The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1872-11-21

~ Us 04 GAmpni8n. q sftfeIf 81 4
= The New y ork Heralds CORES,
pondent with Andrew johnson and
other congressional candidates in
Tennessee writes: ed1 ladi ahinemt
{" If there had been any sanguinary
ill-feeling among those who came to
attend the injecting, a scene that took
place before its assembling must have
routed it completely. That scene
will last in the memory of those who
saw it as long as life remains. Once
In his existence it is given man of
the proper aPpreciative feeling to wit
ness, all unexpectedly, something so
pre-eminentiy comic and tragic at the
same time, but with the element of
tragedy contributing its whole vol
ume to increase, the fun, that all; the
premeditated droliery or the stage
sinks to oinsignificanee beside it. Cam
els in Africa and Mustangs in Mexico
are indispensable animals. So is the
mule in our Southern country, espec9
tally to the negroes. The scene about
to be described occurred on the verge
OF the town and came near spoilimg
all interest In our own 'circus. Six
negroes, on the common road, oppo-
site the blacksmith shop, for over an
hour were trying to persuade q young
tall, robust country mule to allow
himself to be shod. They put arope
collar around his neck, aud to that att
tached line which, thrown out be-
tween his hind legs, was intended to
trip mp each in return and hold IL in
position 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 enslave-
ment as easily as ne might cooweb,
and describing high up in the air
forked lightning diagrams with his
heels, q sight fearful to behold. Pant
ing but patient, their hats kicked of
their heads, their Shine bruised and
their pants torn, the gallant darkies
stuck to that supernatural mule until
finally they secured his right leg and
had his hoOf lail on Sam, the black.
smiths lap, ready tor, the sacrifice.-
BY this time all the surrounding
points ofadvantage were occupied by
spectators wrought up to the most in-
tense pitch OF ohnson
men cheering on ihe male, Maynard
men cheering on the darkies. Sam,
The blacksmith, was a tall, well built
fellow. He had his back towards the
mules hoof. In front of him, about
six feet from the mules tail, (a peril
ous positioh) was circle of about
twenty darkies. awaiting the opera
lion of putting the shoe on with the
most solemn interest. Never did
n nale draw such pious reverence from
. like audience. ~ .cirhud iB ,r9n
I'D .ha' let him be, said one; .'dar's
40 use a fnssin' with such good for
luffin meule as dat"
"FO' Cod" exclaimed another, in a
ow. and cautious tone. 81 do believe
u. my So de ole debble hisself is. in
lat dar meule."
"Wot you speaks alike dat to %
Ipeaker. s. Dat neule hears every
hing you say and thinks it insuitinI.
Don't know whether the debble is in
lim but do consequeutially b'iieve
lars heap of kick III his hind legs
Isili. Guess. whoever. gets hit; will
ink SO too. wants my head insured
when Pse axed to nurse him."
In the meantime, sam had his inn
Elements ready, dnd an assistant far
Ter approached and laid the shoe ten
lerly upon the virgin hoof. A nail
vas inserted, while Sam elevated his
hammer to deliver the pregnant blow
hat was TO drive it safely home. 1t
vas a moment of brethless and ago
izing suspense with whites and
lacks alike, The latter anticipated
riumph Tor the race ; the former pre-
ared to keep their sides from split
ing asunder, Sans legs shook, but
q brought down the hammer with
II his might, and at the same mo-
nent All explosion occurred that fair
Y battles description. A trip-ham-
aer falling on ton weight of nitro
lycerine immured in tin box could
ardly have produced any more sud-
en- and bewiIdering results. Quicker
nan thought the mule drew his hind
sg forward aud springingg it back
Tith incredible force, struck the still
topping Sam square in the bulbous
euter of his hind section, projecting
im forward in the air like cannon
all from catapult. AS Sam disap-
cared in space, he knocked ali the
arkies in, front of him like nine-pins
them all over the road in
Il directions, and landing himself on
op of snake fence twenty feet away.
he roar that went up from the ''as-
,mbled multitood" might have been
card in the next county. The mule
rew alarmed, took to his heels, and
mid the cheers OF the johnson party
'ossed the country for home and
eedoff. Poor Sam had no shape to
I'M when he came to, and it viii he
any a long day before the terminus
his spinal column forgets that vIs-
alton OF mule power. s5t ga ss