New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-06-21
A LONG ISLANDER md HIS DONKEY.
AN ODD BUSINESS TRANSACTION.

His name was Al Foster, and he was amphbiouA
sort Of creature. fishing most Of the time. dredging
for oysters in the season, and in the winter making
a scanty livelihood by shooting duck on the great
South Bay. A Slow hafwitted Individual with
gOodly quantity OF sly cunning that stood him in
good stead in lieu of intelligence on dry land he
i'll at ease, and dsliked going afoot, wherefore
he had somehow become the owner Of the most uniqus
equipage on the south ShOrca comical travesty OF
the fashions Of the Z" Workers. II a blackboard
constructed ont Of long. unplaned deal board hung
between four high and ancient wheels so spindy and
queer looking that it marvel where they could
have been procured. The extraordinary vehicle was
drawn by quite the ugllest and biggest donkey ever
from his size he might well have been taken for
mule, but his length Of ears and powerful bray left
no doubt that he was veritable and unadultcrated
This animals hide great curiosity
every other detail Of this wonderful turnout His
skin covered with short, coarse black hair but
ever and like patch OF gorse on a common
would be clUmp Of thick. reddish foiage-an odd word
maybe. in such a connection, but I'm truth the Of
hair looked more like clumps bushes anything
else As Jehu Of this establishment Al himself was
not out Of keeping His own hair. which long
and plentiful and bleacfed TO yellow wilderness by
the sum- escaped through the interstices of ola
straw hat in shaggy profusion, while his nutbrown
face, blue eyes and white teeth gave a picturesque
touch to the whole making subject which an artist
would have loved to paint. One summer, however,
when his finances low Al sold his donkey to
family OF children and perforce went afoot. few
weeks afterward as the family were sitting on the
verands In the evening, voice was heard from the
road singing with tipsy hilarlty. 1t proved TO be Al
trudgng along and chanting in sort Of refrain 81
wish l had that donkey now, do, do, do;
wish I had that donkey now l dO'-and so on
until his voice died away In the distance In the
meanwhile "Turnps" the children had chrlstened
their acquisition, showed that If the master
lacked intellect he had more than his share Of mute
ptall He aar1I nacfIv
man, and nothing escaped that OF his. After
his arrival the coachman noticed that the oats dsap
pearcd with wonderful rapidty from the bin In which
they were kept and he soon discovered that Turnps
had found out the trick OF the wooden bolt and had
access to the coveted dainty pleasure. The garden
gate too investigated, and conquered, and
tho donkey passed delightful morning among tha
Begorra, and I'll fix yez" said the irate gar
dener he fetched a rope and tied up the gate With
a series of sldlfu knots. Turnips watched the pro-
ceedings from afar with serious mien, and when tho
had gone away, the animal came up TO the gate,
found he cod 10 longer lift the latch with his nose
After minutes evident deIIberatlon he withdrew
few PAGES, and then began sudden and violent rush
and brought his body Sideways against the somewhat
stepping solemny over the ruins the victorious beas,
once more Nor resumed o ih OF the corned
fisherman, presented himself before the door r.,
about the donkey, sir,' he said with an DsnuatSs
smile on his handsome foolish face "TI'll keen him
for you If you like for the winter and won't charge
you nothing" Glad to get rid OF Troublesome chargs
Mr. A. consented, 1drnips welcomed his Old
master with joyful bray and the two went of toeethe,
to their old quarters and the first day the children
back from the village in great excitement Papa
what do you Think they all exclaimed soon as they
within eaIshot, Al has sold donkey ~ T1cy
had found him at the blacksmiths in a paddock Uow
Turnips herel" they asked the Village vulcan
Materially enough" SAID the smith, 'seen' as paid
for him." But he's ours said the indignant lila
ones" Wall, guess not meow any way,S answered.
the impelturabe Long Islander well knowing thai no.
session nine tentls of the laws. ~
Let the matter 60, said Papa the lazy the brqlts
was perfect nuisance any way but the children wero
when out the bay In their fathers they esped |
old patched sail in the distance they started I'm nurit
AIS conscience was evidently guilty for as soon as he
saw their Intentions lie put about and started of i'm the
opposite direction. And now commenced a most excit.
ing chaseAl was by far the best sailor. and moreover
knew his ground rather water: but has Old boat wa:
no match for Mr.. AS webut little craft which soon
Overhaued the old fishing boat Brought 10 bay Al
suddenly changed his tactics why. it's YOU folks is
and how be you all ?" Where's donkey ~ coru ed
the indignant little boys Yes AL" saim Mr. A. enjoy
ing the situation. We would ike you bring t.s
donkey up tomorrow
The fisherman let his sail out into the wind and an
peared az the stern of the boat. Look here Mr. A.,
guess YOU can't have that there d0nkcy,' lie sald in
wheedlng tone with his usual broad SMILE why not
said Mr.. A.. with attempted sternness. Cause there's
IeasOns. called out the little boys again as the two
boats bodied up and down in fresh wind. Al looked
a opG hm o wall II Won mnSt ro ' la sL hd
'ere donkey. and spent the money and / haven't !,
cent and what want to know is what YOUR goln' TO
do about 1t ~ And Als foolish face showed such funny
admxture Of anxiety. sly ness, and audacity with tho
cleaning Of hope In his blue and hafwistful SMILE
boys who not at all appealed TO by the picturesque
OF the situation. then and there for $l0. And Al
received moral lecture to which he listened with .
grin OF relief and delight