The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-02-12
ATHLETE MADE MAUDE BE STILL
 THEN RODE HER
And Cliff Berzac, on Demand of Audience, Gave Up
 $50 Cold Plunks
Now Merrill, Who Is Loco Tester, Declares He Will Ride Maude for $50.

"Maude, the marketable mule" is rideable. Albert Merrill. a resident of Stratford, demonstrated to the audience, at Polls, last evening, that ''Maude," the property of Cliff Berzac, has now met her master. 'Mauue" and her owner, delighted in the fact that no one had ever mounted the mules back anu stayed there, Berzac was so sure oI 1t that he has an oAIer ot S1U tor every minute man Wlll stay on the animal. But Merrill was too clever for "Maude" and her OWn- CT. lie resorted to a clever ruse to take the Wlry mule unaware. 50 cIeverIy did he work his trek that MT. Berzac even held the quadruped while Merrill strode on its neck and not its back. He locked his two feet about the mules tore legs, and then with his wlry fingers grasped the wind pipe of the animal "Maude" Kicked ana Spurted from side to side, but Merrill still clung on. It may be said that at the start, "Mauue" appeared to have the better of the argument, but in the end Merrill $ claws began to get in their good work OF the animals wind. Owner Berzac then discovered the trick, by which Merrill hung on. He with his attendants attempted to free Merrill from his position on the mules neck, as the latter was beginning to set went too far in their objections. a mixup ensuing on the stage in clear view of the audience.
 In the midst of the excitement, Merrill dismounted from his position cn the animals back, while the cur tain was rung down. Throughout the whole proceedings, the house, which nj fn thusiastic in it's outbursts of applause at the work of Merrill. On the stage all was excitement till cooler heads arrived on the scene.
 The curtain was again rung up, Mir. Berzac stepping to the front, explain 1t was unfair for the rider to use such tactics to stay on the animals s back. He could not finish his little say, as the house was very demon- strative and loudly insisted that he pay. Berzac insisted on speaking, whereupon the majority of the audi ence missed, and shouting, Pay the man." Berzac seeing that he was alone, shouted out, Well, how long did he ride. Various estimates, rang ing from five to ten minutes, were given out, but a gentleman in tho front row, who had his watch on the rider, stated that it was two minutes.
 ANO IL WciS lHIe0, quoted dnOLner timer. Well I'll give him the bene- fit of the doubt, and let it go at three minutes" said Berzac.
 Then turning to Merrill, who was on the stage during the after excite ment, he said, "Go to the box office and and get your sso Then come back out trying to cut her wind off, As Merrill stepped from the stage the applause which greeted him was thunderous. He went out to the box office where he received his $50, but did not return to the stage.
 Merrill is big husky fellow, about 40 years of age, a tester with the Locomobile Go. He is former ath- lete. He had heard of the unride- able mule at Poli's and with other testers at the Loco plant attended the performance, last evening. He said that he would ride the mule. and put money on it. Last evening after he received his money, he stated that he would be around again this evening, and would ride the animal for $50 worth.