Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1880-04-07
The Conquest of the Mule.

The western pack mule Is small, sinewy,
and, like old Joey Bagstock; tough, sir,
tough but de-e-vlish sly!" Most of them
are bred from Indian ponies and are born
on the open plains. Having previously
been lassoed and branded, when three
years old they are driven Tor inveigled)
into coral and exhibited for sale at bron-
chos An untamed horse is a model of
gentleness beside them. Sometimes they
are accustomed at once to the saddle by one
of those wonderful riders who can stick on
the back of anything that runs, and more
rarely they are broken to harness; but or
dinarily their backs are trained To bear the
pack, which Is generally the only practical
bic method OF transporting freight through
these rugged mountains. The first time
the pack saddles are put on, the excitement
may be imagined. The green mule, strong
in his youth, having been adroitly ''roped"
or lassoed, is led out into an open space,
stepping tImidly. but, not seeing any cause
for alarm, quietly; before he understands
what it all means, he finds that a moose of
the rawhide lariat about his neck has been
slipped over his nose, and discovers that his
tormentors have an advantage. He pulls,
shakes his head, stands upright on opposite
ends. but all to no avail. The harder he
pulls, the Tighter the moose pinches his
nostrils, 50 at last he Genes down and
keeps still. Then man approaches slow
| ly and circumspectly, holding behind him
leather binder which he seeks TO slip
over the mules eyes. But two long ears
stand in the way, and the frs. touch of the
leather is the signal for two iumps-one by
the beast and one by the man, for packers
are wise enough in their day and genera
ton to fight shy Of the business end of
mule. The next attempt Is less matter OF
caution and more of strength, and here the
animal has 50 much advantage that often il
must be lassoed again and thrown to the
ground. II is 4 fine sight TO witness the
! Indignation of such fellow He falls
heavily, vet holds his head high and essays
TO rise But his fore-feet are manacled by
ropes and his head is fast. Yet he will
shake. almost free, get upon his hind-feet,
stand straight up and dash down with all
his weight in futile efforts for liberty. Sc
cured with more ropes, allowed but three
| legs to stand upon and cursed frightfully,
he must submit, though he never does it
with good grace. 1t is not always, how
ever, that this extremity is resorted TO.
Some animals make little resistance while
the strange thing is being put upon their
backs and the fastenings adjusted-all but
one; but when an effort is made TO put
that institution called a crupper under
young mules tail, language fails to express
the character of the kicking! The light
heels describe an arc from the ground TO
ten feet above il and then strike out at
tangent They cut through the air like
whip -lashes and wsuld penetrate an impe-
diment like bullets. But even mule-fesh
tires Strategy wins. The crupper is
gained and the first hard pull made upon
the sinch Cas the girth is termedl, which
holds firmly every hair-breath, and will
finally crease the contour Of the mu,e's
belly into the semblance of Cupid's bow.
But this one pull sufiices to set him spring
ing again-bucking, now, with arched back
and head between his knees, landing on
stiff legs to jar his burden of, or falling
! full weight on his side and rolling over 10
scrape it free lie will sit on his launches
and hurl himself backward; will duck his
head and turn somersault finally Will
stand still, trembling with anger and ex-
hsustion, and let you lead him away, CON
| Olered