Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1874-01-30

fraid they might get their legs broken /;
and strange us it seemed to the boys,
most of the neighbors appeared to have
similar notions. Horses were very
hard to borrow that Friday afternoon.
But Il negro man, named Isaac Wad-
dell, agreed to hire his thin horse,
Hector, for fifty cents for the day; and
the store-kecper, after much persua-
sion, lent a big grey mule, Grits, by
name. There was another mule III the
village, which the boys could have if
they wanted her; but they didn't want
her-that is, if they could get anything
else with four legs that would do to 90
in their team. This was Polly, lit
tie mule, belonging to Mrs. Dabney,
who kept the postofiice. Polly was
not only Very little in size, but she was
also very little given to going. She
did not particularly object to a walk,
if it were not too long. and would pull
a buggy or carry a man with great
complacencv. but she seldom indulged
in trotting. 1t was of no use to whip
her. Her skin was So thick. or SO dcs-
titute of feeling, that she did not seem
to take any notice of a good hard crack.
| Polly was not favorite, but she doubt
less had her merits, although no one
knew exactly what they were. Per-
haps the best thing that could be said
about her, was, that she did not take
| up mach room.
But, on Saturday. it WAS evident that
Polly would have to be taken, for no
animal could be obtained in her place
| So, soon after breakfast, the team
was collected in Mr.. Loudon's back
yard. and harnesscd to the sled. Be
sides the three negroes who had been
hired, there were seven volunteers
some big and some little,-who were
very willing to work for nothing, if
they might have ride on the sled.-
/ The harness WAS not the best in the
world: some Oft was leather. and some
was rope and some was chain Itwas
gathered together from various quar-
ters, like the team-nobody seemed
anxious to lend good harness.
Grits and thin Hector were the lea1l-
ers. and Polly and old Selim were the
pole SC 20 speak.
When all the straps were buckled,
and the chains hooked. and the knots
tied (and this took n good while, as
there were only twelve men and boys
to do it, Dick Ford jumped on old
Selim. little Johnny Sand, rs black as
ink. was hoistcd on Grits, and Grego-
~ Montague, a tall yellow boy, with
high boots and no tdes To them, be-
strode thin Hector. Harry, Tom and
nine negroes (two more had just come
into the yarl) jumped on the sled
Dick Ford cracked his whip; Kate
stood on the back door step and clap
ped her hands oil the darkies shouted {;
Tom and Harry hurrahed; and away
they didn't 60.
Polly wasn't ready.
And what was more, old brown Selim
was perfectly willing 10 wait for her.
He looked around mildly at the little
mule, as if he would say: "Now, don't
be in hurry, my good Polly. BE sure
you're right before you 60 ahead"
! Pollywas quite sure she wasn't right,
and stood as stitfly as if she had been
frozen to the ground. and all the crack
ing of whips and shouting of "Git up
"Go long" "What you mean, dar
you Polly made no impression on
her.
Then Harry made his voice heard
above the hubbub.
"Never mind Polly" he shouted.-
Let her alone. Dick, and you other
fellows, just start of your own horses.
Now, then. Get up, all of you"
At this, every rider whipped up his
mule, and spurred him with his heels,
and every darkey shouted, "lIi, dar.r'
off they went, rattledy bang.
Polly went, too. There was never
such an astonished little mule in this
world! Ont of the gate they all whirl-
ed at full gallop, and up the road,
tearing along. Negroes shouting,
chains rattling, snow flying back from
sixteen pounding hoofs, sled cutting
through the snow like ship at sea,
and little darkey shooting out be-
hind at every bounce over rough
place.
"Hurrah!" cried Harry, holding
tight to an upright pole. 'Isn't this
splendid"
"Splendid. It's glorious!' shouted
Tom. "It's better than being a pi-.'
And down he went on his knees, as the
big sled banged over a stone in the