The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1872-12-20

tend the meeting, scene that took
place before Its assembling must have
routed 1t completely. That scene will
last, in the memory of those who saw
1t, as long as life remains. 1t occurred
on the verge of the town, ,and came n lear
spelling all interest In our own circus.
Six negroes, on the com mon road, op.
posite blacksmith's shop, for over an
hour were trying to persuade young,
tall, robust country mule to allow him.
self to be shod. They put rope collar
round his neck, and to that attached a
line which, thrown out between his
hind.legs was intended to trip up each
In turn, and hold it In position while
the blacksmith-Sam by name-oper-
ated on the hoof. For over an hour
this extraordinary mule fought the six
men, kicking away the trap laid for his
enslavement as easily as he might a
cobweb, and describing, high up in the
air, forked lightning diagrams with his
heels-a sight fearful to behold. Pant.
ing, yet patient, their hats kicked off
their heads, their shlns bruised, and
their pants torn, the six gallant darkeys
stuck to their supernatural mule until
finally they secured his right hind-leg,
and had his hoof laid on Sam the black
smiths lap, ready for the sacrifice. BY
this time all the surrounding points of
vantage were occup led by spectators,
wrought up to the most intense pitch of
exciteme hutchinson men cheering on
the mule, Maynard men cheering on
the darkeys. Sam the blacksmith was
tall, well-built fellow. He had his
back to the mules head, and was in a
STOPPING position over the hoof. In front
of him, about six feet from the mules
tail Ia perilous distance), was circle of
about twenty darleys, awaiting the
operation of putti the she on, with
the most solemn interest. Never did
mule draw such pious reverence fir ON a
like audience.
"'I'd ha' let him be- said one 'dar's
no use a.fussin' with such a good for
muffin meule as dat
"'Fo' Gadu exclaimed another, In a
low and cautious tone, Il do b'lieve in
| my So de ole debbel hisself is in dat dar
| meule.'
"'Wot you speaks alike dat fo'?' said
third, turning on the previous speak
er. Dat meule hears every tin you say,
and thinks it insultin.' Don't know wed.
der de debbel is in him, but do conse.
quentially b'lieve dar's heap o'kick in
mis- hind-legs still. Guess whoever gets
him will tink SO too. wants my head
insured when Use axed to nurse him. /.
"In the meantime, Sam had his i'm.
plements ready, and an assistant farriel
approached and laid the shoe tenderly
upon the virgin hoof. A nail was insert.
ed, while Sam elevated his hammer tc
deliver the pregnant blow that was to
drive it safely home. 1t was nom ent
of breathless and agonizing suspense
with whites and blacks alike. The latter
anticipated triumph for their race
the former prepared to keep their sides
from splitting asunder. Sans Leg
shook, but he brought down the ham
mer with all his might; and at the sam,
moment an explosion occurred tina
fairly battles description. A trip ham
mer falling on ton-weight of nitro
glycerine, immured in tin box, coult
hardly have produced any more sud
den and bewildering results. Quicke
than thought the mule drew his hint
leg forward, and, spri gjrg 1t bacl
with incredible force, struck the still
STOPPING Sam square ia the bulbou
centre If his hind section, projecting
him forward in the air like a cannon
ball from catapult. AS Sam disappear
ed in space he knocked all the darkey
down in front of him like ninepins
= scattering them over the road in al
directions, and landed himself on to
ofa snake.fence twenty feet away. TIL
roar that went up from the assemble
multitude might have been heard in tn
next county. The mule grew alarmed
took to his heels, and, amid the cheer
. of the johnson party, crossed the cour
I try for home and freedom. Poor Sar
had no shape to him when he came t.
and it will be many lcng day befoi
j. the terminus of his spinal column fol-
: gets that visitation of mule power"