It didn't strike me as much of a joke to pay a hundred and seventy-five dollars in gold fare, and then be horse-whipped by stage-drivers, for declining to chase mules.  But people's ideas of humor differ in regard to shrewdness which "reminds me of a little story." Sitting in a New England country store one day I overheard the following dialogue between two brothers: "Say, Bill, wot you done with that air sorrel mare of yourn?" "Sold her," said William, with a smile of satisfaction. "Wot'd you git?" "Hund'd an' fifty dollars, cash deown!" "Show!  Hund'd an' fifty for that kickin' spavin'd critter!  Who'd you sell her to?" "Sold her to mother!" "Wot!" exclaimed brother No. 1, "did you railly sell that kickin' spavin'd critter to mother?  Wall, you air a shrewd one!" _______________ XII. BRIGHAM YOUNG. Brigham Young sends word I may see him tomorrow.  So I go to bed singing the popular Mormon hymn: At two o'clock the next afternoon Mr. Hiram B. Clawson, Brigham Young's son-in-law and chief business manager, calls for me with the Prophet's private sleigh, and we start for that distinguished person's block. I am shown into the Prophet's chief office.  He comes forward, greets me cordially, and introduces me to several influential Mormons who are present. Brigham Young is 62 years old, of medium height, and with sandy hair and whiskers.  An active, iron man, with a clear sharp eye.  A man of consummate shrewdness--of great executive ability.  He was born in the State of Vermont, and so by the way was Heber C. Kimball, who will wear the Mormon Belt when Brigham leaves the ring. Brigham Young is a man of great natural ability.  If you ask me, How pious is he? I treat it as a conundrum, and give it up.  Personally he treated me with marked kindness throughout my sojourn in Utah. His power in Utah is quite as absolute as that of any living sovereign, yet he uses it with such consummate shrewdness that his people are passionately devoted to him. He was an Elder at the first formal Mormon "stake" in this country, at Kirtland, Ohio, and went to Nauvoo with Joseph Smith.  That distinguished Mormon handed his mantle and the Prophet business over to Brigham when he died at Nauvoo. Smith did a more flourishing business in the Prophet line than B.Y. does.  Smith used to have his little Revelation almost every day--sometimes two before dinner.  B.Y. only takes one once in a while.