44 THE HISTORY OF 



went to look at my fowls ; that being the object, he said, of 

 hia visit. 



He examined them all, and said, quietly : 



"I'd like to get half a dozen of these, if they didn't 

 come too high ; but I understand you fanciers have got the 

 price up. I used to buy these chickens for a dollar apiece. 

 Now, they say, you're asking five dollars each for them." 



I showed him my stock, — the " j02<re-bred " ones, — and 

 informed him at once that I had not sold any of my chick- 

 ens, latterly, at less iham forty dollars a pair. 



He was astounded. He did n't want any — much : that 

 is, he wasn't particular. He could buy them for five 

 dollars ; should n't pay that, nohow ; wanted them for his 

 boy ; would come again, and see about it, &c. &c. 



A five-year-old stag mounted the low fence at this 

 moment, and sent forth an electrifying crow, such as would 

 (at that period) have taken a novice " right out of his 

 boots ;" and a beautiful eight-pound pullet showed herself 

 beside him at the same time. The stranger turned round, 

 and said : 



" There ! What is your price for such a pair as that, for 

 instance?" 



" Not for sale, sir." 



" But you will sell them, I s'pose ? " 



" No, sir. I have younger ones to dispose of; but that 

 pair are my models. I can't sell them." 



