The History of The Hen Fever Part 4

He had a tender spot _somewhere_, that I had hit, during the conversation, I presume. He took the two chickens into his carriage, and I have never seen or heard from him from that day to this. I trust, however, if "these few lines" should ever meet his eye, that his poultry turned out well, and that he himself is in good health and spirits!

I called this gallant young c.o.c.k "Frank Pierce," in honor of my valiant friend now of the White House, at Was.h.i.+ngton. It will be seen that I thus sold Frank for fifty dollars; a sum which the majority of the people of this country have since most emphatically determined was _a good deal more than he ever was worth_!

CHAPTER VIII.

THE FEVER WORKING.

About this time an ex-member of Congress, formerly from Pennsylvania, was invited to deliver the address before one of the county agricultural societies of that state (where the fever had now begun to spread with alarming rapidity), who, in the course of his speech on that occasion, delivered himself of the following pointed and forcible remark.

Speaking of poultry and the rare qualities of certain domestic fowls, he said, "Ladies and gentlemen, next to a beautiful woman, and an honest farmer, I deem a Shanghae c.o.c.k the n.o.blest work of G.o.d!"

Now, this expression might be looked upon, by some persons, as savoring of demagogism, or, at the least, as an approach to "running this thing into the ground" (or into the air); but the honorable gentleman no doubt felt just what he said. I have seen many sensible men who felt worse than this--a good deal--on this self-same subject; and who expressed themselves much more warmly in regard to the characteristics and beauties of domestic poultry; but, to be sure, it was _after_ they had "gone through the mill," and had come out at the _small_ end of the funnel.

In New England, especially, prior to the _second_ show of poultry in Boston, the fever had got well up to "concert pitch;" and in New York State "the people" were getting to be very comfortably interested in the subject--where _my_ stock, by this time, had come to be pretty extensively known.

The expenses attendant upon this part of the business, to wit, the process of furnis.h.i.+ng the requisite amount of information for "the people" (on a subject of such manifestly great importance), the _quantum sufficit_ in the way of drawings, pictures, advertis.e.m.e.nts, puffings, etc., through the medium of the press, can be _imagined_, not described.

The cost of the drawings and engravings which I had executed for the press, from time to time, during the years 1850, '51, '52, and '53, exceeded over eight hundred dollars; but this, with the descriptions of my "rare" stock (which I usually furnished the papers, accompanying the cuts), was _my_ chosen mode of advertising. And I take this method publicly to acknowledge my indebtedness to the press for the kindness with which I was almost uniformly treated, while I was thus seriously affected by the epidemic which destroyed so many older and graver men than myself; though few who survived the attack "suffered" more seriously than I did, during the course of the fever. For instance, the large picture of the fowls which I had the pleasure of sending to Her Majesty Queen Victoria (in 1852), and which appeared in _Gleason's Pictorial_, the _New York Spirit of the Times_, _New England Cultivator_, &c., cost me, for the original drawing, engraving, electrotyping, and duplicating, _eighty-three dollars_.

All these expenses were cheerfully paid, however, because I found my reward in the consciousness that I performed the duty I owed to my fellow-men, by thus aiding (in my humble way) in disseminating the information which "the people" were at that time so ravenously in search of, namely, as to the person of whom they could obtain (without regard to price) the _best_ fowls in the country.

This was what "the people" wanted; and thus the malady extended far and wide, and when the fall of 1850 arrived, buyers had got to be as plenty as blackberries in August, whilst sellers "of reputation" were, like the visits of angels, few and far between. _I_ was, by this time, considered "one of 'em." I strove, however, to carry my honors with Christian meekness and forbearance, and with that becoming consideration for the wants and the wishes of my fellow-men that rendered myself and my "purely-bred stock" so universally popular.

Ah! when I look back on the past,--when I reflect upon the n.o.ble generosity and disinterestedness that characterized all my transactions at that flush period,--when I think of what I did for "the cause," and how liberally I was rewarded for my candor, my honesty of purpose, and my disingenuousness,--tears of grat.i.tude and wonder rush to my eyes, and my overcharged heart only finds its solace by turning to my ledger and reading over, again and again, the list of prices that were then paid me by "the people," week after week, and month after month, for my "magnificent samples" of "pure-bred" Cochin-China chickens, the original of which I had imported, and which were _said_ to have been bred from the stock of the Queen of Great Britain.

But, the Mutual Admiration----I mean, the "Society" whose name was like

"Lengthened sweetness, long drawn out,"

was about to hold its second annual exhibition; and, as the number of its members had largely increased, and as each and all of those who pulled the wires of this concern (while at the same time they were pulling the wool over the eyes of "the people") had plans of their own in reference to details, I made up my mind, although I felt big enough to stand up even in this huge hornet's nest of compet.i.tion, to have things to suit _my_ "notions."

I _now_ had fowls to sell! I had raised a large quant.i.ty of chickens; winter was approaching, corn was high, they required shelter, the _roup_ had destroyed scores of fowls for my neighbors, and I didn't care to winter over three or four hundred of these "splendid" and "mammoth"

specimens of ornithology, each one of which could very cleverly dispose of more grain, in the same number of months, than would serve to keep one of my heifers in tolerable trim.

Such restrictions were proposed by the officers of the Society with the lengthened cognomen, that my naturally democratic disposition revolted against the arbitrary measures talked of, and I resolved to get up an exhibition of my own, where this matter could be talked over at leisure, and which I did not doubt would "turn an honest penny" into my own pocket; where, though I had done _well_ thus far, there was still room, as there was in hungry Oliver Twist's belly, for "more."

[Ill.u.s.tration]

CHAPTER IX.

