SOLON ROBINSON, 1850 433 



owner refusing twenty-five dollars for a pair, and I was 

 credibly informed of another transaction at fifty dollars 

 for a cock and hen ; which I understand is not an unusual 

 price among the fancy. 



The owner of one of this giraffe breed, seeing an old 

 farmer eyeing a remarkably tall specimen that was 

 stretching his neck away up into the upper regions of a 

 three-story coop, inquired of him if he would like to make 

 a purchase; observing how much it would improve his 

 old stock of poultry. 



"Wal, I guess not; I live in a one-story house." 

 Why ? What has that to do with the matter ? 

 "Wal you see, I keep my seed corn up garret, and I 

 don't want to lose it." 



No. Well you don't want to keep your fowls up gar- 

 ret do you? 



"Oh ! Bless your soul no !" 

 What then? I don't see your objection." 

 "Don't see! No Sir, can't that tarnal great long- 

 legged rooster stand on the ground and eat corn out of 

 the garret window? You don't catch me with such a 

 beast on my farm. Improve my poultry. Ha? Why, I 

 would'nt cross that critter upon anything except a she 

 jackass ; and a darnation mean one at that. Faith ! The 

 hens look as though they were of that breed — I'm sure 

 the owners are — they're all stern;" and with that sage 

 observation he walked off with the air of a man whose 

 dignity had been highly offended, with the idea that a 

 gentleman of his appearance of good sense, should be 

 offered a Shanghae cock to improve his stock of poultry ; 

 which, as I afterwards learned of him, consisted of some 

 choice Jersey blues, a few brown Dorkings, and a good 

 stock of yellow-legged Dominiques; also a few Bantams, 

 to please the children, "Which, says he, "I would not give 

 for the whble tentful of long-legged monstrosities, like 

 these ugly brutes. What if they do weigh 12 or 15 lbs. 

 a piece? They cost more than turkeys of the same 

 weight, and are not half so good. Look into the Boston 



