CHAPTER XXVII. 



A GENUINE HUMBUG. 



It was now getting pretty clear to the vision of most of 

 the initiated that the hen fever was in the midst of its height. 

 Buyers with long purses were about, but they were not sc 

 ravenous as formerly. They talked knowingly and cau- 

 tiously, and chose their fowls with more care than formerly ; 

 but still a great many samples were being circulated, and at 

 very handsomely remunerating prices. 



A geip.tlenwilj-looki?tg man called upon me, one day, 



