The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-01-07
ShOeing a Mule.

HNHE New ork HerdtU cOrresponuenC
i travelling with johnson and the other
Congressional candidates in Tennessee +,
writes:
eff there had been any sanguinary ILL
feeling among those who came to attend
the meeting, scene that took place before
it's assembling must have routed it CON-
pletely. That scene will last in the men,
ory of those who saw it, as long as life
remains. 1t occurred on the verge of the
town, and came near spelling all interest
in our own circus. Six negroes, on the
common road, opposite blacksmith's shop
for over an hour were trying to persuade
young, tall robust country mule to allow
himself to be shod. They put rope col
lar round his neck, and to that attached
line which, thrown out between his hind
legs was intended to trip up each in turn,
and hold it in position while the black
smitb-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 enslavement as easily as he
might 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 shins bruised, and their pants
torn, the six gallant darkeys stuck to their
supernatural mule until finally they secur-
ed his right hind-leg, and had his hoof
laid on Sam the blacksmith lap, ready for
80 nan tlnn Cttp
rounding points of vantage were occupied
by spectators, wrought up to the most in
tense pitch of excitement-Johnson men
cheering on the mule, Maynard men cheer
ing on the darkeys. Sam the blacksmith
was a 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
"a perilous distance), was a circle of about
twenty darkeys, awaiting the operation of
putting the shoe on, with the most solemn
interest. Never did mule draw such
pious| us|reverence from a like audience.
"'I'd ha' let him be-, said one; 'dar's
no use a-fussin' with such good-for nuf-
fin meule as dat"
"'Fo Cad . exclaimed another, in a
low and cautious tone, l do blieve in my
so dc ole debbel hisself is in dat dar
meule.
"'Wot you speaks alike dat fo' p said a
third, turning on the previous speaker.
Dat meule hears every tin you say, and
links it insultin.' Don't know wedder dc
debbel is in him, but do consequentially
b'lieve dar's heap o'kick in his hind-legs
still. Guess whoever gets him will tink SC
too. wants my head insured when Use
aXed to nurse him."
''In the meantime, Sam had his imple.
ments 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 deliver the
pregnant blow that was to drive it safely
home. 1t was moment of breathless and
agonizing suspense with whites and blacks
alike. The latter anticipated a triumph fol-
their race the former prepared to keeI
their sides from splitting asunder. SAINT
legs shook, but he brought down the ham
mer with all his might and at the same
moment an explosion occurred that fairly
y battles description. A trip hammer fall
ling on a ton-weight of nitro-glycerine
immured in tin box, could hardly hav'
Y produced any more sudden and bewilder
ing results. Quicker than thought the
mule drew his hind leg forward, and
), springing it back with incredible force
struck the still STOPPING Sam square in th'
Dubious centre of his hind-section, project
ing him forward in the air like cannon
ball from a catapult. As Sam disappeared
+ in space, he knocked all the darlseys dow
in front of him like ninepins, scattering
them over the road in all directions, anC
: landed himself on top of a snake-fenc,
twenty feet away. The roar that went VI
from the assembled multitude might hav
been heard in the next county. The null
grew alarmed, took to his heels, and, annie
Il the cheers of the johnson party, crossed
G the country for home and freedom. Poo
!, Sam had no shape to him when he cam
e to, and it will be many long day befor
!, the terminus Of his spinal column forget
i that visitation of mule-power.'