Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1848-09-13
Running down tbs BeaSler.

A country fellow who was once boasting
about the swiftness of his horse, declared
that he could outrun anything which went
upon four legs. A neighbor of his dispu-
ted it, and said he had mule which could
beat him.
Done said the other. .
Done said the boaster.
Now cover that, said the owner Of the
mule, laying down hundred dollars.
The boaster began to feel frightened at
this. He thought there must be something
more aboat the mule than he was aware OF,
otherwise his owner wouldn't plank hun.
dred dollars, to run him against horse.
He began to hitch about uneasily. He put
his hand into his pocket; he pulled it out
again; and at last he said Il don't know, l
swow, about the tarnal mule; he may be
the devil and all to run for what fknow.
Do you back out then?
Yes, back out and treat. So saying be
called in the liquor; but declared that his
horse could beat any thing which went upon
four legs, except the mule.
Why, said the other Pve got jackass
that will beat him.
III bet a hundred dollars of that, said
the boaster.
Done! said the other.
And Done! said the boaster.
Cover that said the man, again putting
down.
Cover that! exclaimed the boaster, so
will plaguy quick, taking out his pocket
book.
Well, cover it if you dare and I'll put
another hundred atop of it. Why do you
hesitate? Down with your dust, l say.
l don't know faith never saw that
jackass of yours run, said the boaster, be-
ginning to hesitate, he may be the devil and
all on race for what know.
Do you funk thenl
Yes, funk this time; but by jingo,
there's nothing else you can bring, except
the jackass and mule, but what my horse
can beat.
Are you certain of that, my good fellow!
1 think so, faith!
Why, if you are not quite certain. I'll
bet you something that I've got niger
that will outrun him.
A niger!
Yes my nigger Tom will beat him.
I'll bet hundred dollars of that-thers
aint no niger that over breathed that can
beat my horse.
Very well, cover that. As he said this
the man put down hundred dollars, but, SAID
he, il you back out this time, you shall for
felt ten dollars; nm if back out I'll do the
same.
Agreed, said the boaster, I'm sure my
horse can beat niger, if he can't mule
or jackass.
Well, plank your money if you please
Plank it! so will-don't you fear that.
Saying this, he once more took out his pock-
et-book md began to tumble for the money.
Come, man, down with your dust, said
the other, taking out moro noney,-ior i
am ready to back my bet with another num-
dred dollars-or two hundred if you like.
Come, why do you hesitate! Here's three
hundred dollars I've ready for stake.
Three hundred dollars? exclaimed the
boaster, starting like stuck Pig; three
hundred dollars upon niger! don't
know, | swan.
What, man! you are not going to be
frightened again!
Frightened! Oh, no-oh, no-its no.
easy matter 10 lFfShIeh We-ou1 ToaiAy-
You mean TO back outl
declare, neighbor, don't know what 70
think about it. Its kind o'risky business.
You forfeit the ten dollars, thens
Why, yes, 'spose must, said tho boast.
er, handing over the money, with an air OF
great mortifcation-better loose this than
more-for there's no knowing how fast .
these blamed niggers will run. But any
thing else YOU can bring except the mule,
the jackass, and the niger, Pm ready to
run against.