The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1862-03-20

what did you say, Squire ?"
Il sal ID give hundred dollars to get tina
mule back, but 'spose thrco hundred would mt &c
bini."
al don't know" said Jack, abstractedly and b,
looked In the fire for 1--WE minutes more. suddenl,
Jack Frightened up, and said .r.t.
"Giye me the hundred dollars, SQUIRE. and III
bring you your mule tomorrow night, or your none,
shall be returned"
The Squire looked amazed at jack for moment
but seeing he was in earnest put five double gle,
in his hand. In few minutes Jack eft the house
dressed in linsey panis, red wamus, and a coon
skin cap. .a ..
Next day as Jack was walking leisurely up thC
road, by coincidence, probably brought about by
himself, he met the Quartermaster and his men
returning with the proceeds Of the expedition Jacl
smiled happy smile, when he saw Blife behind
the rest, leading the Squire's mule. He walked
quietly along until he came almost opposite the
| QuaTtermaster when he darted suddenly off thu
side of the road, looking at the mule as if frighten
| ed.
| Blasted scoundre |" exclaimed Jack
"Who! who is a blasted scoundrcl?" asked the
Quartcrmaster. ....... sd .
Jack, moving still farther out of his reach
"fes; but who did you say was a blasted scoun-
drel?" inquired the Quartcrmaster, very naturally
taking all such compliments to himself
"Why, old Bailey, and the mule too, for that
matter" replied Jack.
+" What's the matter with the mule?" asked
Billie, whose former occupation had not made him
much Of judac of live stock -''
.T,t
The matter! Why he'll kill you arore you get
him home. You didn't pay the old sinner anything
for him, did you?" inquired Jack.
Certainly, paid two hundred and fifty dollars
for him." This is what the sacrificing patriot in
tended to return him at, to his glorious Conedcr-
acy.
"I'ord mcrcy!" exclaimed Jack.
But what's the matter with him ?" asked Blifie
| looking at the animal half frightened
That ere mule" replied Jack, "has kicked
down, in his time, every panel of fence on old
Bailcy's place! You found him in pen of big
logs, didn't You're
"fes, why?" inquired Blife.
"And them logs are fastened by big Iron
bolts Its the only thing that would ever hold
him. He has killed all the rest of old Bailey's
stock and the old rascal has kept him on purpose to
%. heard" snid BIifc, that he used to have
more stock"
"Thats what become of it," said Jack "Didn't
the children cry and didn't old Bailey whine and
carry on about losing his three hundred dollar
mule 20
"lcs, they did, al great rate"
al knowed it," said Jack. "The old woman
spanked them children, and sent them out at the
nick Of time to help the old rasca! in his swinde
And to cheat glorious Confcderacy in that man
ner! He ought to be hung!" and Jack winkcd his
Off eye.
"But if he's so vicious" said Blife hopefully,
chow did they get the halter and cirsnge on him -
Chloroform, sir, chloroGorm. I've actually seen
that mule kick his collar off,"
"And did they give him chloroform to get the
collar on him ?" asked Blifc.
"No!" replied Jack. "They put some oats in
the bottom of barrel, and laid the collar across
the top, the mule run his head through the collar
to get at the oats"
The devil!" calculated the Quartcrmastcr.
"Yes," continued Jack, and seed him kick
that collar off. Ever since that he kicks every
barrel to slaves that he gets eyes on"
But he has seemed quiet enough since have
been leading nm, lnterposed Billie.
"Hev you any liquor about you 20 asked Jack.
eyes, a little in my coat pocket why do you
ask?"
"That's what he folcrs you for, and its a won
der he hain't eat you up body and breeches af re
this to get the liquor. knowed that mule to kick
the lock off of old Baileys cellar door, and go down
thar and git as drurk beast. Fact, sir. That
mule can kick your hat off, and you on his back"
That can't be so,' said the Quarterniaster in
credulously.
"Try him." said Jack. "I've iist got cool
hundred dollars to give you if you'll ride him a
rod"
BY this time the Quartermaster's attendants had
got out of sight, and his avaricious soul promptsd
him to make effort to get Jacks gold, thinking
he couldn't be more than thrown of, anyhow
The night before this meeting, Jack had quietly
stolen into the mules stable, and carefully placed
leather dog-collar driven full of pointed sparrow
bills, under the mules cirsingle, putting piece of
light leather between the points of the nails and
the mules back, so that moderate pressure would
force them through into the animals hide.
Ignorant of this, the greedy Quartermaster NOV
ed the mule to the bank, and sprang on him just
where the dog-collar was placed Just as he lit
on the mule, boulder lit on his head, and he lit
sprawling in the mud. The mule, frantic with the
pain of the nails st II sticking in his back, sprang
off the road, knocked down dozen panels of fence,
and ran furiously across the field rearing, kicking,
laying down and rolling over, jumping up, and
plunging about at a terrible rate.
al told you so," said Jack tcoolly, as the Quar-
termaster scrambled up, rubbing Lis bruised head, /,
and brushing at the mud on his besmeared clothes
"He's worse than seven devils. aint he7" said
the discounted Quartermaster.
In course he is," replied Jack.
"What'n you give me for the chance of him 2"
asked the Quartermaster, as he saw another string
of fence go down before the maddened mule.
"Don't know" said Jack "the halter might be
wort, dollar or SO, if could get close enough to
shoot him before be tears it all to shortstripgs."
But where's my horse ?" asked the Quarter
master, looking around in astOnishment.
"Don't know" replied Jack the mule gave
him hyste with his heels, jist as he started, and
haven't seed the hoss since"
al wish the devil had old -"
" Hello Quartermaster /" shouted man in Sc
cesh uniform, who was coming up the road at the
top of his speed; "hello Mr.. Quartermaster the
enemy is coming right down on our camp. and the
General wants you Immediately. Our armyis run
ming like all possest, and the General wants you to
beIp save the plunder Hurry back as hard as you
ruu. or the enemy v4ll ks bstwixed you and our
tsllsss."