Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-07-16
THE CLAY-BANK MULE.

Kit Virgins
| And his -bank-mule-
Multum in parvo-e pluribus unum-one
and inseparable!
I've loved lots and cords of women in
my life, and loved them for all they were
worth; but I'll bet my head never loved
one Of them half so much as old Kit Wig
gins loved that clay-bank mule.
That was Kits one redeeming quality.
| The mule had none whatever. He would
bite, kick or throw you down on short no.
tice. The boys used to say Pokytaligo-
that was the mules name-could kick the
shortening out Of biscuit and never
break the crust. That was perhaps an ex-
aggeration, but do know he could throw
| you higher and let you fall harder than
any broncho that ever bucked.
| should hate to venture a guess as to
how many seasons Pokytaligo had turned
| the sod in Euharlee Valley, but he was
grey in the TANKS, and his ears stood as
straight up as if they were supported by
| iron bolts to the top Of his vicious skull.
Nevertheless Kit Virgins heart was
wrapped up in Pokytaligo, and love nor
money could tempt him to part with the
| mule.
1t was along toward the last years of the
| war, and the buShwhackerS were running
| wild riot among the Blue Mountains on
one side, while the thunders of Chicka-
| manga were reverberating along the VAL
leys of the Cohuttahs.
Then we decided to organize home
| guard out of superannuated men, invalids,
| shoemakers, school teachers and boys, to
| protect our homes from the raids Of the
ruthless bushwhackers and the raiders and
foragers from the advancing legions of
| the enemy.
| On the day appointed we rendezvoused
at the appointed place and proceeded to
| organize.
| Wewere cavalry, but such cavalry as
never was seen before. Mounted on all
| sorts of animals, from the cavorting STALL
! ion to the scarcely bridewise colt, and as
a fitting finale. Kit Virgins mounted on
| Pokytaligo.
81 tell ye, boys, don't like this ere
| business bit. Ell we we're to stay at
| home and not bother 'em they'd most in
| ginerly not pester us. But eff we go to
| shown fight, they're shore to wipe us
| up. Howsomever, I amt def to my
country's call, an I'm here. hain't much
on the wing, but gimme a rest an KIN
fetch down Yank at 1875 steps, nine out o.
ten, an I'll bet on IT.
| Would you bet Pokytaligo on it?" asked
| Dick Sneed.
"N-no, can't say that I would, fur I
don't bet Pokytaligo agin anything.
Sides, I've got heap to do. Thars my
sorghum's still in the patch, an a suffer1n'
fur grindin', an Pokytaligo's my main
stake"
You needn't stay if you don't want
to-" said Dick, "for we don't want nothin'
but brave men in these ere tryin' times"
Don't holler till yer hit Mr.. Sneed. I'm
agwine to stay tell the dangers over any
| how"
| The truth Of the business was that Kit
was afraid to stay by himself and all the
men in the field, and that was why he
risked his own hide and that Of Pokytaligo
| in this enterprise.
All day long we patrolled the valley and
| made circuit Of all the points where the
enemy was most likely to appear, just itch
| ing for skirmish.
| At night we struck camp in q little piece
of woods at the foot of a hill and put out
sentries. We decided not to kindle any
| fires, as we were all supplied with ready
| cooked rations from our homes.
1T is no use to run any unnecessary
| risks, and If we camp in the dark we are less
| liable to attract notice and be surprised"
| said Captain Thrasher.
| "How will we see to saddle up and get
ready for war in case we are tuck by sur
prise?" asked Dick Sneed.
| "Why, don't unsaddle at all. Just slip
| the bits out Of your horses mouths until
they eat, and then bride them up again
| before you go to sleep. Keep your guns
by you, and you will be ready at a mo-
ments warning. The main thing is to keep
quiet"
Better make Kit Virgins tie rock to
Poky taligo's tail then, for if he don't bray
when he smells strangers, the DEVILS
hog"
"Il answer for Pokytaligo," muttered
Kit, eur he's got more sense than ha'f
you fellers."
Supper was eaten, the horses put in po-
sition, and in short while the camp was
wrapped in slumber. One of our sentinels
was armed with an old trumpet-muzzled
musket that sounded like a young cannon
| when it went of, and in case of an alarm
he was to turn loose the old fusee for all
he was worth.
We were all tired with the long ride, and
slept profoundly. One of the pickets,
poor fellow, was unable to resist the Sc
ductive surroundings, and dropped into q
doze. Being suddenly reused by stray
COW, he grabbed up his gun and popped
| away at her.
"Baw-waw-waw!" beloved the old COW
and bang went the big musket with a re-
port that Jared the ground where we lay.
Gee haunk-er-haunker haunkr' went
Pokytaligo, to add to the confusion; and
in twinkling there was a rush Of men
and snorting and kicking Of frightened
horses that was enough to rouse the dead.
Kit Virgins awoke just as the echoes Of
Pokytaligo's supreme effort died away,
and tripping over his gun he made grab
for his mule.
At one bound he was in the saddle, but
unfortunately he got up the wrong way,
with his face to the mules tail.
"Woa, Poky," he yelled as he reached
forward for the bride, and then with 8
SNOw-The EI0vicf