The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-04-13
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than a mule. and that is the man who
rides one"
But your father doesn't know Blu
cyrus"
Nor his owner" she rejoined. laugh
ing.
They stopped in front of a long, low
adobe ranch house. with deep-set win
dows and doors. Ivy circled the win
dows and climbed TO the caves. A few
hrs, some tall blue gums and dozen
palms stood in the front yard. The
house was set far back, and the ver-
anda that surrounded IL was half hid
den I'm the green OF orange trees.
stream from the mountains ran through
the orchard In the rear. its course
marked by a line OF cottonwoods and
willows, that broke the mono.bly of
the otherwise treeless mesa. IN the
other side Of the creek. and at some
distance from the house, were the cor
rails and stables OF the ranch.
The young woman stepped lightly to
the ground. Il will call papa" she
said
A few minutes later tall man.
heavy set, with a face like the full
moon in harvest time, his scanty locks
somewhat grizzled with the first snow
fall of the winter OF life. came swing
ing down the walk with great strides.
How air yet" ne shouted before
reaching the gate. GLORY tells me ye
ketched that son OF Satan thar Jest in
time. I'm mighty glad 10 meet ye.' He
seized Theophilus' hand and Theophllus
tried 10 look pleased
Jack" shouted Col. Snortally. A
dusty cowboy with a sombrero on the
back OF his head sauntered around the
corner OF the house. Take that hoss
OUT beyond tha n shoot him. Come in
Mister-er"--
smith
"Dinner'n be ready by'n by. Wizard
that beast come FROM he added,
pointing at Bucyrus.
Hes my mule" answered Theophi-
lus
you don't say SO, Speed you
you know'd better'n that Mules hain't
no place on this ranch. Cant ye find
a greaser 10 give him tor
"Bucyrus Is no common mule said
his owner. calmly, "he knows more
than any horse you ever saw. And he
can run, too"
This last remark amused the colonel
so nightly that he sat down on the
porch step and laughed heartily. A
mule that could run. II never yet
clapped eyes on a mule that could
ketch "A yearling calf in fair race.
Must be "a slow kentry you crowd up
In. young man" The colonel wiped his
eyes and chuckled.
We'll. If / stay" said the defender
of mules. determinedly, III show you
one mule that can run"
stay OF course. yell stay II ye
wanter." said Col. Snortally. cordially.
"Ye kin hev your pick OF jobs, an ef
YOU must make a holy show of that
mule we'll pervide the necessary ac-
cessories.'
Theophius stayed. He was handy
81. a
native. and a mule a great deal better.
He evidently understood all the marks
and deeps OF the bovine character, and
very shortly won that for himself which
he could not for the mule-the coloneIs $
respect. When BuCyrus would head of
a skilful stampeder ColSnortally would
grumble something about fools rush
in in" and when he would dodge
beligerent steer ne would growl some
thing for fool for luck" On the
subject Of mules the colonel and Theo-
philus continued TO disagree. They
argued the question morning, noon and
night. The colonel pointed out the bad
qualities Of the mule; Theophilus grew
eloquent over the animals virtues.
Glory smiled, but took no part in the
discussion. which resulted in the fam
Gus race at Crags Corner-a race that
Is still memorable throughout all of the
PonCho Basin country.
The colonel brought out a long-legged
mustang that he had purchased across
The border the year before. This mus
tang was sad deceiver. and had light
ened the pockets OF many a cowboy
who had backed home animal against
the imported stock. A lightweight
Mexican rode him. A few minutes later
Bucyrus ambled forth, wearing that
surprised look of mule when he is but
half awakened from a sweet dream Of
peace with plenty of barley hay i'm il.
Judge Arkansaw West ofliciatcd as
starter and Judge. Al 1.-The inhabitants
OF the Basin were on hand 10 see the
race, and even old man Johnson stop
ped sheep shearing and came from over
the range with all hands TO enjoy the
holiday.
At the start the mustang ran away
from Bucyrus, and at the quarter there
was room enough for a thrashing ma
chine between them. The crowd laughed
and cheered. and the colonel issued a
general invitation 10 free drinks for all
present after the race, for the colonel
was very fond OF his opinion. For
some reason Glory did not smile But
when the animals reached the half
there was a change. Bucyrus seemed to
remember that he was neither asleep
nor working for the govcrnnerrt.-tfe
began To run. At the last quarter there
was silence, for the crowd was holding
it's breath. While the mustang and
Bucyrus were coming down the home
stretch the Colonels countenance was
interesting, and when Bucyrus passed
under the wire something more than an
ear ahead the colonel arose and made
his way through the silence 20 Crag's
Palace of Delight and family asked for
a stimulant.