Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-08-31
IAlexa. Gazette d Virginia Advertise
HOW MULES CAME INTO FASHION.

Few OF the farmers of this country are aware
what depth of gratitude they owe TO George
Washington for the Introduction of mules Into
general use for farm purposes
Previous to 1883 there were very few, and
those of such an inferior order as to prejudice
farmers against them as uuht to compete With
hos>S in work upon the road or farm. Cou.
Scuuenly there were no jacks, and no dsposl-
ton 10 increase the stock; but Washington be-
came couviuced that the introduction Of mules
geueraljy amoug Southern planters would prove
to them great blessing, as they are less liable
TO disease, aud louger lived, and work upon
shorter feed: and much less liable to be injured
than horses by careless driving.
As soon as il became known abroad that the
ilustrious Washington desired TO stock his
Mt. ternou estate with mules the klug OF
Spain sent him jack ani two jennets from
the royal stables, and lafayette sent another
jack aud two jenuets from the Island Of Malta
The first was gray color, eighteen hands
high, heavily made, aud of sluggish nature.
called the Knight of Malta; be was about as
nigh, 1.-the, iery even to teroc'ty.
rhe lwo different sets Of animals gave him
the uos, favorable opportunity of making ln
prUv,mcuts by cross breeding, the result OF
which was the favorite jack Compound, because
hr partook of the best points 10 both the orlgl-
nal. The General bred his blooded mares TO
these lacks, aud produced such superb mules
that the country was all agog to produce some
Of the same sort, and they soon became quite
common.
This was the origin of the improved mules
iu the Uoitcd States There are now some of
the third and fourth generation of Knights OF
Malta and Royal Gift to be found in Virginia,
ard the grea. benefits arising from their ntro-
ductiou 10 the country are to be seen upon
every cultivated acre In the Southern States.
The BABY's DEATH.-There came morn
iuy at last when the babys eyes did not open.
DR.. Er>klne felt the heart throb family under
his hugers, but he knew it was beating its last.
He ,rembIed for Elizabeth, and dared not to tell
her. She anticipated him.
''Doctor,' she said-aud her voice was so
pa>>oulcss that it III ght have belonged to a
ii>cmboded spirit-"l Know that my darling is
dying.
He bowed his head mutely Her very calm
ness awed him.
Is there anything you can do to ease
her ?''
Nothing. do not think she suffers"
Then will you please to go away. She is
uiue-Dobody but mine, In her life and in
her death, and | want her quite to myself at
the last
Sorrowtuliy enough he left her.
Elizabeth held her child closely, but gently.
She thought iu that hour that she had never
loved anything else-never in this world should
love anything again. She wanted to cry, but
Ter eyes We're dry and burning, and not tear
fell on the little upturped face, changing so
fast to marble. She bent over and whispered
something iu the baby S cara wild, passionate
prayer that it would remember her and know
10 answer her--a radieut, loving look, which
she thought must be born of the near heaven.
She pressed her lips 10 last despairing agony
Of love to the little face, from which already,
as she kissed it, the soul had fed. Her white
woudcr had gone home. This which lay upon
her hungry heart was stone.