Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-02-04
DIAMOND CUT DIAMOND.


DIAMOND CUT DIAMOND.
They say money makes the mare goi but
Uncle John had Il mare once that at times all
the world wouldn't move an inch. She
neat animal, and could trot at a spanking pace,
too, whenever she felt inclined; but that wasn't
every day by jug-full. S"Old Muley," as
Uncle John called her, would go along very
well for awhile, until something would disturb
her equauimity, when all at once she would
come to a dead halt, and there she would stay
until she got tired or hungry. You might
have coaxed till doomsday to no purpose, and
for beating, at the first crack of the whip up
would fly her heels, then look out for the DASH
er, (if she was attached to wagon,) and your
selves too. Out Of that you would be obliged
to come, to dead certainty, or remain to
have your brains kicked out. Uncle John
bought her from person who sold her for
want of use, at what he considered bargain,
but he soon found out that the bargain was
over on the other side. Unfortunately for
the old gentleman, Muley was in a good mood
at the time, and the money $4,000 was paid
and received with apparent satisfaction by
both parties to the transaction, and Muley put
her best foot foremost, and soon landed Uncle
John safe at home. He was delighted with
his purchase. The mare was just the animal
he had been looking for some time, and he
retired to bed that night under the firm con-
viction that he had at last succeeded in get
ting horse entirely to his liking; but he was
doomed to bitter disappointment.
1t was decided that was to take her out
no ~ IN tsSf hor
Jim the ostler was ordered to bring her out !;
but Muley wouldn't stir peg, not She; she
was pltted and coaxed, but she declined NOV
ing, most doggedly. The whip was resorted
to, which brought out only her kicking propen-
sites to the fullest extent. Uncle John swore /;
''What william that horse Jockey ISL said ne !;
sshe gave me his word ofhonor, a man, that
she was kind and gentle q lamb; if l ever
come across him l will horscwhip him-if
don't, then horsewhip me- and he fumed
again, but it was no use Muley was determin-
ed to stay where she was, and we were obli
ged to let her stay until the latter part Of the
afternoon, when she very condcscendingly
walked out and kindly permitted herself to be
harnessed to the light wagon, when Uncle
John and got in, and she started off finely,
and we anticipated pleasant drive; but as we
were passing a small bridge over a creek,
about mile from the house, inadvertently
touched her with the whip on the flank, to dis
lodge fly, when bang went her heels through
the dasher. We leaped out in less than no
time, as matter of course, and confound her,
she brought up all standing to an anchor, as
the sailors say there she was right in the cen
ire of the bridge, so that nothing in the shape
OF wagon could pass us on either side; here
was q predicament. Vehicle after vehicle
came up. and the people in them became i'm
patient. at last we got rope from a teamster
who was waiting to pass over the bridge, and
made it fast around her neck.
'FOut of that she mnst come," said Uncle
JolI2, '.dead or alive. Now, Mr.. Teamster
havesh che goodness to put couple of your best
horses to that rope, and If she don't come pull
her neck OFF,
The horses were hitched-crack went the
whip, and Muley found out that if She must
she must, and ran from the bridge into the
road. The blockade having been raised, the
feet parted; not so Muley; there she re-
mained until nightfall, when prudence whs-
pSISu W ''oalos hHSH, BiISnib5 up
cars, with neigh, she off in smart trot
for home, which we reached safely, no thanks
TO Muley though.
The following morning we tried her again,
and to Our agreeable surprise she started beau
tifully, and kept along in fine style, when we
overlook gentleman in York wagon, going
along quite leisureiy and behind what we took
to be fine looking mare. Holding up lit
tie to examine more particularly, we were ac-
costed by the inmate of the wagon with:
'sThat's fine looking mare of yours, sir ~
eyes," said Uncle John, "and she's as fine
as she looks-that's not a bad looking mare
you have there, either.'
"Can't well be beaten; capital mare, sir,
though I must say it myself. Would like TO
buy your horse-make good match for one
have at home-like to trade, sir 2''
ssWeu,'' said Uncle John, ''my mare suits
me but if | can make anything by the opera
/ ton. that might alter the case if you warrant
your mare kind and sound, and give me fifty
! dollars to boot, it's a trade"