The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1886-02-12
EBENEZER'S SLEIGH RIDE.

EBENEZERS SLEIGH RIDE.
Twas in the State of Indiana. Farmer
Sproggins and his wife, Lily Ann, set out to
market quite CONFERENCE.-The and snug They
were going to the town of Rattcroot. They
took along with them two dozen chickens and
six dozen cggs.
This had been great winter for slcighing in
Indiana. especially around the town of Rattle.
root.
" Hitch Ebenczcr to the sleigh this morning
Sproggins, said Lily Ann.
Srroggns blessed The signs in the almanac
for sending such good wheat growing winter
weather, and obcyei.
EbcneIcr was not horse he was q mule
lie was white. with fair long ears, and tail Of
remarkable intelligence. Over good feed of
hay Ebenezcr whiskcl his tail softly, to show
his gratitude aud peace. When Sproggins gave
the caudal member brisk twist. Ebenczer
knew as well as his master that that meant
:" Git up
When boy came foolng around, there was n
sudden uphearing of the nppendage, a storm
signal, as il were, to indicate that hereabouts
was the earthquake end Of Ebenezer.
Farmer Sproggius was wont to say:
That there mules got more sen sc in his one
tail than the town council Of Rattleroot have in
| their heads
| The farmer and his wife had raised their
Ebcnezcr from gawky, quavery-leggcd colt.
| lie was born the same year their eldest son
was, and Simon is old enough to vote for the
next President. This family mule was crowned
with years. dgnr y and faithfulness.
- Hes the stidcst crcctur, Ebenczer is said
Iizy Ann. You coudn't starkle him no more
you could Gran thcr Sproggins' family bible"
That market morning they sleddcd on over the
snow in happiness and peace. Ebcnezcr, Sprog-
gins, Lizy Ann, the chickens and the eggs. At
the top Of Pigeon Hill there was rongh place
The sleigh iotcd slightly. 1t struck the rhcu
matism in the old white hens knees. and she
gave squawk. An egg or two croaked.
&" lIudd,p, E5cnezer." said Sproggins
Ebenczer looked around and winkcd and
| then he looked ahead.
Pigeon Hill was half q mile long and very
steep. Before the snow came. there had been
heavy rain. The ground had froze stiff and
icy. Then the heavy snow fell
| Splendid bottom for sleighin - Srrocgns
said
The wind had blown the snow of the hill,
and left not much else than icy coating There
WASH much of anything to scigh-rde on except
the splendid bottom.
Ebcnezcr slid slightly.
Slow it up, Ebenezer," said the farmer
The mule shook his tail vigorously. lie
planted his forehoofs into the ice They began
to go.
Back, Ebenezcr, ba.a.ack :" shouted Sprog-
gins.
by that time the sleigh itself was like the old
lady's tongue in meeting. 1t had " got q going
and couldn stop.
1t shot forward and touched the mules hind
legs.
Ehenezcr was surprised. lie, dgnihcd.
gray yhaircd family mule, who had never in his
life kicked over the traces. hal been hurt and
insultel in his tenderest spot 1t WA too
much. lie lifted his hind legs to kick
Then he was still more surprised In point Of
fact, if gallon Of iolizel horse radish had
been poured up his nose he coudn't have been
more astonished. Before he raised his respect
able heels, he had been thing with leg al
each corner. But after that fatal moment he
was thing with legs only at his two front
cor ners.
The instant his hind legs we're lifted off the
ground the sleigh shot still further forward
The shafts snapped off quicker than the cords
of gratitude. Sleigh, Sproggins, Lizy Ann ant
the chickens went under the mule. Ebenezer
was on top.
Thea the strangest thing Of all happened
The sleigh struck the mule front legs. After
that he had no more legs at all any more, bu
only just corners. The sleigh knocked him Of
his balance and scoopcd him in bodily.
Ehenezer sat down with the folks to take
sleigh ride.
lie was q big mule Part of him sat in Liz,
: AIMS lap. Some more of him spread itself oil
the basket Of six dozen eggs.