The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-03-28

lair race Must Dc slow kentry W
grow d up in, young man." The colonel
wiped his eyes and chuckled.
well, II I stay said the defender OF
mules dctcrminedly, "I'll show you one
mule that can run"
"Stayl OF course yen stay II ye want
Or" said Colonel Snortally cordially. "Ye
kin hev yer pick of jobs, an ef We must
make holy show of that mule we'll per-
vide the necessary accessories"
Theophilus staid He was handy with
the lariat, rode horse like native and q
mule q 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
his mule--the colonel's respect. When
Bucyrus would head of skillful STAN
peder, Colonel Snortally would grumble
something about "fools rushin in" and
when he would dodge q belligerent steer
he would growi something about a fool
for luck" On the subject of mules the
colonel and Theophilus continued to dis
agree. They argued the question morn
ing, noon and night. The colonel pointed
out the bad qualities OF. the mule. The
ophilus grew eloquent over the animals
virtues. Glory smiled, but took no part
in the discussion which resulted in the
famous race at Crag's Corner-a race that
is still memorable Throughout all az the
Poncho Basin country.
The colonel brought out q long legged
mustang that he had purchased across tho
border the year before. This mustang was
sad deceiver and had lightened the pocket
of many a cowboy who had backed a home
animal against the imported stock A
lightweight Mexican rode him. A few
minutes later Bucyrus ambled forth, wear
ing that surprised look Of mule when he
is but half awakened from a sweet dream
of peace with plenty Of barley hay In it.
Judge Arkansayv West officiated as stawter
and judge. All the Inhabitants Of the
Basin were on hand to see the race, and
even old man johnson stopped his sheep
shearing and came from over the range
with all hands 10 enjoy the holiday.
At the start the mustang ran away
from Bucyrus, and at the quarter there
was room enough for . thrashing machine
between them. The crowd laughed and
cheered. For some reason Glory did not
smile. But when the animals reached the
half there was q change. Bucyrus SEEM
ed to remember that he was neither asleep
nor working for the government. He be-
gan to run. At the last quarter there was
silence, for the crowd was holding Its
breath. The mustang and Bucyrus came
down the home stretch, and Bucyrus pass
ed under the wire something moro than
an ear ahead.
That night Theophilus showed woe
full lack Of good taste. He ostentatiously
reviewed the merits of the mule family
and of Bucyrus In particular. The colonel
sat in fiery silence and chewed the cud Of
Ix,,A L,v, h.
ophilus wound up by declaring that Buoy
rus could outrun the Overland limited
from Crag's Corner to the mountain road
crossing distance Of little over q mile,
Colonel Snortally arose in his wrath and
swore.
I'm bet ye anything 70 want that yer
wall eyed apology fer boss can't do any
thing of the kind, E" he said
''Will you bet my pick Of any hundred
unimproved acres on your ranch against
Bucyrus that he can't" quietly asked
Theophilus.
"Sartinly," said the colonel, who, deep
down in his heart, hid liking for Buoy
rus.
"All right, said Theophilus. "If you
say SO, we will settle it tomorrow-going
west" The colonel said SO and went to
bed.
By the light Of the stars that night q
man rode hurriedly down to Crag's Cor
ner, the nearest railroad station, and be-
fore dawn rode as hurriedly back to the
ranch again.
The next day was another day Of excite
ment in the Basin. The rumor Of the nov
ell race spread swiftly. That is why Ike
Williams heard, way up in Rocky Gulch,
that Colonel Snortally had bet his 40, 900
acre ranch against herd Of mules that a
certain swift animal of that kind could
not beat the Overland limited in a ten
mile race.
The wagon road ran for miles along the
railroad track, so Bucyrus was not handi-
capped. The race was an even one up to the
last so yards, when Bucyrus, by a ire
mendous squirt, shot ahead and passed the
crossing with 30 feet of daylight between
himself and the engine. But there are
wiseacres in the Basin who shake their
heads when telling of that wonderful race
and hint that the engineer was half asleep.
Colonel Snortally was a good loser, and
he cheerfully invited Theophilus out the
next day to choose his 100 acres. He was
not the less cheerful because Theophilus
the night before had made him a present
of Bucyrus Theophilus proved an amaz-
ing chooser He took a narrow strip of
land running from the corner up to War
der's canyon, at the foot Of the mountains.
To the oolonel's testing about his choice
he said something about 1t making good
race track.
About a week later Theophilus was en-
joying one evening a quiet after dinner
smoke on the veranda. He was at peace
with the world, when Colonel Snortally
came up the walk. The colonel's face was
like the sun shining red through thun-
dercloud. He was too much agitated to
speak for minute, but when he did begin
to talk his words were to the point. From
his expressions one might gather that he
was perturbed by the fact that Theophilus
had sold certain hundred acres of land as
a right Of way to the Great Southwestern
Railway company. Colonel Snortally fin
ished by declaring his intention of remov
ing from the scene a stranger who had
taken him in, and Herewith drew his re-
volver.
There was a rustic Of dress, low cry,
and Glory was sobbing, with her face on
ThaonhiI.,st ohA,,l1ar