Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-04-08

forth across that field some half dozen
times, until there was not dry thread
on me. My shins we're barked and
bleeding, and not breath in me. only
what he was pumping into me by his
rapid race. Twas about to let go, when
we come to plum tree at the end of
the row. into the shade of which he ran
and stopped short. So did l, shorter
than he did; in fact, sat down on my
head precious near to Soils heels, but
he didn't take any unfair advantage of
me. and l settled down near him and at
last drew good, long. natural breath,
mopped the sweat from my face, exam.
ined my scarified limbs. and finding
them unbroken, limped off and found
my hat. got the watering and returned
to the tree and took my side of the
shade, and after taking drink went to
thinking. Sol appeared to be thinking
likewise, but he didn't tell me what his
cogitations were. The result Of my re-
Elections was that il had let Sol have
his own way At the start. turning as he
wished to, it would have been tho bet
ter way, and that he knew more about
blowing corn than did. After long
rest we started again, and followed
whore he led. making no remarks. and
he soon proved that he knew what he
was about. and how to do it right, and
we had no more trouble. The next day
/ tied up the lines and let him take his
own gait and direction and it was all
right.
The next morning tried to put on
his bride with the same result as be-
fore; but the third morning went to
the front again with the bride. Mr.. b.
came in on tho rear. and argued the
case with him with pick-handle for
about two minutes and bridled Sol.
After that he recognized me as his peer.
and our relations were always amicable
and pleasant. But never ventured to
iOPOob W uiui buO l. du-
dressed to him that first morning.
Neighbor G. tried him that same sea-
son, but was not so fortunate; he used
some language that Sol considered I'M
called-for, and ten minutes after Sol
was forty rods away from his driver,
who was lying prone in the dirt, with
the pillow sticking half way through a
rail fence. C. could never get to lay
hand on him again.
And so year after year rolled on; his
old master passed away, but Sol. still
staid on the old place. a faithful, trusty
servant. As he grew old and feeble he
became pensloner, doing little light
work occasionally, but always we'll fed
and cared for. The last time l saw
him at work he was showing the Squire
and his boy how to pillow garden. and,
as in the old times. he was doing 1t in
his own way, and the right way too.
He could give any man or beast
pointers in anything pertaining to rails
ing corn, and also as to what was re-
quired Of them on their part, and where
he drew the line it was wise to stop.
In all other kinds of work he was un-
| excelled.
What a wheel mule he would have
made for government wagon il he
had felt disposed to enlist. But
then he thought probably he could do
more good at home raising the mean )
to carry on the war, and may have had
conscientious scruples about becoming
target for rebel lead, and he had lots
of human sympathizers about those
times; SO who could blame Sol? He
was not q coward. by any means, but
just simply wise mule.
But his work is done, his days are
ended. If there is any truth in the doc
trine of TRANSPORTATION, If could have
my wsy, Sol would next occupy the
body of the sacred elephant of Burmah,
whore he could be waited upon and be
fed upon the best, and never have to
hide to escape hard work, and if he
has any choice or privilege of selection
himself he will come very near getting
there; for he was an exceedingly wise
mule.
Reader, you probably consider this
very long and unnecessary obituary for
for an old mule, and perhaps it is; but
there is one beauty about it which you
seldom find in obituaries of our own
species, and it is this-it is strictly true.
TRAMP.
Report OF Mt. Hope High School for
Month Ending March 5, 1856.