Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-08-13
8lisreIlane1ns.
Not nandsone, Bat Obstinate.
How THE SQUIRE Was TAKFN IN ON THE
VILLAGE GREEN By A Driver AND his
Mules

the State of Vermont. The usual crowd
of farmers had gathered after the labors
of the day to chat about the crops. discuss
the news and enjoy a social smoke. The
SQUIRE. as he was called, had been re-
hearsiny the wonderful exploits of his
pair of road horses. for no one knew how
many times it having been his theme
since he purchased them twelvemonth
before. In truth, there was some reason
for the mans pride, as all his neighbors
knew, for the horses in question were
beauties, some sixteen hands high and
with big muscles, that told OF almost un-
limited pulling powers. =,
| There was a stranger present on the
evening in question, rather rough looking.
| TO be sure. but wiihall of a rolliking, hail
fellow, well-met carriage that won way
| into the hearts of the company almost be-
fore they knew it. He said he was team
| ing and was on his way to Concord When
the squire bad finished particularly
| Large story about his noted pair, the
driver looked up and said:
"Well, stranger, My animals amt
much to brag OF in looks, but I've got
twenty-fver that says they can pull
YOURS If bombshell had fallen into
the crowded room no greater consterna-
| ton would have ensued. The idea Of the
squire's unapproachable pair being chal-
| lenped to a contest of strength, and that
| by a stranger. The squire was taken
aback at first, but he had more money
than any man in town, and it wouldn't do
for the honor of community, for him to
back down. Arrangements were at once
completed; the contest was to take place
on the village green early the next morn.
| ing. The news spread like wild fire, and
at the appointed hour every man and boy
| in the village was on the green. The
squire soon put in an appearance
| with his magnificent specimen OF horse
| flesh. Curried down TO a turn and look
ing as if nothing would be impossible tor
them after their nights rest. Soon the
stranger was seen approaching, but what
shout of derision went up when it was
seen that he was driving apair OF mules,
hardly bigger than rats, who were trot-
ting along ..in peck basket" as one
old man expressed it. But like his mill
tary predecessor, '.unmindfal of ieers and
scoff," the owner of the dispised animals
unhitched them and declared himself
ready. His quiet GOODNESS and seeming
confidence had its natural effect, and the
onlookers began questioning among them
selves. though still very incledulous.
When the animals were brought near each
other, however. the disparity in size
was too great, and the mule owner was
freely advised to 'put his team in his
pocke ct and take it away" But he was
not of that opinion. The animals were
hitched up back to back, and then the
squire said:
I'VE will toss up to see who will start"
No, no ~ said the stranger. ''lt makes
no difference. Hit her up" A murmur
of surprise went round at the confidence
of the man. but the squire cracked his
whip. shouted to his horses, the traces
strai ghtened out. The horses seemed to
expect an easy job, as well as the people
tor on the first trial they didn't half
pull The mules seemed to be
full, as unconcerned, for when the
strain came they simply dug their toes
into the ground and-stood. The
spectators opened their eyes, the stranger
smiled to himself, while the squire
started in tor second ''try." He
laid his whip to the roans in earnest this
time. and there was no TO ding they
bueked down to work like trojans. and
pulled tooth and nail until the green
sward looked as if it had been ploughed
by whirlwind. But the mules were
right where they started to be. Their
owner had said never a word, but stood
looking on with the same quizzical ex-
expression on his face that was there on
his first appearance. He knew his ami
mals--they were throughbreds. As to
pulling them backwards one might as
try to start mountain. The squire fumed
and fretted and whipped and swore until
his boosted pair were drenched with
sweat, spotted with foam, painting for
| breath, and about tired out. Then the
stranger awoke and said he guessed it
was his turn. With Hi up, there, he
touched up his pigmy steeds. as a re-
minder Of what was expected of them.
Ye gods! Could it be. But it was. The
little animals dug in like terror at rat
hole. Strengthened out tor staff, and
away they went until the squire's invinci-
bells were forced to turn about and head
in the same direction in sheer desperation.
The tide had turned, public sympathy was
tickle. as it always is, and three cheers
were given for the strangers 'pocket edi-
ton OF Bucephalus," while the squire
quietly stole away.
| The next day the defeated candidate
freighted his favorites off to the city where
he disposed OF them. When questioned
about his hasty sale. he half angrily rotor
ted "I'll be id If I'll own horses
that can be yanked along in that style by