The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-03-18
CAPERS OF A MUSTANG
MARE
IN A FLORIDA TOWNSHIP GIVES
BIRTH TO A MULE COLT AND \
HORSE COLT ATONE BIRTH.

IN A FLORIDA TOWNSHIP CIV ES
BIRTH TO A MULE COLT AND \
HORSE COLT AT ZONE BIRTH.
MARIANA, Fla, March l, 1856.
Editor Austin Daily Statesman.
Assuming that I'VE editors" and espe-
cially Texas editors, belong to a class
of persons who are always anxious to
hear of strange things and see strange
sights, have taken upon myself to give
you the facts of strange and remarkable
freak of nature that happened in this city
this morning. 1t may be more interest
ing, as a gentleman connected with bus
mess firm in your city is an interested
party.
few weeks ago, Mr.. Charles Dagnan,
better known here by the sobriquet of
Texas Charlie, the Dashing Drover," left
your city ih charge of drove of
mustang ponies, destined for this place.
After encountering several delays,
and mishaps on the road, he arrived here
on Saturday last with his mustangs rather
the worse for this journey. Having seen
that the stock was properly cared for and
in comfortable quarters, he sought repOse
in the arms of Morpheus for the night
On Sunday, in speaking of the mares
that were among the drove, he said there
was one which was somewhat eccentric,
and cut up some capers on the route.
She appeared to think herself of more
importance than any of the others that
when feeding or watering on the way
she would look, as it were, with contempt
on all the others, and manifested utter
dislike to associate with them in the car,
and Dashing Drover" concluded, from
her peculiar actions, that she was the off
spring of some circus trick horse. and
had inherited the tricks of her supposed
sire or dame. Now this mare was ex-
pected to foal soon, so Texas Charlie "
kept his eye on her, as he expected foal
would add materially to her value. Sunday
evening he paid the stock his usual visit to
see if they were properly cared for, and
paid particular attention to her mare
ship.
His fears and hopes were all GisappOint-
ed this morning, by being walked up at
early daybreak by the niger man in
charge of the stables, who informed him
that der was som'it wrong wild de centric
mare" Charlie dressed in less than two
quivers of a sleeps tail and made for the
yard with all speed. On reaching the
yard he found, to his unspeakable joy,
his jaunty mare was sure enough fOaling.
You can Judge of his disappointment
and chagrin when the newcomer turned
out to be Il mule colt" and still born.
The colt was about three and half
months old and perfect in its formation.
That's one lost" sad Charlie, as he gazed
M hn lish hnf hi cd
only knows how long he would have med
itated on muleism, had his medtations
not been cut short by the niger calling
his attention to the mare writhing in
apparent agony. whats the matter with
the critter now" said Charlie, as he turned
and looked at the man. Great Jehovah!
Cherry, she is going to have twins, sure,
and she needs help, too; come, Cherry, we
must assist the poor thing!" SO saying
he rolled up his sleeves and played mid
wife to the mare. In short time, Charlie
aided by the niger, Delivered the mare OF
horse colt, which had run its full time
and was finely developed. But, and it is
the saddest but of all, the horse colt was
still born too" Our dashing drovel
looked the picture of melancholy, rushed
his hands through his hair, heaved deep
patriarchal sigh, looked at the colt, anG
with a deep, sorrowful accent said: "That's
two lost" but we can't afford to lose
that mare, she's daisy. So Charlie be-
slowed on the mare all the careful atten.
ton and care that was in the power of a
"marewidwife."
The news of this strange freak of ma.
ture or ('muracle" as the niggers call it),
spread like wildfire through the city, and
in an incredibly short space of time
COkes d Baltzells stables were besieged
with curious and eager crowd to see the
colts. All horse and cattlemen in the
vicinity are astounded, and at loss to
explain it. They all admit nothing of the
kind ever came under their notice be-
fore.
Now, Massa Charlie" said Cherry
after all was over, sin de name of the
good Lord, how did dat centric mare
hab dem two colts-one ten and a hall
mOnt's old, mule colt-and nodder
horse colt, 'leven mont's old? Yum, yum
Massa Charlie, something wrong dar, sar-
tin"
And that's what we all want to know
What do your cattle kings of Texas
say!
Will some of them explain upon wha
theory such a singular freak of nature
could occur.
All are unbounded in their praise of Mr.
Dagnan and various are the con lectures
as to his future course. Some 90 SO fal
as to predict that on his return to Austir
he will retire from the road and bid fare
well to the stock car, rent an elegant suite
of rooms in a fashionable part of the city
have an deliberately decorated sign sus
| pended over the front door, with the fol
lowing inscription in gold letters
TEXAS CHARLIE,
THE DAsHING DRovER.
MARE ACCOUCHING A SPECIALITY
| If so, his friends here, and their name
is legion, bid him God speed. NJ.
ANECDOTES.
| $, who was one of the first set
| tiers in Austin, was something of wag
and occasionally INDUCED in little harm