LIFE SKETCH. 37 



me, as I was in the habit of doing, was merely an act 

 of curiosity on the part of the animal. I often had 

 mules brought to me, but I always declined handling 

 them, requesting the owners to keep them for the 

 mule-man that was to come after me. By request I 

 made a stop of five days at Charleston, much to the 

 benefit of my pocket-book. 



Through the influence and assistance of Mr. Jones 

 and Dr. Swift, at Atlanta, Ga., I succeeded in form- 

 ing a class of citizens at five dollars each, which paid 

 me for staying at the Markham House three weeks. 

 Mr. Jones was the largest mule dealer in this part of 

 the country, and I can never forget his kindness and 

 that of Dr. Swift. Scores of vicious horses were im- 

 proved and cured, and my reputation as a horse edu- 

 cator established in that part of the county for all 

 time. At Macon, Ga., I fell in with the most reckless 

 driver I ever rode witli, and when I learned that he 

 was an undertaker I thought I could comprehend his 

 motive. I gave him to understand that in my opinion 

 he came nearer to my standard of what a proper driver 

 should be than any I had met with since leaving 

 Kentucky. At Savannah I found business in my line 

 good, and a stable owned by a namesake of mine. At 

 Jacksonville, Florida, my next stopping place, study- 

 ing the alligator was the principal part of my busi- 

 ness. Though to me a very interesting subject, I found 

 no money in it; yet I think, in the rainy, muddy season, 

 I can make better time on the road with an alligator 

 team, properly educated, than with horses, — with one 

 great advantage, and that is in regard to feeding them, 

 for once a month is as often as they are willing to 

 open their mouths, even for a "bit." 



At Augusta, Georgia, I was well patronized in the 

 sale of my books. Until 1884 my exhibitions were 



