Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1891-12-30
Up a Tree in Arkansas.

living about hve miles from the Land
ing. The merchant at the river
bank loaned me mule, strapped on
an old potato sack for saddle and
the start was made in good shape.
There isn't the least necessity for any
other stranger to go over that road.
In order to save all trouble it may be
stated that that strip of Arkansas is
composed ofswamps, ague, mosquitoes,
rattlesnakes, watermelons and crows.
1t was in the dryest season Of the
year and the people were praying for
rain, and yet that mule couldn't be
got off a walk on account of the mud.
Twice he got stuck fast on the very
crest of what they called hills, and he
didn't tear himself loose until the
crows settled so thickly around us
that terror came to inspire him.
Half the distance had been ac-
complished when log cabin was dis
covered to the right Of the road and
several rods off. l was terribly
thirsty and reined towards the house,
but had not yet covered half the dis
tance when pack of dogs broke
loose from somewhere and came
around the corner of the hut. There
were dogs CT all shades and breeds
and colors, except poodles and pugs.
l had time to notice bloodhound as
high as yearling calf, and bull
dog built something like cider
barrel, when the mule made break
over field of sickly corn and into
the timber. Before he was across
the field three or four of the dogs had
bitten him on the legs, and the blood
hound had jumped clear over him as
he made grab at me. Right under
the low branches of great old tree
rushed the mule, and it was either to
be swept off or to climb of. seized
branch and let him pass from under
me, and next moment was looking
down upon seven yelping. bowling,
disappointed ours. They seemed to
feel something like man does when
the sub.of1ice closes the circuit on him
as he is blowing up the grocer for not
delivering those goods. In about
five minutes woman in poke bon
net and carrying shotgun on her
shoulder came across the field, and
as she came near enough to make out
the object in the tree she halted and
exclaimed:
"Shoo! but | thought it was a
coon! !"
"Sorry to disappoint you, ma'am.
Please call of your dogs"
"What fur :"
80 L can come down..
81 shan't do nuthin of the kind.
You is new to these parts, and you
don't come down till I call Jim !"
"Where is heY ?"
"At the saw-mill, over on the
branch"
"Well, please hurry up. I'm terri
bly, thirsty, and these mosquitoes are
enough to drive one crazy"
eyes, reckon but I never know
ed an honest man to take to tree
The dogs will see that you don't come
down afore / bring Jim" !"
1t was just an hour and half be-
fore she returned with her old man,
and he was carrying club in his
hand. During this interval the air
around me was literally alive with
mosquitoes. / killed 'em by the
thousand, but where one laid down
his life for his country three bit me
to the bone and escaped to brag of it.
The dogs remained on guard, and by
way of keeping up my spirits the
bloodhound tried his jumping powers.
I was twelve feet up. He could
jump eleven feet and SIX inches. He
tried it oyer and over again, but this
was the best he could do. The bull
dog had some thoughts of gnawing
the tree down, but gave up the idea
after working fifteen minutes. The
others sat and glared at me and
smacked their chops and tasted quail
on toast. When Jim and his wife
we're close to the tree they halted and
she said;
"That's him, up thar"
"Now, Bets, describe him, for I'm
too nigh-sighted to get his pints.
How's his harp
"Short."
us he saller complicated ?"
"No."
Eat or lean Z"
"Kind o. between"
"Chaw plug or fine-cut ?"
Cant say"
"Skeeters takin' to him ?"
Right smart"
"And he was ridin' Davis old mule,
eh ?"
"He was"
Stranger, who be you, wbar' you
goin' an who do you know in these
we're parts ?" asked Tim ss he came a