284 THE HISTORY OF 



up to me, to-day; by a mutual friend of ours. I think we 

 shall find them choice.' 



"'A present, eh?' said the owner, unwittingly. 'A 

 very clever fellow our friend must be, Major. Capital, — 

 really ! ' And as he finally commenced to enjoy the feast, 

 he added, ' I declare they are very fine, and of the most 

 delicious flavor I ever tasted. Juicy, too, — juicy as a 

 canvass-back.' 



" Thus continued the victim, praising the rich excellence 

 of the birds, until at last he had bagged a bottle or more of 

 sparkling Schreider. While chatting over their Sherry, at 

 last, and enjoying the rich aroma of their regalias, the now 

 unlucky owner of the model Shanghaes suddenly said, 



" 'By the way. Major, speaking of fowls, what do you 

 think of my hen-purchase, this morning ? Are n't they good 

 ^uns ? ' 



"'Well, Bill,' rejoined his friend, 'I think they were 

 delicious. And I won't mind if you dine with me every 

 day in the week, provided you can send me up such chick- 

 ens as those ! ' 



"'Such chickens!' exclaimed Bill, astounded, as the 

 thought for the first time flashed upon him that he might 

 possibly now have been dining upon his 'model Shanghaes.' 

 ' Why, Major, what the deuce do you mean ? ' 



" ' Mean ? ' replied the Major ; ' nothing, — only to say 

 — without any intention of disturbing your nerves, — 



