Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1895-04-26

peareu O nave no JOINTS. Ont
miner, when Jerry's life as a mine
mule commenced, remarked this
fact and said: "That mules no
good; his joints is stiff" and he
scratched Jerry's leg with long
wlsp of straw. 1t tickled aud the
man lodged just in time to escape
Jerrl's boots, which spllutered the
end of a car against which he had
been leaning. Thus Jerry earned
his reputation as a vicious animal.
He kllIeO one man. The fellow
was brute and Jerry was obstinate
at times, consequently the mulr
was sometimes horribly beaten and
kicked. One day the fellow re
solved to get rid of the animal
forever, and mixed lot of broken
glass with The corn. "There," be
said, as he completed the operation.
"Tharll tx yOn." and he aimed a
terrific k ok at Jerry. The heavy
nailed boot cut open the flesh.
Jerry's hOofs flew ont with ligh'-
nlng speed aud struck the man. In
the excitement which followed
jerry did not eat the corn, and his
next driver discovered the glass
and threw 1t away.
Thus it was that jerry sustain.
ed his bad reputation and added
to 1t at various times, to the terror
OF the driver boys aud stable
bosses.
The baby was the only child OF
young John Williams, a clerk IN
the mine office.
She caught a heavy cold dur.
ing the winter, and the doctor was
called IN and prescribed medicine
which the baby swallowed with
greater or less avidity, acc )rding
to its sweetness or nastiness. But
medicine did the baby no good
and she was growing so weak and
thin that Mrs. Williams found
tears starting to her eyes as she
looked at her and Mr.. William,
went to the Office with a very
grave face and worked nervOusly v
over his books. Then Grandma
Williams came to the rescue. ."TAke
tha. child down to the mine," she
said. "aud let 1t breathe the air
there for half an hour each day
for a week, that will cure her."
Down the miner" exclaimed
Mrs. Williams. horrIted.
"Yes, down The mine, and she
shall go this very day and L will
60 with her,"
"Bnt@" demonstrate d MIR.
and Mrs. Williams in unison.
"No butts about it," said Grand
ma Williams. "JOhn put on your
coat; Mary Ellen, wrap baby up
warmly aud stop crying"
Grandma Williams had her way.
The baby went down the shaft and
in the low, black gangway, breath.
ing the gaseous mine air day after
day, and grew strong and lusty
agaID. 1t was on one of these
visits that the baby and Jerry
made each others acquaintance.
On The day they first met Jerry
stood near the bottom of the shaft.
The baby'S father had put tht
baby, who WAS growing heav,,
IOwn on the track aud was talking
to some miners. Tle babv seeing
a light a few Yards away ut was
on Jerry's head) went toward it
and fOnnd jerry, He was half
doing when Tudely awakened by
so nething grssDing one OF his
tOrelegs. A vicious gleam sbOne
from his eyes and his ears were
laid back fat along his head as he
prepared to repulse ths daTiug
person who was taking such liberty
with hin. Then be looked down
and saw little laughing rosy lace
gazing up iUt0 bis and pair ol
uny arms grasped tightly round
his muscular leg. Toe next mInote
when the miners and haby's father
turned and, with cry of horror,
saw the light of the vicious mules
lamp shining on the baby's head,
Jerry's ears were pointed down.
ward and be was whinnyIDg
softly. The men sprsug forward,
one snatched the baby away, an
other drove the mule back, bul
) the baby began to cry and stretch
out her tiny hands toward Jerry,
while he, still whinnying, gazed
at her with such q look of intelI:
gent curiosity that bis driver said,