way, it was at last decided to ship the
rooster away.
The lady OF the house In this emergency
consulted her Auburn friend. She was as
sured that Auburn had some good fighting
blood and could care for herself even with
this master Of the art. The young son of
Alderman Vickery was selected to take
charge of the bird and humble Its proud
spirit. In due time the rooster reached the
shoe city and was installed in its new quar-
ters in Minot avenue.
For a few days the bird remained quiet.
1t was simply studying the situation and
taking its bearings Then 1t opened up
again. A series of unbroken triumphs fol-
iowed In rapid succession. Young Vickery
was placed hors du combat. Mrs. Vickery
declared that she would never be driven by
rooster-so sailed forth to meet her ad-
versary. Alas! she met the fate Of all who
had trodden the same path, and soon re-
tired ingloriously from the field. The city
father took up the cudgel and met the same
fate.
One morning the rooster was among the
missing. The groceryman soon came In and
laid that he had witnessed q battle that
morning between the rooster and two big
| bulldogs. Fora long time victory had
trembled in the balance. but finally had
perched upon the banner Of the dogs. The
bird was left for dead upon the field. But
right here was where all calculations failed.
The supposed corpse was found and
brought back to the house. Few tears were
congratulations; but. alas! the rooster was
not dead. but sleeping. He was simply
knocked out. An experiment soon restored
and brought him to a realizing sense OF his
defeat. For the first time he had been
whipped but his honor was still intact. A
few days rest and he was again ready for
battle. The neighbors In that section of
the city are now trembling between hope
and fear. They hope that the battle be-
tween the rooster and the dogs may be re-
newed. but fear that the dogs may 60 I'M
der the next time. At present the fighting
bird Is in a strong-barred cage. and when
fed the alderman and his son come with q
big club and a shotgun. The case is excit-
ing much interest In Auburn. and scores
of people visit and look at the bird with
mingled feelings OF awe and admiration.