The ringmaster held up his hand for silence.

"Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce to you, January.
As January is the first month of the year, so is this January
first in the donkey world. You will observe how docile and kind
he appears. Yet, ladies and gentlemen, the management of this
show will give a hundred dollars to any person who can stick
on his back for a full minute--only sixty seconds, ladies
and gentlemen. Do you know of any easier or faster way to
make money? Six thousand dollars an hour if you stay that long.
Who will be the first to earn the money?"

It was the first time the announcement had been made from
the ring. Mr. Sparling had given his consent, even though
he had not seen the act. He had, however, observed Teddy
engaged in a tussle with the beast that afternoon, and could
readily understand that what Teddy told him about January's
contrariness was not overdrawn.

A colored man came down from the audience, and, throwing off his
coat, announced his intention of riding the mule.

January appeared to have no objection, permitting the colored
man to get on his back without offering the least opposition.
To Teddy, who stood in front of the animal, grinning, there was
a glint in the eye of the mule that spelled trouble for the
colored man.

Suddenly January reared, then as quickly tipped the other way