The First Crow Eater

The chaff about eating crow - a dish which is just now in great deinand - springs frota a story in old Kniokerbocker Magazine more tlian aquarter of a century ago. It was the story of a suuimer bonrdinghouse keeper on the Hudsnn and of an indignant patrón. V hen ever the latter ventured to suggest that the spring chicken was rather tough, or tliat ths roast beef must have been cut f 'rom the cow's hoofs, he was directly told that he was entirely " too partickerler," aud the aristocrat of the table and the house could eat anything, even a crow. Tfila settlea the matter for (he time being, but the boarder conviuced agaiñtt liis will, was of the mine opinión still, at all events in regard to thequality of the edibles placed betore him. So often was the remark, "I kin eat anything; I kin eat a crow," brought down on his devoted liead that he finally resolved to try the old man. He went out gunning one day, and pucceeded in bagging a very line fat old crow. He went into the kitchen. and by dint of soft words and filthy lucre induced the cook (o allow him to prepare the crow for the table. He boiled it nieelv, and then it wasn't sueh a bad looking dish. Hi-: heatt misgave him ; the " flinty old paar would eat it afier all. The oook was a Scotch-woman, and used snuff. He bor rowed all she had and sprinkled it liberally over the crow, gave itanolher simmer. and then taking ït on a salver brought it before his hout, saying as he sat it down, " Now, mydear sir, youbavesaida thousand times, if' you have said it once, that you can eat nrow; here is ono very carefully cooked. " It is said the oíd man turned palé for a moment but braced bimself against the back of his chair, and with "I kineatcrow," he began, cutting a good mouthful. He swallowd it, and then preparing for a second onslaucht, he looked hisboarder straight in the eye, while he cjaculated, "I'veeaten crow," and took his second portion. He lifted his hands mechanically as if for a third onslaught, but dropped tbem quickly over th! regum of his stomach, and rising hurriedly and unsteadily, retreated for the door, muttering as he went, " Butdang me if' I hanker arter L"