The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1860-02-01
For the North Iowa Times.
SCENES IN q x . Il 9 A.
MY First Mule Ride.
BY MISS LOrrlE PRADr.

ideas how to shoot musically, in the pleas
ant town of c., in the noble State Of
Georgia. During the summer vacation, my
friend, Lena Grant, invited me to 60 to her
fathers plantation, some fifteen miles from
c., whittier the family were going to
spend two or three weeks, on a sort OF
pleasant tour. Col. Grant was rich in lands
and negroes, also in children, being the
father of twelve-the mother of whom was
portly dame, weighing nearly two hun
dred pounds, though active, energetic, and
fond Of joke as young girl. 1t was in
August, the weather sultry and uncomfort-
able; chills and fever prevailed extensively,
and a very sickly season was apprehended.
One morning, a day or two after our arrival
at the plantation, arose feeling very Ian
guild and chilly, although the sultry close
air gave promise of a very hot day. At
the breakfast table, Mrs. Grant proposed we
should ride on horseback to Mr.. Smiths, a
.ew miles distancc-herself, Lena and T.
to purchase chickens and eggs
but, Mrs. Grant, said l, ''how can we
go on horseback? Col. Grant is going back
to town this morning with the 'Greys,' and
there are no other horses here except
Fairy Iena's pony and especial petO and
we can't all ride her"
"Well," replied Mrs. Grant, chuckling
when said "horseback," 81 indulgel in a
little flight of imagination; zoe must ride
mules, and Lena, of course, would mount
nothing but Fairy"
Now, must confess, Ifelt little dubious
about riding a mule had never tried one
and felt an instructive dread of doing so,
knowing their proverbially undue develop
ment of the bump of firmness, besides, |
felt sick and cold. However, did not OBJ
jcct to the plan, and Mrs. Grant ordered
Sambo to saddle the nags. Directly (Which
in Southern vernacular means half an hour,
more or lcss,) Sambo came, grinning, with
Fairy and the mules-three in number
the third long brute being for Han
nah, Mrs. Grants particular ebony attend
ant, without whom she seldom moved a
hundred yards.
Lena mounted Fairy-a beautiful, spirit
ed little animal, and Mrs. Grant who, albeit
her weight, is an excellent horsewoman, got
on her mule; but l stood and eyed mine
askance, and half resolved, i'll as I felt, to
stay at home alone, rather than trust my
self on the vicious looking brute; but |
caught a mocking glance from Mrs. Grants
oyo, accompanied with the words, "Why,
Jennie, believe you are afraid'' which de-
cided me at once, and I jumped on the mule
without delay, remarking to Mrs. G. that
felt cold, and that had the head ache
She reached out her hand, examined my
finger-nailS, which were bluc-felt my nose,
which was cold as a frog-and then laugh
ed. "Why, Jennie" she exclaimed, you
have got chill! but if that mule don't
trot it out of you and cure you before we
get to Mr.. Smiths, I'm mistaken" Reader,
did you ever have chill? If not, pray
that you may never experience it! My
head ached, ditto my bones, | felt a slight
but very disagreeable nausea but deter
mined to 60 if il killed me, as Mrs. Grant
seemed to think chills SO funny, devoutly
hoping in my heart that she might yet be
in as uncomfortable "fix" as | was in
AS. the sequel will show, my wishes were
granted speedily-a remarkable case of re-
tributive justice, which I've long felt it my
duty to record.
Well, We defiled out of the great front
gate, Col. Grant sarcastically complimcnting
us on our auguat appearance, Lena leading
the way on Fairy, and Hannah bringing up
the rear. For half-a-mile we rode slowly
through shortcut, bride path, till we
should reach the main road. I Jagged be-
hind, feeling as uncomfortable as any poor
mortal ever did. The three ahead seemed
to be plotting conspiracy against my un-
offending self, judging from their backward
glances, full Of mischief, and their chuck
ling. Soon after, we reached the main road,
where my three companions struck into a
canter; l knew nothing of the road, and
had a desperate dread Of being left alone in
those woods-thc resort of runaway nc
groes-where might get lost, (for never
could understand Southern country road, }
So must keep up with them, at all hazards.
By this time my chill had passed, and its
its awful consequent, fever, had commenced
The burning August sun, too, was pouring
its rays down upon my devoted head. That
mules gait was like that of dromcdary's;
and hard to hold to that degree that my
arms were strained with the exertion. Ny
head ached almost to bursting. l felt hot,
wild and sick. However, followed after
my mischievous tormentors, the mule trot-
ting like mad, and as soon as l got within
hailing distance, l called "Oh! Mrs. Grant |!
dump, bump,) Lena (bump) do stop! l
can't ride so fast (bump). This awful mule
bump, bump will be the (bump death Of
me! dump, bump, ad in,initum.) Oh,
mercy! Pm so sick!' Mocking laughter
alone answered my touching appeal, and l
rode on faster, till thought should fall
from the detestable brute's back. Wild
visions glanced through my brain, and felt
as if was possessed Of demon-or RI
ding one! In this style, and in half de-
lirious state, rode on some three or four
miles further. In vain did beseech the
trio to stop. They had no idea l suffered
so much, and half angry at their mischief
and half reckless with fever, at length