THE SECOND POULTRY-SHOW IN BOSTON.

On the 2d, 3d, and 4th days of October, in the year of our Lord 1850, the "grand exhibition" (so the _Report_ termed it), for that year, came off at the large hall over the Fitchburg Railroad Depot, in Boston, "which proved a most extensive and inviting one" (so continued the Report), "far exceeding, both in _numbers_ and in the _quality_ of specimens offered, anything of its kind ever got up in America.

"The birds looked remarkably fine in every respect, and the undertaking was very successful. A magnificent show of the feathered tribe greeted the thousands of visitors who called at the hall, and all parties expressed their satisfaction at the proceedings.

"The Committee awarded to George P. Burnham, of Melrose, the _first_ premiums for fowls and chickens. The prize birds were the '_Royal Cochin-Chinas_' and their progeny, which have been bred with care from his imported stock; and which were generally acknowledged at the head of the list of specimens."

The prices obtained at this exhibition ranged very high, and "full houses" were constantly in attendance, day and evening, to examine and select and purchase from the "pure-bred" stock there. "Mr. Burnham, of Melrose" (continued the Report), "declined an offer of $120 for his twelve premium Cochin-China chickens, and subsequently refused $20 for the choice of the pullets."

"The show was much larger than the first one, and the character of the birds exhibited was altogether finer, though the old fowls were, for the most part, moulting. A deep interest was manifested in this enterprise, and it went off with satisfaction to all concerned," added the Report.

In order that the details of this experiment (which _I_ projected and carried through, myself) may be appreciated and understood, I extract from the "official" Report the following items regarding this show, the expenses, the prize-takers, &c.

The "Committee of Judges," consisting of myself, G.P. Burnham, Esq., and a gentleman of Melrose, made the following statements and "observations," in the _Report_ above referred to:

"The Exhibition was visited by full ten thousand persons, during the three days mentioned. The amount of money received for tickets was four hundred and seventy-three dollars and thirty-eight cents; and the following disburs.e.m.e.nts were made:

Cash paid for rent of hall, $175.00 " " amount of premiums and gratuities, 135.00 " " for lumber and use of tables, 17.60 " " for lighting hall, advertising, etc., 70.40 " " tickets, cards and handbills, 18.21 " " carpenters and attendants, 27.50 " " police and door-keepers, 15.00 " " grain, seed, buckets, pans, etc., 25.56 " " coops, cartage and sundries, 7.37 ------ Total expenses, $491.64 Amount received, as stated, 473.38 ------ Deficit, $18.26"

When the state of the funds was subsequently more particularly inquired into, however, it was found that the amount of money actually received at the door was a little rising _nine_ hundred and seventy dollars, instead of "_four_ hundred and seventy-three," as above quoted. But this was a trifling matter; since the "Committee of Judges" spoken of above accounted for this sum, duly, in the final settlement.

The "Committee" aforesaid awarded the following premiums at this show, after attending to the examination confided to them--namely:

"_First_ premium, for the best six fowls contributed, to _George P.

Burnham_, of Melrose, Ma.s.s., $10.

"For the three best Cochin-China Fowls (Royal), to _George P. Burnham_, Melrose, Ma.s.s., $5.

"For the twelve best chickens, of this year's growth (Royal Cochin-China), to _George P. Burnham_, Melrose, $5."

And there were some _other_ premiums awarded, I believe, there, but by which I was not particularly benefited; and so I pa.s.s by this matter without further remark, entertaining no doubt whatever that all the gentlemen who were awarded premiums (and who obtained the amount of the awards) exhibited at the Fitchburg Hall Show _pure_-bred fowls.

After making these awards, the "Committee of Judges" (consisting, as aforesaid, of myself, Mr. Burnham, and a fancier from Melrose) state that "they find great pleasure"--(mark this!)--"they find great pleasure in alluding again to the splendid contributions" of some of the gentlemen who had fowls in this show,--and then the Report continues as follows:

"The magnificent samples of _Cochin-China_ fowls, contributed by G.P.

Burnham, of Melrose, were the theme of much comment and deserved praise.

These birds include his imported fowls and their progeny--of which he exhibited nineteen splendid specimens. To this stock the Committee unanimously awarded the _first_ premiums for fowls and chickens; and finer samples of domestic birds will rarely be found in this country.

They are bred from the Queen's variety, obtained by Mr. Burnham last winter, at heavy cost, through J. Joseph Nolan, Esq., of Dublin, and are unquestionably, at this time, the finest thorough-bred Cochin-Chinas in America."

My early hen-friend the "Doctor"--alluded to in the opening chapter of this book--exhibited a fowl which the "Committee" thus described in their report:

"The rare and beautiful imported _Wild India Game_ hen, contributed by Mr. B.F. Griggs, Columbus, Geo., was a curiosity much admired. This fowl (lately sold by Dr. J.C. Bennett, of Plymouth, to Mr. Griggs, for $120) is thorough game, without doubt; and her progeny, exhibited by Dr.

Bennett, were very beautiful specimens. To this bird, and the '_Yankee Games_' of Dr. Bennett, the Committee awarded a gratuity of $5."

So miserable a _hum_ as this was, I never met with, in all my long _Shanghae_ experience. It out-bothered the Doctor's famous "Bother'ems,"

and really out-_Cochined_ even my noted Cochin-Chinas! But I was content, _I_ was one of the "Committee of Judges." I had forgot!

This Committee's Report was thus closed:

"It has been the aim of the Committee to do _justice_ to all who have taken an interest in the late Fowl Exhibition, and they congratulate the gentlemen who have sustained this enterprise upon its success."