The Shasta courier., 1859-09-10
-.----.
Backing Down.

A Kentucky correspondent tells of fellow in
his neighhorhood who was one day boasting
about the feetness of his horse, and declared
that he could outrun anything which went upon
four legs. bystander disputed it, and said be
had mule which could beat him.
A mule p said the boaster-" I'll bet you q
hundred dollars of that"
Done !" said the other.
'Done n said the boaster.
Now cover that" said the owner of the mule,
laying down hundred dollars.
The boaster began to be frightened at this
He thought there must be something more about
the mule than he was aware OF, otherwise his
owner wouldn't plank hundred dollars to run
him against a horse. He began to hitch about
uneasily He pnt his hand in his pocket; he pulled
it out again; and at last said: :" don't know
about that tarnal mule; he may be the devil
and all TO run for what know"
ado you back out, .hen?"
"Yes, l back out and treat" So saying, he
called in the liquor but declared that his horse
could beat anything which went upon four legs,
except the mule
"Why," said the other, 'I'ye got jackass that
will beat him"
am bet hundred dollars of that" said the
boaster
"Done p responded the other and " Done !"
said the boaster.
Cover that" said the man, again putting
down the hundred dollars.
"Cover that" exclaimed the boaster-" SO
will plaguy quick'-taking out his pocket
book.
"Well, cover it if you dare-and III put ano-
ther hundred atop of it. Why do you hesitate?
| Down with your dust, | say"
! n don't know. never saw that jackass of
yours run" said the boaster, beginning to fall
ter-'' he may be great fellow on a race for
what know"
"Do you funk then 2"
ayes, yf.immur 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 p
% think So"
Why, if you're not.quite certain, I'll bet you
something that I've got a niger that will outrun
him.
"a nigger"
Yes, my nigger Tom will beat him"
"Ill bet hundred dollars of that. There
amt no nigger that ever breathed that can beat
my horse"
Every well-cover that" As he said this, the
man once more put down the hundred dollars
But said he, Z" if you back out this time, you
shall forfeit ten dollars, and if back out I'll do
the same"
agreed" said the boaster-'T I'm sure my
morse can beat your Niger if he can't your
mule and jackass"
" Well, plank the money ifyou please"
:" Plank it, so | will-don't you fear that
Saying this, he more took out his pocket
book, and began to tumble for the money.
"Come, man, down with your dust" said the
other, taking out more money" for I'm ready
to back my bet with another hundred dollars
or two hundred if yon like. Come why do you
hesitate? Here's three hundred dollars I'm rea-
dy to stake"
"Three hundred dollarsl" exclaimed the
boaster, staring wildly about him" three hun
dred dollars upon niggerl l don't know, 1
swan"
"What, man you're not going to get fright
ened again ?'
Frightened Oh, no-oh, no-it's no easy
matter to frighten me-but really"
You mean to back out"
81 declare, neighbor, don't know what to
think about it. Its kind O. risky business"
" "You forfeit the ten dollars, then?"
"Why, yes, 'spose must" said the boaster,
handing over the money with an air of great
mortifcntion-" better lose this than more-for
there's no knowing how fast these niggers will
run. But anything else you can bring except
the mule, the jackasS and the niger; I'm ready
to against"