The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-10-22
How Jim Rode the Mule,

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: When
the LIST Conn. II. \. placed their batteries
in position at the defenses back from Har.
risOn's Landing. Oh the James River, after
the notable Seven Days Retreat" the
writer went. one day. to n spring in q
field outside the breastworks. for water.
Feeding in an adjoining field, l noticed a
remarkably fine mare mule, and having
lost my horse few days previously, I
thought it a good chance to supply myself
with a mount ! therefore quietly ap-
preached. and had little difficulty in cap
turing Mrs. Mule, somewhat to my sur
prise, as she appeared to be quite young
and high spirited. As she had nothing
but rope about her neck, / took a turn
about her lower jaw. and leading her to
the fence. jumped on her back. l pro-
fcssed myself to be quite an equestrian,
but I had barely touched her back. be-
fore | found myself on my back. or the
ground Nightly astonished and full Of
anger nj the ease with which it was done,
again led her To the fence and making
careful preparations. / again mounted her,
but had no chance TO get my heels togeth-
er under her belly ere / once more went
sailing through the air, coming down
with Ii force that convinced me that III
had "geuteel sufticiency," as the saying
goes. While thinking over the mules abil-
ty as Il iirst-class cOntortionist, l remem-
bered the many boastful utterances of our
darky wagon driver. Jim. who really w:s
n remarkably good rider, and | thought
there was some prospect of fun ahead. Sc
led Mrs Mule to camp. tied her to Il tree.
in rear of camp and hunted up Jim. first
informing my comrades of the fun at
hand. as well as the men in the infantry
supporting the batteries. and arranging
that they should gather around. apparent
y by chance. l offered Jim if he would
break in tie mule so | conld ride her.
50 bill. and he was as vain as peacock
over my ilattcring mention of his abilities
as rider. and proudly assured me he
could certainly do it for shuah.' We
held the mule, and Jim saddled her, and
after little diminishing around. and
cinching her up tightly. he put OF his great
Mexican spurs. and taking a short thick
whipstock from his wagon. he mounted.
while half n dozen of us held her firm.
Jim locked his spurs together under her
belly, and with II broad grin and the re-
mark of how easy il was to ride Il mule,
il you only knew how" told us 10 let go.
For about two minutes we hardly knew
where Jim and the mule were. or what
they We're doing but concluded they had
something To do with the cloud of dust
that was rising thickly all about us.
Presently the dust commenced 10 settle.
and we discovered them in pretty near
the same position In which we had last
seen them. Jim still IN the saddle. the
mules legs bruccd out, and she now refIs-
ing to move in any direction. although Jim
now used both whip and spur. TIL lasted
so long. and we jeerei and chafc poor
Jim so INCREASINGLY. that he finally be-
came careless or reckless OF consequences
and allowed his legs to hang loosely. his
heels unlocked from their hold. 1t was
but n moment, now. before Mrs Mule real
lied that her time had come. and was not
slow To take advantage of it for we saw
Il huge black shape go sprawlins over
our heads. ana land in the deep sink dug
in rear of tn. company kitchen.
AS Jim Strengthened up out of his dis
gushing bath. and clambcred out. smeared
from head TO foot. the expression on his
face was enough to coDvulse a corpse. and
al the roar that went up from the hnn-
dreds who had witnessed the feat Jim
turned up his eyes. and with a muttereI
curse at The mule. he FASTENED off TO his
wagon. and was never. to my knowledge,
known to boast of his proves as a rider
OF vicious horses or mules. The writer
had no further use for such 4 playful ami
nal. so turned her loose.-WALTER =.
SAGE. C Co., list Conn. III. A, Milwan-
kee Wis