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

EBENEzER's SLEIGH RIDE.
Twas in the State Of Indiana. Farmer
Sproggins and his wife, Lizy Ann, set out to
market quite comtortable.lke and snug. They
were going to the town Of Rattleroot They
took along with them two dozen chickens and
six dozen eggs.
This had been great winter for sleghing in
Indiana, especially around the town of Rattle.
root.
Hitch Ebenezer to the sleigh this morning,
Sproggins,' said Lizy Ann.
Sproggins blessed the signs in the almanac
for sending such good heat-growing winter
weather, and obeyed.
Ebenezer was not n horse he was o mule.
He was white, with fair long ears, and tail of
remarkable intelligence. Over n good feed of
hay Ebenezer whiskei bis toll softly, to show
his gratitude aud peace. When Sproggins gave
the caudal member q brisk twist, Ebenezer
knew as well as his master that that meant
" Git up!'
When boy came fooling around, there was
sudden upheaviug of the appendage, storm
sigual, MS itwere, to indicate that hereabouts
was the earthquake end Of Ebenezer.
Farmer Sproggius was wont to say:
" That there mules got more sen SO in his one
toll than the town council Of Rattleroot have in
their heads
The farmer and his wife had raised their
Ebenezcr from gnwky, quavery-legged colt.
lie was born the Same year their eldest son
was, and Simon is old enough to vote for tho
next President. This family mule was crowned
with years, dignity and faithfulness.
I" He's the stidiest creetur, Ebenezer is,' said
Lizy Ann. "You couldn't starkle him no more
you could Gran'ther Sproggins' family bible"
That market morning they sledded on over the
snow in happiness and peace. Ebenezer, Sprog-
gins, Lily Ann, the chickens and the eggs. At
the top of Pigeon Hill there was rongh place.
The sleigh jolted slig htly. 1t struck the rheu-
matism in the old white he ms knees, and she
gave squawk. An egg or two croaked.
Huddap, Ebenezer," aid Sproggins.
Ebenezer looked around and winked, and
then he looked ahead.
Pigeon Hill was half mile long and very
steep. Before the snow came, there had been
a heavy rain. The ground had froze stiff and
icy. Then the heavy snow fell.
"Splendid bottom for sleighn'," Sproggns
said.
The wind had blown the snow off the hill
and left not much else than icy coating. There
WASH much Of anything to sleigh-ride on except
the splendid bottom.
Ebenezer slid slightly.
"Slow it up, Ebenezer," said the farmer.
The mule shook his tail vigorously. lie
planted his fore-hoofs into the ice They began
to 60.
Back, Ebenezer, ba-a-ack r' shouted sprog.
gins.
By that time the sleigh itself was like the old
lady's tongue in meeting. 1t had Z" got going
and couldn't stop
legs.
Ehenezer was surprised. He, dignifed
gray haired family mule, who had never in hi.
life kicked over the traces, had been hurt and
insulted in his tenderest spot. 1t wa. too
much. He lifted hi, hind legs to kick.
Then he was still more surprised. In point
fact, il gallon Of iolized horse radish had
been poured up his nose he couldn't have been
more astonished. Before he raised his respect
able heels, he had been thing with q leg q
each corner. But after that fatal moment, h,
was thing with legs only at his two from
cor ners.
The instant his hind legs were lifted off tn.
ground the sleigh shot still further forward
The shafts snapped off quicker than the cord.
Of gratitude Sleigh, Sproggins, Hzy Ann ant
the chickens went under the mule. Ebenezer
was on top.
Then the strangest thing Of ell happened.
The sleigh struck the mules front legs. Ate,
that he had no more legs at all any more, bu
only just corners. The sleigh knocked him Of
his balance and soooped him in bodily.
Ebenexer sat down with the folks TO take
sleigh ride.
He was big mule. Part Of him sat in Liz
AIMS lap. Some more Of him spread itself OF
the basket Of six dozen eggs.