Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-02-28
BUSTER, THE ORACULAR MULE.
He Was Blindly Trusted, but Has Put HI
Friends in q Hole at Last

ne Wao Bludly Trusted, but Has Put His
Friends in Hole at Last.
A Wellsboro Me-, special to the New York
Sun says: Buster has done it at last. The hands
of the law have closed upon him and woe sits
| by the hearth at Uncle Morg Binders, in the
| Pine Greek region.
Buster is q mule-a little mouse-colored mule
that has been in the Binder family 30 many
years that his age is forgotten. He was the
autocrat Of the Binder premises. His chief
| duty was to haul Uncle Morg and Aunt Peggy
when they wanted to go visiting or to town to
trade. That is, Buster hauled them if he
hadn't made up his mind to a different course.
They never knew whether the mule was going
to take them or not until they got into the
wagon. Then Uncle Morg would take up the
lines and say:
snow, then, Buster! What o ye think
about it?''
II Buster pricked up his ears and started off
that was as much as to say that he thought it
was all right and he would take Uncle Morg
and Aunt Peggy wherever they were going, and
fetch them back home slick as a greaser. But
If Buster replied to Uncle Morg' inquiry by lay
ing his ears back on his shoulders and scowl-
ing, they knew that the mule thought it wasn't
all right and without another word Uncle Morg
and Aunt Peggy would dismount, unhitch the
mule and turn him out, and go contentedly
into the house to wait until some day when
Buster willing.
''Make him go agin his will Uncle Morg
always exclaimed when asked why he didn't
force the mule to 60. "W'y. man. sumpin' ID
happen surer'n 'tater rot If we shd go away
agin Busters idee o the matter! Buster
knowsw
1t was the same way with persons. Busters
opinion Of an individual decided Uncle Morg
and Aunt Peggy. When he folded his liberal
ears back and threatened rush upon any per-
son under his scrutiny that person could do no
business with the Binder family. Buster
knOws!' was always the emphatic remark of
his two loyal subjects after the mule had given
his opinion, and that in spite of several queer
Judgments the arbitrary Buster had put on
drove up to the Binder place once when the
railroad was building. He started for the
house, but Buster blocked the way. lie not
only laid back his ears and threatened the man
with his front, but turned abou: and let his
heels ny SO viciOusly and 30 rapidly in the di-
rection Of the mans head that the stranger
backed away and shouted to Uncle Morg. who
stood on the stOop, to call his mule OFF.
1--WE got some business with you" shouted
NO y hain't." replied Uncle Morg. ..Ye
hain't got no business with me. fer Busters
agin We, n Buster knows!'
The man went off in huff, and. come to find
out he was the agent of the railroad and
WaAeco W CoutIdCt Win SHcle hOrK IOr Il Dig
lot OF ties. The consequence was that other
parties got the contract which proved to be
| one with big money in it.
Don't care.' said Uncle Morg. ''Tbe
chances is th't if I'd ha took the contract I'd
ha' put the money In a bank n the bank d a
busted! Buster knowsn'
Then there was the new preacher in the dis
trict, the Rev. Absalom Dubbs the meekest.
mildest and most harmless of men. When
Brother Dubbs went to make his first pastoral
call on Sister Binder he was bounced off the
premises by Buster so quick that he never
knew how he got ont in the road. 1t saddened
the hearts of Uncle MOrg and Aunt Peggy to
know that Brother Dubbs had been weighed in
Busters balance and found lamentably
| wanting But there was no getting around it.
Brother Dubbs was under suspicion, and Uncle
Morg and Aunt Peggy stayed home from meet
ing all that year. Their faith in Busters wis
dom was not shaken bit by the fact that
the dominic quit the district with spotless
| record.
THE world hain't come to an end yitr' said
Uncle Morg. Preachers is doin' some tur'ble
queer things these days W en- We hain't s'pectin'
| Of it. Buster knowsr'
| But the oracular little mule is suffering
greatly in prestige now. Uncle Morg's and
Aunt Peggy's heretofore unwavering trust in
| Buster has been rudely shaken and their calm
philosophy does not serve to sustain them in
their painful awakening. Two or three months
ago one OF the incest appearing young men
| who had ever been seen in that part of the
Pine Creek country stopped his horse at the
Binder farm and got out of the wagon. Buster
took to him on sight. He put his nose on the
stranger sleeve and walked him right up to
Uncle Morgs door. Buster even seemed TO
want to follow the man into the house. he had
taken such a fancy to him. That was all the
recommendation Uncle Morg and Aunt Peggy
wanted for the stranger and he didn't dilly-
daily in presenting the business he had in hand.
In less than fifteen minutes he had Uncle
Morg's signature to contract to act as agent
| in that district for the Grab Quick Stump
Fuller and Lightning Chuck-hole Filler. Last
week the contract turned up in the shape Of
cut-throat judgment note for $3.50 and Uncle
Morg was called upon to settle He kicked and
they levied on property Of his, including the
| oracuiar mule.
If hef to pay the swindlin' note will, /"
says Uncle Morg "'Taint the money min d,
but to think th't AFTER we've let Buster hev the
run o the place fer twenty year n better he'd
turn to N steer us agin buncO game Is watts
breakin' us all up!'