Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1907-07-26

heavy set, with face like the full
moon in harvest time, his scanty
locks somewhat grizzled with the
first snowfall of the winter of life,
came swinging down the walk with
great strides.
How air yet" he shouted before
reaching the gate. "Glory tells me
We ketched that son of Satan thar
jest in time. I'm mighty glad to
meet ye." He seized Theophilus'
hand and Theophilus tried to look
pleased.
Jack" shouted Colonel SnortalIy.
dusty cowboy with a sombrero on
the back of his head sauntered
around the corner of the house.
Take that boss out beyond thar'n'
shoot him. Come in Mister-er-"
Smith"
"Dinner'H be ready by'n by.
Wizard that beast come from?" he
added, pointing at Bucyrus.
Hes my mule" answered Theoph-
illus.
"You don't say so! S'posed you
know'd better'n that. Mules hain't
no place on this ranch. Can't we find
a greaser to give him tor"
"Bucyrus is no common mule"
said his owner, calmly; "he knows
more than any horse you ever saw.
And he can run, too.
This last remark amused the col
onel so nightly that he sat down on
the porch and laughed heartily. A
mule that could run! 81 never yet
clapped eyes on a mule that could
ketch yearlin' calf in a fair race.
Must be slow kentry you crowd
up in, young man." The colonel
wiped his eyes and chuckled.
well, if 1 stay" said the defender
of mules determinedly, iii show you
one mule that can run"
Stay! Of course yen stay if We
wanter," said Colonel Snortally, cor
daily. aye kin hev your pick of
jobs, an eff you must make a holy
show of that mule, we'll pervide the
necessary accessories.
Theophilus stayed He was handy
with the lariat, rode a horse like a
native and mule great deal bet
ter. He evidently understood all the
marks and deeps of the bovine char
acter, and very shortly won that for
himself which he could not for his
mule-the colonel's respect. When
Bucyrus would head off a skillful
stampeder, Colonel Snortally would
grumble something about fools rush
in in" and when he would dodge a
belligerent steer he would growl
something about a "fool for luck"
On the subject of mules the colonel
and Theophilus continued to dis
agree. They argued the question
morning, noon and night. The col
onel pointed out the bad qualities of
the mule; Theophilus grew eloquent
over the animals virtues. Glory
smiled, but took no part in the dis
cussion which resulted in the famous
race at Crag's Corner-a race that is
still memorable throughout all of the
Poncho Basin country.
The colonel brought out a long
legged mustang that he had pur-
chased across the border the year
before. This mustang was a sad de-
ceiVer, and had lightened the pocket
OF many cowboy who had backed
home animal against the imported
stock. A lightweight Mexican rode |
him. A few minutes later Bucyrus
ambled forth, wearing that surprised
look of mule when he is but half |
awakened from sweet dream of |
peace, with plenty of barley hay in |
it. Judge Arkansaw West officiated |
as starter and judge. All the inhab- |
1tants of the Basin were on hand to |
see the race, and even old man john |
son stopped his strengthening and |
came from over the range with all |
hands to enjoy the holiday.
AT the start the mustang ran away |
from Bucyrus, and at the quarter |
there was room enough for a thresh- |
ing machine between them. The |
crowd laughed and cheered, and the |
colonel issued a general invitation |
for 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 -as |
holding its breath. While the mus /
tang and Bucyrus were coming down |
the home stretch the colone's ccun- |
tenance was interesting, and when |
Bucy-us passed under the wire some |
thing more than an ear ahead, the |
colonel arose and made his way |
through the silence to Crags Palace
of Delight and family asked for a |
That night Theophilus showed a |
woeful lack of good taste He osten-
tatiously reviewed the merits of the
mule family, and of Bucyrus in par
ticular. The colonel sat in fiery 81
lence and chewed the cue of bitter
reflection, but finally, when Theoph- |
illus wound up by declaring that Bu- |
cyrus could outrun the Overland Linn /
tied from Crag's Corner to the noun
tain road crossing, a distance of a |
little over mile, Colonel Snortally |
arose in his wrath and swore.
III bet We anything We want that
yer wall-eyed apology fer boss can't
do anything of the kind he said.
Will you bet my pick of any hun
dred unimproyed acres on your ranch
against Bucyrus thai he can't?n
quietly asked Theophilus.
"Sartinly," said the colonel, who,
deep down in his heart, had liking
for Bucyrus.
"All right" said Theophilus; "if
you say so, we will settle it to-mor-
row-going west. The colonel said
so, and went to bed.
By the light Of the stars that night
a man rode hurriedly down to Crag's
Corner, the nearest railroad station,
and before dawn rode az hurriedly