Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-09-07
. JOE DUNKIIN.S PONY.
OR, THE WAY HE RUN HIS LEGS OFF!
Bu Zeb Doolittie.

/
/ ny-one of those freaks which sometimes
happen even in the well regulated family of
| Dame Nature. And yet be was anything but
a monster. You could contemplate him, in
fact, with feelings Of pleasure, for more be-
nevolent. good-natured looking quadruped
never ambled upon legs-egs-aye. there's
the rub. Poor Dicks were his only weak
ness. To his otherwise faultless symmetry,
these appendages formed most striking and
ludicrous contrast, there being not more than
six inches of legs from each of the four joints
to the hoofs and when he was in motion,
heaven protect you from weak blood vessels
. or apoplexy.
But Dick was his masters pet and pride
Joe loved him for his very deformity.
The Philosophic and scientific have way
of their own to explain these departures from
the usual course of nature, but Joe, who was
more of a wag than philosopher, and loved
joke better than any treaties on phenomena,
accounted for his fayorite's pedal deficiency
in various ways suiting his narrative to the
verdancy of his auditors.
| On one occasion, when Joe and Dick were
in town. crowd collected TO contemplate this
marvel in horse.fesh ; and as it was g free
gratis exhibition, the size of the assemblage
was proportional TO expenses incurred -
/ Whilst at lis thickest, Joe emerged from
neighboring bar-room, where he had just been
burying his nose in julep, and elbowing his
way TO the focus of attraction, addressed him
| self to the nearest locker on.
"Well, stranger, what do you think of that
crltter he's ole of 'em, amt he p
certainly, most singular creature" re-
/ piled the individual, with his eyes fixed on
the pony's legs; these things happen frequent
| ly, however" sagas.sst -=-les 1...
50 They dos Well, Pl bet you gallon of
MongaheIy agin pint of Jersey lightning.
there amt another case on record" said Joe.
| "Oh, there may not be precise parallel,
but this is one of class of phenomena which
are not at all rare. You have no doubt seen
various montrosities in the animal world. par
taking of the same general characteristics"
| " Exactly, stranger. have seen the Simese
twins. and the two legged r,--besides any
quantity of insects, from bed-bug to boa
constrctor-but | never saw one that run
himself into that predicament yeti" replied
Joe.
"You don't pretend to say that horse run
his legs offs said the individual, incredulous.
ly.
"1 don't pretend to say anything else," re-
sponded Joe, looking the fellow full in the
| eye.
You're joking, guess, my friend" said
the stranger, watching Joe's countenance 10
detect any sly twitch which might indicate a
"saw." But our hero's features were as calm
as mud hole in clear day, and as truthful
in their detail as if he had just kissed the
book and was about stating fact 10 the most
intelligent jury that ever adorned box.
"Tt might have been joke to you. but !
didn't feel funny under the circu instances; l
would have sold myself for two bits, and
thrown in my night shirt, sooner than forfeit
ed my bargain. Why stranger, my life de-
pended upon those legs, and they anere legs,
and there's what was left of 'em when it was
saved"
swell, if that is fact. it is the most re-
markable instance | ever heard Of" said the
stranger, scrutinizing the pony more intensely
than before.
"You don't insinuate I'd lie. do you % said
Joe, turning upon the stranger glance that
implied he was on hand TO back his assertion,
if necessary.
"Not al all, sir, not at ALL" replied the
stranger, sliding off out of range of Joes arm
but if you have no objection, would like
to hear the story"
"Well, if you are anxious, and will stand the
liquor, Til edify you''
$50 it % shouted the crowd in breath
"Give us the yarn, and you shall have liquor
enough 10 swim in.'
You're too kind. gentlemen" said Joe,
looking round with a very placid smile Sc al
though do wade into it pretty deep, have
too great respect for the extract to dirty it by
any such nasty proceedings" -a
"The yarn the yarn tell US all about
the pony!" reiterated the crowd.
'sWell, well,-it's an old saying, give an
inch and you'll take an ELL A minute ago
you wanted to know how his legs were run off,
and now you wish me 10 tell you all about
him. Gentlemen said Joe. shaking his head
slowly, &c that pony's history remains to be
} written. There's more incidents in it than you
could find out in the biggest volume of Baron
} Munchausen or Sinbad the Sailor
! "We'H be perfectly satisfied if you confne
yourself merely TO the legs, this time,'' said
the individual whom Joe had first spoken to.
IS Enough said !'-and Joe squared himself
having by this time brought his imagination
70 the Illuminating point The crowd began
TO press around him uncomfortably tight
which caused Joe to demonstrate.
scrougng on the outside, if you please
This is too much like those good old witch
! craft times. down in Salem, when they put a
chap under cider press and made him &C.
, knowledge the corn whether he would OF
not.'
''Take the sugar hogshead, and then we
can see you-like to look at man when BIZ
/ talks" said voice far back among 'sthe PEG
ple.' f.i'+a '= ST.
"There's an enlightened citizen for you
j. he talks like one who attends public meetings
. and knows the price Of putty said Joe, spring
! Ling upon the designated elevation.
D The appearance of his head above the crowt
e was the signal for yell of approval; THU
/. having settled down, Joe proceeded
l.. Gentlemen, there's the pony and here an
/. now form small feature in the story, blu
Y if there be any credit, give it to Dick.
= s. One day-no matter when-l was riding
J. Dick slowly across one of those internal broat
It prairies, dying between Fort Leavenwortl
d and the Rocky Mountains,) and thinking 4
J. bout the probable chances of losing my trap
! and in case met with the Pawnees, when
n low, rumbling noise fell upon my ear, like tn
It muttering of distant thunder. looke1 up
e but there wasn't cloud-,he sky was just a
If blue and quiet as my wife Pelly's eye. So
e couldn't be thunder. 1t might be an earth
If quake. This wasn't very pleasant rehec
N ton, for, as had lived in New Madrid, an
% seen the ground cape some, expected ever
= minute 10 find myself and Dick beautiful
S; buried, without the assistance of undertake
m or sexton.