Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1901-06-13

amusement. But then, am willing 10
wager that some of those boys do not
posst ss one-half the sense Of my dumb
friend"
The evening shades were beginning
to gather and the festivities at the hall
were ended, while q great crowd was
leaving the building, when suddenly
the cry of Runaway was heard above
the hustle and rustic of human forms.
The excitement attending the word
caused wild and instantaneous scram-
BILE on the part of the men and boys to
reach place from which they could
view the spectacle, and upon the part
of the women to secure place of safety
Thetown hall proprietor had received
a message by telephone that the two
horse carriage belonging to Squire Bens
ton was heading toward the building.
The coachman had stepped down
from the vehicle, when the horses took
an unaccountable fright, starting along
the highway at Il terrific speed, with
Lillian Benton the sole occupant,unabc
to control the frenzied beasts.
Then like a flash from around bend
in the road the team came in sight,with
vision of the helpless Lillian clinging
TO the seat.
At this fearful moment the attention
Of the crowd was partly diverted to a
view of Jack Blxby and his "homelv
beast" who was making great speed
across the open field with the apparent
intention Of nterccpting the runaways.
The swiftness of the ungainly brute
seemed marvellous, his short legs cover
ing the ground with race-horse speed.
Would he reach the flying span in time?
A feeling of horror augmented IN the
minds of all the spectators. Jack was
now seen to bend over the neck of his
steed and to whisper something into one
of those huge ears. The result was at
once perceptlble. The intelligence of
the mule seemed to partake of sudden
human faculties.
AS if he knew what was required of
him, he flung his limbs forward with
greater CELEBRITY, boldly jumping bitches
with a grace which would have brought
applause even in the Derby.
A thousand pair Of eyes gazed at the
scene with a strange fascination, and
yet trembled at what might be the re-
suit.
Mule and rider had now reached the
side Of the maddened horses, when the
steady hand of Jack Bixby grasped at
the reins. There was sharp collision
rs the two forces met, and then Il tretful
wllnny as Dick fell before the terrified
horses, and willing hands came to rem
der assistance.
Jack opened his eyes in the village
drug store to find the beautiful face of
Lillian Benton regarding him anxIously
WON were not hurt :" he queried.
NO." replied the squire's daughter,
THANKS to you and your noble animal,
! am uniniured." And the charmiugly
grateful smile che gave the boy was, as
he afterward remarked, Nenough to fully
repay me for what | had donc,'
Out of lively gratitude, Squire Ben
ton obtained for Jack far more lucra.
tlye position than attending to the farm
Now the brave boy and his mother
live in one Of the magnate's best tena-
ments, rent free.
Bixby was presented with one of the
horses he had so valiantly stopped, and
as he was always Vat home" in the sad
die he now has his new steed as doclle
as Dick, his "homely mule
AS Tor the latter, it struts around
with one leg in bandages, and to all
appearances is proud of its wounds.
Jack Bixby's old home Is now Dicks
stable; and the entire village takes
pleasure in helping its glad owner to
provide for his dumb friend, who is now
II privileged character, with free access
to amy part of Riverside, even though 1t
be Squire Bcnton's 8 lawn.
Pretty Miss Benton often visits Dick,
and feeds him many tasty morsel.
The village boys have long since laid
aside the fun-1naking title of "homely
beast" and have placed a sign above
the mules stable door, with the words;
THIS IS DICK, OUR HERO MULE.