The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1904-04-01


Smith IN his garden was successfully
planted by the coloniStS. and has re-
suited in the cultivation OF the lnagnl-
iicent seed that has long made this
state pry-eminenr in the quality OF its
rice.
Without the negro and the mule
this victory perhaps would never have
been accomplished. Farming imple-
ments and machinery used on rice
plantations have, through successful
invention, been brought to great per-
lection, by the negro and the rice
field mule remains as unimproved as
they were in the beginning.
On account of the soft, spongy soil
only small mules are employed in till
ing and harvesting the fields. They
are exceedingly agile and cat-llke in
movement. Great difficulty is al
ways experienced in rigging them up
for daily work Rawhide boots are
attached to their small feet by
thongs. The negro, if he owns any
boots. leaves them behind, for his
splay feet spread out like snow shoes
and prevent him from sinking in the
muck.
The stable into which rice field
mules are indiscriminately hustled at
night is entered at daylight by a
negro. who, with craking OF whip and
wild Indian war wl,oops. proceeds to
brighten the animals out Of an open
door. where stand the riders and
drivers ready to laSso them as soon
as they show their noses. Even with
the greatest dexterity it not lntre-
quently happens that a mule gets
loose. This is a signal for the stable
door TO be slammed and human inge-
nuity devised to circunvent the mule.
All who are able mount steeds, the
balance use the two legs God gave
them. Around and around they go in
the big stable lot. 1t is a perfectly
aimless chase, that depends upon ac-
cident for a climax. Sometimes the
mule. seized by a contemplatlve mood,
halts in the corner of the fence in Or
der to study his next manoeuvre. Ihe!
members of the chase Immediately
close upon him, with cries Of Whoa,
mule! Whoa, mule! Whoa. whoa!
IWhoa-a-a!" The whoas are finally re-
duced to the softest dimuendo. To the
outsider they have appeared super
huous, for the mule as soon as heI
took to the corner of the fence whoa
ed" in every muscle. and remained as
rigid as the statue OF Calhoun that
adorns the Citadel square. The only
hint of the devil beneath revealing it
self in a CLINT OF white eyeballs be-
low tightly backed ears. In the mean
while the pursuers in evident treplda-
ton. come closer and closer. their
Whoa, MULE sinks into the coax
ing tenderness of the cooing dove.
The mule appears thoroughly hyp-
Noticed. The most skiilful member
OF the herders throws his lasso. MOI
explosions of dynamite could occa-
sion greater scatteration! With al
buck. jump. never, exceeded, save by
the cow in the celebrated ditty OF
Hi, diddle, diddle." the mule bounds
over six-foot fence and is soon lost
to view. Gone for days rejoicing
and feasting in the luscious cane
brakes. where he can have intervals
OF leisure to contemplate with salts
faction how he outwitted his two
legged companion.
1t must not be thought. however.
that the mule is always victor, Tor he
is often worsted in the fray. After
harvesting he is as SCARED and batter
ed and one-eyed as was ever HAPPY
Hooligan" alter his ceaselesS encoun-
tiers with policemen, while the negro.
who has been gorg;ng on stolen rice
and 'po>s"m. is sleek and hearty.
The loneliness 0; spring on South
Carolina rice plantation must be
seen 70 be appreciated. 1t IS then
that the vivid color OF the young rice
burns like green flame. 1t is then
honnnaa daz.