Miscellaneous

Bruce Herald, Volume VII, Issue 649, 13 November 1874, Page 3

Miscellaneous

French Politeness. — A citizen of France had unfortunately done something which necessitated his being hanged ; and as there was no professional executioner available for the occasion, the painful duty of carrying out tbe sentence devolved upon au amateur, who apologised for any possible short comings to the person principally concerned. " I hope you will pardon me," said he, "if I pub you to any unnecessary inconvenience; but the fact is, I have never hanged any one before." " Pray do not mention it," replied the other, with the greatest sangfroid ; " for that matter, I have never been banged before. We must each do our best."

The JYegro aud mule (ivritea a correspondent in Ciinton, Louisiana) are inseparable companions in the Southern cotton fields, and, like the Hiawathan, string and bow, useless each without the other. The lazy indifference and careless cruelty of the one, and the wonderful powers of endurance of severe labor, bad treatment, and neglect of ths other, complete the compatibility of the two races necessary for the production of four m'liiona of bales. A characteristic anecdote may be relished by those who have had experience of the two. Tbe spectator had taken refuge from the sau's perpendicular rays under the shade of a spreading beech, and lay recumbent, enjoying the fitful breeass and the sombre frothiness of fche country newspaper. Along the dusty road which passed by this retreat came jogging a Negro, mounted on a mule, both apparently fast asleep. As the somnolent pair approached the spot, some wicked sprite q£ the place gave the paper a flirt, which was no sooner seen and heard than the mule, as mules only know how, instantly " swapped ends," and, leaving tbe Negro sprawling in the dirt, took his departure under full sail. The half raising himself, and wiping the dust from eyes and mp.Vitb, watched the retreating mule i'otf some time in silence, but at length, unconscious of an auditor, gave expression to this philosophic soliloquy : " Dat*fe what makes me 'anise a mule."