Madge Merrill's Mule Ride
Dublin Core
Title
Madge Merrill's Mule Ride
Creator
"Her Mother"
Source
http://addison.vt.edu/record=b1775388~S1
Publisher
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Date
May 5, 1877
Contributor
Abbey Williams, Peter Royal
Rights
Permission to publish images from The Gray Jacket must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.
Format
Text
Language
English
Type
Poem
Identifier
LD5655.V8 L4, ser.1, v.2, no.7 (May 1877), p.1
Text Item Type Metadata
Text
BLACKSBURG, May 5th, 1877.
MR. HAW, MUCH RESPECTED SIR :- We, the members of the N. S. S., suppose it is to you we are indebted for the delicate attention shown us, by the presentation of a copy of your charming paper, the GRAY JACKET.
We beg you will accept (if deemed worthy) the following contributions to the columns of your next number.
Respectfully, N. S. S. P.
Some bards have sung the glories of the chase,
Others again more quiet pleasures chant,
But mine the task, to tell of a mule race,
By maiden ridden, with a 'Squire gallant.
Some months ago our quiet little town
Had greeted a horse-tamer, mighty in his art,
Who, in consideration of two dollars down,
The wished for power to any would impart.
Many there were who to him gladly went,
Seeking for knowledge, (though they were no fools.)
Some, solely on the secret were intent,
While others much desired to ride the "spotted mules."
At length our Rarey, having booked much cash,
Took his departure, seeking new fields for gain;
But one keen student, bent upon a dash,
Secures the mules, so with him they remain.
And now the mules upon our quiet streets
Are often seen, bestrode by some "gray jacket;"
And ne'er was seen of mulemanship such feats;
And never heard, I warrant, such a racket.
But not to every student in the school
Was this much longed for privilege accorded—
The few alone, could ride a painted mule,
And thus were friendly acts sometimes rewarded.
A merry maid, with spirits young and high,
Hearing her friends their pleasant rides recount,
Thought she would like a mule-back ride to try,
So "Lize" promised she should have a mount.
Faithful in that, as in most things he tries,
He leaves no stone unturned to gain his end;
Backwards and forth he trots—(prove patient "Lize")-
Success at last his efforts cloth attend.
The mules are promised—time set for the ride.
A minor trouble now is brought to view;
The mule Eliza rides will not whate'er betide,
Consent to take the lead. Whatever shall we do.
Madge laughing, cries, "I'm sure it was decreed
That woman should be followed, so I'll go in front.
If danger dire, our pathway should impede,
I'll step aside, leave you to bear the brunt."
The Mater, busied with some household matter,
Sits quietly, with thoughts on work intent;
Sudden—she hears a most unwonted clatter,
And quickly goes, well knowing what it meant.
The hall door gained, what is it that she sees?
A merry imp is dancing in "Liza's" eyes.
But who is that half hidden by the trees?
'Tis "Bob," I do believe, in woman's guise.
Now Madge appears, swift running down the stairs.
"Help me to mount! Will some one fetch a stool;
"Tis true, I say, I am not putting on airs,
I can't jump on, though 'tis a little mule."
Now she is on—dress, stirrup, all is right;
Eliza, too, has mounted with a bound;
What ails his mule, has it gone crazy quite?
It's really waltzing—whirling, round and round.
Madge cuts her mule, it starts up the street.
It's comrade gone, the dancer stops it's prance,
And follows after, with quick glancing feet;
The corner turned, Madge still is in advance.
The ride, I hope, to both will pleasant be, And no mishaps befall them on the way;
But, as of course I shan't be there to see,
What happened next, I'll leave for Madge to say.
MR. HAW, MUCH RESPECTED SIR :- We, the members of the N. S. S., suppose it is to you we are indebted for the delicate attention shown us, by the presentation of a copy of your charming paper, the GRAY JACKET.
We beg you will accept (if deemed worthy) the following contributions to the columns of your next number.
Respectfully, N. S. S. P.
Some bards have sung the glories of the chase,
Others again more quiet pleasures chant,
But mine the task, to tell of a mule race,
By maiden ridden, with a 'Squire gallant.
Some months ago our quiet little town
Had greeted a horse-tamer, mighty in his art,
Who, in consideration of two dollars down,
The wished for power to any would impart.
Many there were who to him gladly went,
Seeking for knowledge, (though they were no fools.)
Some, solely on the secret were intent,
While others much desired to ride the "spotted mules."
At length our Rarey, having booked much cash,
Took his departure, seeking new fields for gain;
But one keen student, bent upon a dash,
Secures the mules, so with him they remain.
And now the mules upon our quiet streets
Are often seen, bestrode by some "gray jacket;"
And ne'er was seen of mulemanship such feats;
And never heard, I warrant, such a racket.
But not to every student in the school
Was this much longed for privilege accorded—
The few alone, could ride a painted mule,
And thus were friendly acts sometimes rewarded.
A merry maid, with spirits young and high,
Hearing her friends their pleasant rides recount,
Thought she would like a mule-back ride to try,
So "Lize" promised she should have a mount.
Faithful in that, as in most things he tries,
He leaves no stone unturned to gain his end;
Backwards and forth he trots—(prove patient "Lize")-
Success at last his efforts cloth attend.
The mules are promised—time set for the ride.
A minor trouble now is brought to view;
The mule Eliza rides will not whate'er betide,
Consent to take the lead. Whatever shall we do.
Madge laughing, cries, "I'm sure it was decreed
That woman should be followed, so I'll go in front.
If danger dire, our pathway should impede,
I'll step aside, leave you to bear the brunt."
The Mater, busied with some household matter,
Sits quietly, with thoughts on work intent;
Sudden—she hears a most unwonted clatter,
And quickly goes, well knowing what it meant.
The hall door gained, what is it that she sees?
A merry imp is dancing in "Liza's" eyes.
But who is that half hidden by the trees?
'Tis "Bob," I do believe, in woman's guise.
Now Madge appears, swift running down the stairs.
"Help me to mount! Will some one fetch a stool;
"Tis true, I say, I am not putting on airs,
I can't jump on, though 'tis a little mule."
Now she is on—dress, stirrup, all is right;
Eliza, too, has mounted with a bound;
What ails his mule, has it gone crazy quite?
It's really waltzing—whirling, round and round.
Madge cuts her mule, it starts up the street.
It's comrade gone, the dancer stops it's prance,
And follows after, with quick glancing feet;
The corner turned, Madge still is in advance.
The ride, I hope, to both will pleasant be, And no mishaps befall them on the way;
But, as of course I shan't be there to see,
What happened next, I'll leave for Madge to say.