Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1862-05-21

"Chloroform, sir, chloroform. I've actual
ly seen that mule kick his collar off"
"And did they give him ohloroform to gel
the collar on him ?" asked BHfe.
"No," replied Jack They put some oats
in the bottom of a barrel, and laid the collar
across the top; the mule ran his head through
the collar to get the oats"
The devilT calculated the quartermaster
Yes, continued Jack. " And I 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 him" interposed BHfe.
Have you any liquor about your" asked
Jack.
"Yes, little IN my coat pocket; why dc
you ask Z"
That's what he follers you for, and it's
wonder he hadn't eat you up oody ant
breeches afore this, to get the liquor.
knowed that mule to kick the lock off ole
Bailey's cellar door and go down there anG
get as drunk as beast. Fact, that mule can
kick your hat of, and you on his back"
That can't be so, said the quartermaster
incredulously.
"Try him." said Jack. "Tve just got a
cool hundred dollars to give you if you will
ride him a rod"
By tbs time the quartermaster's attendants
had got out Of sight, and his avaricious soul
prompted him to make an effort to get Jacks
gold, thinking he couldn't be more than
thrown off anyhow.
The night before this meeting. Jack had
quietly stolen into the mules stabbed, and
carefully placed leather dog-collar driven
full of pointed sparrowbills, under the cir
cingle, putting a piece of light leather be-
tween 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
moved 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
sticking in his back, sprang off the side Of
the road, knocked down a dozen panels Of
fence, and ran furiously across the fields, rear
ing, kicking laying down and rolling over.
jumping up, and plunging about at terrible
rate.
4" 1 told you 50" said Jack, coolly as the
quar:ermaster scrambled up, rubbing his bruis-
ed head, and brushing at the mud on his be-
smeared clothes.
Hes worse than seven devils, amt he p
said the discomftted quartermaster.
In course he Is, replied Jack
Whatm you give for the chance of him?7
asked the qparlermaster, as he saw another
string of fence go down before the mad
mule.
Don, know" said Jack; ':the halter might
he worth a dollar or 80 if could get close
enough to shoot him before he tears it all to
shoesuings'
But where's my horse p asked the quar-
termaster, looking round in astonishment
Don't know" replied Jack; the mule
give him histe with his heels just as he
started and I haven't seed the hoss since"
Il wish tie devil had old"
Hello quar;ermasterI shouted a man in
secesh uniform, who was coming up the road
at the top Of his speed; " the enemy is com
ing right down on our camp and the general
wants you Immediately. Our army is run
ming like all possest and the general wants
you to help save the plunder. Hurry back
as hard as you can run, or the enemy will be
betwiXt you and our feIlers"
Billie waited to hear no more, but broke
for his camp like quarter-horse When he
arrived and found that the story was all false,
terrible was the vengeance he vowed but
before he had time to execute his threats,
Floyd's army was in remote part of the
state.
It is hardly necessary to add that the mes
seuger. who sent the quartermaster off 50 pre-
clpltately was an associate Of Jacks and that
Jack had turned the quartermaster's horse
with his head up the road, and by sharp
cat with whip sent him out of sight before
BTfe recovered from his confusion.
Squire Bailey got his mule again, little the
worse for Jacks tricks, and he is as quiet and
useful an animal as there is in all the county.
The double eagles Jack returned with the
mule, taking the quartermaster's horse az
compensation for his service.
Jack Phillips says he would like to have an
Of inquiring Of the seIfacriGcing
patriot of the glorious Conlederacy, whether
it hurt much when the mule kicked his hat of.