Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-10-22
NO. 252.
SHOEING A MULE.

lhe New York Herald's correspondent
With Andrew johnson and the other con.
gresslonal candidates in Tennessee writes:
~ .here had been any sanguinary ILL
ieeling among those who came to attend
the meeting, scene that took place be-
tore it's assembling must have routed it
completely. That scene will last in the
memory of those who saw it as long as
LIE remains. Once in his existence It is
given man of the proper appreciative
ieeling to witness, all Unexpectedly,
something so preeminently comic, or rath-
er comic and tragic at the same time, but
with the element of tragedy contributing
Its whole volume to increase the fun that
all the premeditated drollery Of the stage
sinks into insignificance, beside it. Cam
els in Africa and mustangs in Mexico are
indispensable animals. So is the mule in
our southern country. especially to the ne
groes. The scene about to be described
occurred on the verge of the town and
came near spelling all interest in our own
circus. Six negroes on the common road,
opposite blacksmiths shop, for over an
hour were trying to persuade young,
tall, robust country mule to be shod,
They put a 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 posi-
ton while the blacksmith-Sam by name
operated on the hoof For over an
hour this extraordinary mule fought the
six men, kicking away the trap laid for
his enslayement as easily as he might a
cobweb, and describing high up in the air
forked lightning diagrams with his heels,
sight fearful to behold. Painting, yet
patient, their hats kicked off their heads,
their shins bruised and their pants torn,
the six gallant darkies stuck to that SUPER
natural mue until finally they secured his
right hind leg and had his hoof laid on
Sam the blacksmith's lap ready for the
sacrifice. BY this time all the surround
ing points of vantge were occupied by
spectators wrought up to the most intense
pitch of Observation-Disclosures men cheer
ing on the mule, MAYNARD men cheering
on the darkies Samfhe blacksmith was
tall, well-built fellow. He had his
back to the mules head, and was in
STOPPING position over the hoof. In front
OF him, about six feet from the mules tail
Ga perilous distance) was circle Of about
twenty darkies awaiting the operation of
putting the shoe on with the most solemn
interest. Never did mule draw such
pious reverence from like audience.
I'D ha' let him be-" said one; "dar's
no use afuissn' with such good tor nuf-
! fin meule as dat"
"Fo' God,' exclaimed another in low
and cautious tone, % do b'lieve in nv So
de ole debbel hisself is in dat dar meule."
'Wot you speaks alike dat fo'?" said
third, turning on the previous speaker.
dat meule hears everytin you say and
fipkS IL iuSu1tint nop, y Epn,,r xroJda. ha
debbel is in him; but do consequently
b'lieve dar's heap of kick in his 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 impli-
mcnts ready, and an assistant farrier ap-
preached and laid the shoe tenderly upon
the virgin hoof. A nail was inserted,
while Sam elevated his hammer to deliv-
Ell the pregnant blow that was to drive it
safely home. 1t was a moment of breath
less and agonlzing suspense with whites
and blacks alike. The latter anticipated
triumph for their race the former pre-
pared to keep their sides from splitting
asunder. Sans legs shook, but he
brought down the hammer with all his
might, and at the same moment an explo-
sion occurred that fairly battles description.
A trip hammer falling on a ton weight of
nitro glycerine immured in tin box could
hardly have produced any more sudden
and bewldering results. Quicker than
thought the mule drew his hind leg for
ward, and springing it back with incredi-
bic force, struk the still STOPPING Sam
square in the bulbous centre of his hind
section, projecting him forward in the air
like cannon ball from a catapult AS
Sam disappeared in space he knocked all
the darkies down in front of him like nine
pins, scattering them over the road in all
directions, and landing himself on the top
of snake fence twenty feet away. The
roar that went up from 1.-THE assembled
multitude" might have been heard in the
next county. The mule grew alarmed,
took to his heels, and amid the cheers of
the Johnson party crossed the country
for home and freedom. Poor Sam had
no shape TO him when he came to, and it
will be many long day before the ter
minus of his spinal column forgets that
visitation of mule power.
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