Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1884-04-16
Twisting the Mules Tail.
From the New York Times,1

When the 0r1ght sunshine, streaming
down through mazes of riggirr and
clouds OF unfurled canvas, gave an air Of
early summer to the Pierrepont Docks,
In Brooklyn, yesterday morning, six
idle men gathered on the warm side Of
o warehouse and discussed the elevatipg
influences of spring. 10 them the dis
tant ships seemed asleep upon the hori-
zon; the water Tapped against the pier
heads with q drOwsy murmur, and the
fiendieh shrek of passing tugboat died
away like lullaby. One man felt sure
that nature expected people to rest in
spring time, and the others that it was
sin to work any creature except mule.
This unfortunate animal received men.
ton because long-legged, file backed
specimen of the species chewed piece
of an old carpet on the pier and at un-
certain and spasmodic intervals tried to
kick a hogshead and two barrels into the
river. g.,
Gradually the talk turned upon tn
viciousness, the vindictiveness, and the
untamableness Of mules. The mule on
the dock was thought to be an unusually
vicious animal. Wickedness, and mis-
cellaneous desire to smash things could
be seen in his eye. and his feet seemed
just the kind for effective kicking.
8. Bet no one dares fool around that
MULE said man with o beard like an
unnatural growth of oakum.
Wouldn't fool round him long, said
a cross-eyed man. s'He'd kick the day
lights out Of a mans grandfather
III that mule struck you once your
whole family nd de- exclaimed third
man in confidence. "I'll bet good ci.
gar at no man in this crowd dares't 20
up and tickle 'im.'' ......- =.
'tl'll make it IS if any man'll twist
his TAIL" challenged q ship chandler's
agent, as the mule beat tattoo against
post on the pier. "yes, I'll mako it
ten." q -
'sStuff r sneered lazy-looking Va
grant little apart from the crowd.
''Whosays stuff" demanded the agent,
IN voice like prize-ighter's. 'sMaybe
you'd like to twist that mules tail %
81 think I could do it.
3 "Here's $40 that says you can't"
cru go ye.'' 80.
The money was put into the hands of
ship's supply contractor, and the de-
tails were properly arranged. The lazy
man was to twist the mules tail-if be
could get near enough-with all his
strength, and escape unhurt. The
crowd was to stand at respectful dis
lance and see fair play. The lazy man
swung his coat over his arm, borrow wed
q chew of navy plug, and walked down
the pier. The crowd followed slowly.
The mule showed a strong desire to eat.
not only the approaching man, but the
pier itself. But his viciousness was re-
strained by strong rope halter. The
lazy man tossed his coat upon barrel
and grasped the mules tail with both !
hands. The crowd held it's breath. The
twister wound the tail into hard knot |
and pulled the mule from side to side, |
as far as the halter would permit. The !
mule made no effort to resent the indig-
nifty. The lazy man again threw his
coat over his arm, and, taking the money
from the the contractor, sauntered up |
Montague Street. The CROWD was
speechless.
.'Did you see that?" at length asked |
one Of the men of atevedoor who leaned |
over barrel. -s ..,s
ssYes, I saw it.
mule hadn't any spunk, had hep"
Hadn't he? Why, man, that's The |
crossest mule in Brooklyn, n the big
gest kcker!'
Then why ia thunder didn't he lift |
that man across Governor Island?''
swell, it's like this !: If you owned
that mule n had him trained to do that
same trick once q week he wouldn't
81 IL I'M i