The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-06-11
THE MAGISTRATES MULE.
He Thought He Had . bargain. But IL
Didn't Pan Out Well.


Didn't Pan Out Well.
Wilma rough frontiersman Of the
genus cowboy-is the pcrpctrator Of a
joke upon a certain erudite justice OF
the peace and the tale will bear repeat
ing. His home is in the quiet town of
Richfield and when he visits the settle
ment he celebrates by painting the
town flaming cardinal. On one of
these occasions he took hand at some
simple game played with five cards. Of
which the first is buried think they
call it stud Something about the
game was forbidden in the city ordi-
nance for the suppression of gam
bling" and under the kind supervision
of the marshal. VIM. with five com
panions, found himself before the bar
of justice Dcnials and defense were
useless. Justice Orrick solemnly pc
rused the statutes and fined each Of
fender twelve dollars and half. Vim
found that he had but ten dollars and
this he offered to the magistrate, but
no compromise could be effected with
the city treasury. It was twelve dol
lars and half or twelve and one-half
days in durance vile. Finally happy
thought struck the young man.
Say. Judge, I'll give you bill of sale
Of my mule and if don't bring You the
money within five days Ill bring the
critter and it's yourn."
Now an average mule was worth
forty dollars and the justice thought he
had a good bargain; SO did VIM, al
though he never cracked smile until
the bill was drawn up, signed and de-
livcred; then something in his counten-
ance warned the grave Orrick Of inn
pending trouble.
''Winn, how old is that ar mewlo"
''Old enough to vote, judge. old enough
to vote" and the door was closed from
the outside.
Now Richfield justice can not be
lightly treated. Straightway the justice
hied him to the constable and together
they visited Winn's home.
well, VIM, have a warrant for
you."
What fer?'
THE judge says as you amt settled
that fine"
Amt settled that fine? You try and
make me settle it agin and it'll cost you
three or four Mules
Flows that"
well, give the judge bill of saie
for my mule and he let me CO."
us that SO, Brother Orricko"
The Judge, after much hesitation,
confessed that such was the case.
well. then you can't do nothing
more with Winn."
but, Winn, you'll let me see the
mewl?'
Cert. Come along
Out to the old corral they went and
there upon the ground lay the ungainly
hybrid patriarch of all the mules in
Utah. VIM kicked it and it slowly
rose and tottered to its feet
Look ont, gentlemen, it may fall on
you and can't be responsible for acct
dents"
Now, Winn." whined the baffied Or
rick Il meant to do the right thing by
you, but guess stretched the law a
leetle. The law won't let me take any
thing that will eat or run away
GU re all rlSnt, judge. on re all
right That mule can't do neither one. !"
Five days later there was procession
through the main street of Richfield.
Winn drove cart and behind was tied
Brother Orrick's mule. Two of his boon
companions marched on either side to
steady its feeble steps, and the fifth
brought up the rear and gave the beast
push whenever it seemed that it must
surely fall. The next morning there
was funeral in Justice Orrick's corral,
and the worthy magistrate. having just
deposited twelve dollars and a half of
his own hard earned cash in the city
treasury, was the sole mourner.-Forest
mud Stream,