During the days when horses and mules were as indispensable in our area as automobiles and trucks are today, horse and mule traders were plentiful. Such traders and swappers in horse flesh were called "horse jockeys" by most people. Some of these "jockeys" had just about as much respect from the public as today's used car salesmen.

In most county seats certain streets were reserved for horse trading or swapping on county court days. People called such streets "jockey" streets. It is said that many an owner of a good plug mule or horse would go to Jockey Street seeking a better horse or mule, but returned home with only the bridle, meaning the bridle would have more value than the horse or mule he returned with. "Looks like you've come to the bridle!" was the favorite comment on the results of a man's swap on Jockey Street!

Also, the general public freely expressed opinions about where "horse jockeys" would spend all eternity. No one, it seemed, believed for one moment that a "horse jockey" would ever see the pearly gates, much less enter them.

There was one such horse and mule swapper that people called Jockey Jim. Jockey Jim, it seemed, had fleeced or skinned just about everybody in the county on a horse or mule trade. Everyone had a very strong opinion as to where he would spend his eternal future and didn't hesitate to express that opinion.

Then one day the Devil came after Jockey Jim. He, of course, was mildly surprised. Jim figured it would be quite a few more years before the old boy would pick him up. But he still didn't worry much. He had confidence in his ability to talk the Devil into not taking him. Had he not talked farmers into giving him the last penny they had for boot, between the almost dead mule he owned and the lively ones they owned? Some of those farmers were very hard-headed!

When the Devil said, "Let's go," to Jockey Jim, he immediately started an argument with the old cloven-hoofed, horny-headed boy. Jockey Jim told the Devil he must be senile in his old age by coming after him when he had many more years on earth to serve him.

"I am not senile," the Devil said. "So many people are exclaiming, 'Devil, take Jockey Jim,' I'm taking you before their demands drive me crazy!"

Jockey Jim argued that people say such things about everybody, not just him and that he shouldn't take what people say seriously.

The Devil then agreed to walk with Jockey Jim over the country. If anyone said such things about another person and meant it, he'd take that other person and leave him (Jockey Jim). Jockey Jim agreed.

Soon afterward the two passed a log cabin. A woman sat on the porch churning creamy milk for butter and buttermilk. Beside the woman on the porch, stretched out asleep, was a hog, which apparently shared the cabin with her.

As the Devil and Jockey Jim passed the cabin the Devil with the horns and cloven hoofs attracted the woman's attention. She got up and walked to the edge of the porch for a better view.

The hog then saw its chance. It got up, turned the churn over, and began to lap up the milk and cream. The angry woman grabbed the broom and attacked the hog, saying, "May the Devil take you!"

"There, release me and take the hog," Jockey Jim told the Devil.

"The woman didn't mean that, because she's going to be needing the hog for meat on the table," the Devil said and went on with Jockey Jim.

Then they came to a house where a woman raved at her growing boy. They heard her say, "I slave and clean up after you all day. From you, I get no help or appreciation. Let the Devil take you!"

"There," Jockey Jim said. "Take your boy and go on. I'm going back!"

"You're going with me!" the Devil said firmly. "No mother means it when she curses or threatens her son!" So the Devil took Jockey Jim to the place down below where he was going.