St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1869-05-21
From the Buffalo Commercial.
4 Mule Ride IN Florida.

you line and ask what you were ''adoin
Of" about these days. Well, Pm down
here in Florida pe,cotatiny through the
sand. This state is Il heap of SANDAL
sand-much of it as white as snow. a
very quiet state is Florida. No hustle.
No confusion Nobody in hurry. To-
morrow is as good as to-day to do any
thing, and better. Time is of no ac-
count The climate is glorious, just one
beautiful day after another till you fail
to appreciate them. Thermometer seven
ty to cightv-ive. \ pleasant breeze
from the ocean every day.
We got along very well are as well
situated so far as living is concerned, as
we can be in the South. We don't get
milk, and drink our tea and coffee with
out. The coffee is fair all through the
South better than at the hotels North
but there we stop. The food, cooking,
Nc., are entirely different. We have
green peas, and Strawberries are coming
around some. The gardens are late this
spring bananas are growing, and some
, pine apples. Located here, with our
own house, and Northern way Of doing
things, it would be a delightful climate
to spend the winter in. We get splendid
oysters, and all kinds of game, but not
any beef. They don't raise it in this
country Wha! they call beef is tougher
than belt leather.
The bows insisted that | needed relax
alton. Ny health required it, | had
pretty fair article of health, | thought;
enough to last me rs LONG as | lived.
But | must accumulate a stock for future
Use. The South was the place to get it.
And ridin- was healthy. The sand is
too deep to ride, except on horseback, 50
| thought | would take ride | appH-
ed to the livery man for 4 horse He
had one. He looked sorruwtully at me,
as enough he pltJid iae. Did / me> el
ride mule l never had. He had a.
good riding horses As were ever ssddled
but If | wanted Rock Me to SleeE
Mother style of ride, | would take 4
mule. | don't consider myself first,
class Judge of mules. | had some Vague
notions i'll regard to them; supposed
they would do large amount OF work
with very little feed, and were immortal.
| had read of one being driven over the
same route Jy tie >0ac toy for eighty-seven
wears, and he was young mule yet.
Bring forth the mule. The mule was
brought He was meek looking cuss
a perfect "Uriah lIeep' of mule, so
far As Il mbleneSs' was concerned. At
least that was the view took of him.
He was saddIed, and | mounted. For a
mile or two he paced beautifully.
thought those old monks l had read
about knew what they were doing when
they Travelled on mules. L had high
respect for their judgment. Just then
nv mule began 10 show symptoms
symptoms of what did not know. |
found out. Dropping his head between
his legs, his heels described 4 parabolic
curve, or diaboic curve, or some other
Internal curve, in the air, and | got Oft
and sat on the ground. l got off over
his head, and | did it quick. I'm not 50
old but can get off 4 animal of that
kind rs quick as boy. Then looked
at the mule to see if he was hurt. lie
didn't appear to be. Then | inquired
around to see how | was. lreported an
abrasion on the left hip, and Il confusion
ON the lower end Of my back. Then
Thought | would pronounce a left-hand-
ed blessing on the mule, and on bhis fore
fathers and toremothers before him, and
on his children after him. But | didn't.
wondered he would stand fire. If
had had pistol, would have put the
muzzle to his ear, and tried him. Not
that | was hostile toward him, but wa:
afraid somebody might take Il ride OIL
him some day anc get hurt. But | haC
no pistol, SO that benevolent and san
urinary idea was frustrated. Then
got up and shook the dust off my feet
and brushed the sand off my trousers, a,
testimony against that place. TEen
led the mule carefully home, and stated
my case TO the livery man. But wher
asked that he should offer to send for 3
doctor, or 4 Samaritan, to do me up in 4
rag, and pour olive oil and champaign
on my bruise, he only laughed. AnC
his man that he had to hclp p him, laiC
down on a bench and laughed-then h,
rolled off the bench aud laughed. Ii
was ridiculous. But I've learned littl,
wisdom. Next time ride on horseback
it will be different kind of beast from
a bogus Jackass. J. Il. 5.