The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-03-10
Peer the Mule.

This country has. been sorely troubled for
some time by mule thieves says al Elizabeth
town ky correspondent of the New York
sun. IN bet l kin stop EN-" said Farmer
John Rusk last week. Mr. Rusk lives five
miles from town, and has implicit confidence in
hts Old one-eyed mule, Pete. Pete, nOtwith-
standlng the weight OF years and his ocular in
hrInlty, IS a presentaOle animal, big and strong,
ana Farmer John knew that no discerning mule
thief would be likely TO ignore him if there was
q good chance TO run old Pete of. Pete had a
nlschievous disposition. In fact. he was in
clned 10 be quite risky with his heels when
strangers were about. though he never annoyed
the home folks. Upon these traits in Pete's
character Mr.. Rusk built his hopes
We'll just let the thieves steal old Pete"
sad Farmer John to his hired man, William.
William thought the idea good one. They put
Pete into an outside stall and left the door un.
locked Mr.. Rusk and William hid in the hay
above and waited.
About o'clock IIr Rusk thrust his elbow
gently into Williams side. William wiped the
hay out of his eyes and ears and looked and
listened. The moon shOne through the cracks
in the ceiling, and they could distinctly into
the stall below. Pete was contentedly MUNICH
outside The door was softly opened andstwo
large, rough-lCoNng men entered, and each
carried a bride over his arm.
Old Pete looked around at the intruders and
contemplated them mildly with his single
luminous dark eye. He was evidently moved
by curiosity rather than alarm, and waited
Put the bride over his head. the watchers
heard one of the men say to the other HE is
likely looking animal
The one spoken to held out his hand sooth-
ingly toward old Pete and moved forward
Pete raised his head questioningly, but made
no other motion. He was not a mule to act
rashly upon an impulse. All his operations
were conducted with method and foretho aght
he made no protest while the man slipped the
bride over his head.
Il wonder if old Pete's SICK" whispered the
hired man.
Wait" said Mr.. Rusk
mount him and ride off" said one thief to
the other, who held the Bride
Give me a leg, replied the latter
he got leg. and sprang upon Petes back.
At that moment the cyclone was turned loose
Petes head went down between his forelegs
His back arched like the hump of a drOmedary
his hind legs flew high into the air and the
thief on his back shot upward like a skyrocket
as II he had been propelled by some tremendous
Y achlne. He struck the ceiling with lovely
thwack. As he fell back he was caught up
old Pete's feet and lifted again into the air.
When he descended the second time he lay
quietly on the floor.
Pete turned his attention to the second thief,
who had attempted to run and caught him a
blf which sent him head first against the wall
His skull must have been very thick for he
sprang to his feet just in time TO catch a second
KICK This, as Mr. Rusk said. "kinder struck
MN all over" and he fell in a heap near his
companion. Pete resumed the occupation in
which he had been enga ed when the men en-
| tered-pacidly munched his hay.
COD water revived the thieves, but they we're
| in a bad plight. The one who was first kicked
had rib broken and was terribly bruised. The
! otner mad fractured arm and his scalp was
LAID open. They were brought to this place and
| put in jail. They will be tried as soon as they
recover from tFeir injuries. They proved to be
members of noted gang of thieves having their
headquarters in Ind ana. No mules have been
stolen here since their capture.