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Show KICKED BY A MULE. j Bill Rollins had a mule. There was nothing-very nothing-very remarkable in the mere fact of his being- the happy possessor of such an animal, but there was something- peculiar about the mule. He couid hit harder and kick higher, on the slightest provocation, provo-cation, than anv mule on record. One morning when Bill was riding his property proper-ty to market, he met Harry Simms. against whom he had an old, but concealed grudge. He knew Simms to be a bragging and betting character and accosted him accordingly: 'How are you, Hurry ? Fine morning?' 'Hearty, squire,' replied Harry. 'Fine weather. Nice mule that you have. Will he do to bet on?' 4Bet on? Guess he will that. I tell you Harry Simms, he's thejbest mule in this country. Paid S5oo for him ' Goodness jfrjicloiu?!"" Is that so?' ejaculated Harry. Solid truth, every word of it. Tel? yo'u confidentially, confi-dentially, Harry, I'm taking him down for betting- j purposes. I bet he can kick a fly off from any man without its hurting him.' Now look here, squire, I am not a betting character, but I'll bet you something on that myself.' Harry there is no use ; don't bet, I don't want to win your money.' 'Don't be alarmed, squire; I'll take such bets as them every time.' 'Well, if you are determined to bet, I will' risk a small stake say $5." All right, squire, you're my man. But who'll he kick the fly off? There is no one here but you and I. You try it.' No,' says Rollins, 'I have to be by the mule's head to order him. 'Oh ! yass says Harry. 'Then probably I'm the man ! Wa'all I'll do it; but you are to bet ten against my five, if I risk it?1 AH right,' quoth the squire. 'Now, there is a fly on your shoulder. Stand still.' And Rollins adjusted the mule. Vhist, Dick,' said he. The mule raised his heels with such velocity and force that Simms rose in the air like a bird, and alighted on all-fours Tn a muddy ditch, bang up against a rail lence. Rising, in a towering rage, he exclaimed : Yass, that is smart! I knew yer darned mule j couldn'tdoit. You had that all put up. I wouldn't be kicked like that for fifty dollars. You can just fork over them are stakes for it any way, j Not sofast, Harry; Dick did just what I said he could ; that is, kick a fly of! a man without its ' hurting him. You sec, the mule is not injured by 1 the operation. However, if you are not satisfied, I we will try it again as often as you wish.' j 'The deuce take you,' growled Harry. I'd rather have a barn fall on me at once than have i that critter kick me again. Keep the stakes, but don't say anything about if ' j And Harry Simms trudged oh, in bitterness of H89h! soul, murmuring to himself, 'Sold by thunder I HjHS and kicked by a mule!1 HHhH i . iflHHB |