Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1907-07-10

steer he would growl something about
a "fool for luck" On the subject Of
mules the colonel and Theophilus con-
tinued 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 discus
sion which resulted in the famous race
at Crag's Corner-a race that is still
memorable throughout all of the Pom
cho Basin country.
The colonel brought out long legged
mustang that he had purchased across
the border year before. This mus
tang was a sad deceiver, and had light
ened the pocket of many a cowboy who
had backed a home animal against the
imported stock. A lightweight Next
can 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 in it.
Judge ArkanSaw West officiated as
starter and judge. All the inhabitaits
of the Basin were on hand to see the
race. and even old man Johnson stop
ped his sheep-shearing and came over
the range with all hands to enjoy the
holiday.
At the start the mustang ran away
from Bucyrus, and at the quarter there
1crI iV,or
chine between them. The crowd
laughed and cheered, and the colonel
issued a general invitation to free
drinks for all present after the race,
for the colonel was very fond of his
own 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
government. He 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 homestretch the colonePs
countenance was interesting, and when
Bucyrus passed under the wire some
thing more than an ear ahead, the col
onel arose and made his way through
the silence to Crag's Palace of Delight
and family asked for stimulant.
That night Theophilus showed a woe
full lack Of good taste. He ostentatious-
~ reviewed the merits Of the mule fam
lily, and Of Bucyrus in particular. The
colonel sat in fiery silence and chewed
the cud of bitter reflection, but finally,
when Theophilus wound up by declar-
ing that Bucyrus could outrun the
Overland Limited from Crag's Corner
to the mountain road crossing, dis
lance Of a little over a mile, Colonel
Snortally arose in his wrath and swore.
"I'll bet We anything We want that
yer wall-eyed apology fer a boss can't
do anything Of the kind" he said.
"Will you bet my pick of any hun
dred unimproved acres on your ranch
against Bucyrus that he can't?" quiet
ly asked Theophilus.
"Sartinly," said the colonel, who,
deep down in his heart, hid liking for
Bucyrus.
"AII right" said Theophilus; IF you
going west" The colonel said SO, and
went to bed.
BY the light Of the stars that night
man rode hurriedly down to Crag's
Corner, the nearest railroad station,
and before dawn rode as hurriedly back
to the ranch again.
The next day was another day OF ex-
element in the Basin. The rumor Of
the novel race spread swiftly. That Is
why Ike Williams heard, way up in
Rocky Gulch, that Colonel Snortally
had bet his forty -thousand-acre ranch
against herd of mules that certain
swift animal Of that kind could beat
the Overland Limited in a ten-mile
race.
The wagon-road ran for miles along
the railroad track, so Bucyrus was not
handicapped. The race was an even
one up to the last fifty yards, when Blu
cyrus, by a tremendous squirt, shot
ahead and passed the crossing with
twenty feet of daylight between him
self and the engine. But there are
wiseacres in the Basin who shake their
heads when telling Of the 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 hundred
acres. He was not the less cheerful
because Theophilus the night before
had made him a present Of Bucyrus.
Theophilus proved an amazing chooser.
He took a narrow strip Of land running
from the corner up TO Warder's Canon,
at the foot Of the mountains. To the
colonel's Jesting about his choice, he
said something about it making a good
rac0track.
About a week later Theophilus was
enjoying one evening quiet after-din-
ner smoke on the Veranda. He was at