The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1875-08-05
ABU HAMOOD'S MULE.

There was once certain kadi. named
Abu Hamood, who was inordinately fond
of mules. His stables were uproarons
| with them, aud yet not month passed
| but he added some new costly specimen
| to his stock. He used to visit them
| every day, fondle and rub them all
around, kiss their long silky ear, and
receive their bites and kicks like SO many
civilities and benedictions. In short,
this passion mastered him to such a de-
gree that he ultimately became a very
wicked kadi, and would stick at no
| false judgement or extortion to possess
himself of tempting piece of mule-hesh.
Accordingly, the spirit of evil laid a trap
for HIM and the kadi fell into it. And
| this was the manner of his fall
One day, as he walked in the streets
of Bagdad- looking right and left for
mules-he met Mughrebee of an ex-
ceedingly dark complexion. The Mugh-
rebee was leading the finest mule that
had ever been seen III the city ; 50 beau
tiful, in fact, that it was like the rising
sun for strength, and like the full moon
for elegance. Abu Hamood stopped in
front of the animal, utterly bewildered
by its extraordinary graces. In the
meantime, the man was walking the
mule up and down, before the gates of
the kadi's palace. At last Abu Hamood
spoke to him, and said, with trembling
voice:
so, Mughrebee, whose mule is that !"
SIT is my masters, % replied the other.
'He is Mughrebee like myself, but he is
prince, while am slave"
'.And where is thy master g" continu-
ed Abu Hamood.
'He has gone to the bazaars to buy
silks and jewels, and bade me walk the
mule before this palace until he return
ed"
so, Mughrebee!" said Abu Ham ood
''wilth thou not let me take hold
CT the bride of this mule, and en-
Joy the exquisite pleasure of leading him
a few PAGES And may God reward thee
for thy benignity ''
''Take it, o friendl" said the other !;
'.and 1 will even thank thee I will go
to the pastry -cooks's and return in q
| moment"
Abu Hamood took the bride, with a
/ trembling hand, and began to lead the
mule up and down, in such state of en-
chantment that an hour passed away as
if it had been minute. His servants
espied him, and rushed out to relieve
him of his strange occupation but he
drove them away, and would suffer no
one to touch the bride, besides
himself. AT last he began to won
der at the Mughrebee's prolonged alb
| sence, and looking anxiously up and
| down the street, hoping that he had lost
his way or broken his neck, so that he
might never return. In short no Mugh-
| rebee appeared and, after another hour
which, by reason of his anxiety, SEEM
ed to him like centrry-Abu Hamood
stealthily led the beautiful mule into
his own courtyard. There he gave it
to his chief servant, and told him to put
it into the best stall, and provide it
with bed of silk, instead of straw.
But the mule broke away from the ser
| want and followed the kadi into the
saloon, stepping as noisely as if his feet
ha1
when Abu Hamood seated himself on a
divan, the mule stood before him and
affectionately put his nose into his new
masters bosom and begun to eat some
raisins that were secreted there. The
kadi was astonished at the animals tame
ness and gentleness, and allowed him to
nibble at the raisins until he had raisins
enough. When he would eat no more,
the kadi said:
doubtless this poor mule is thirsty
go and bring him some water"
One of the servants brought a sheraby
or narrow-necked jar of water, and
tray into which it might be poured, and
then retired. The mule walked to the
door and closed it with one of his fore
feet, returned to the sheraby and with
sudden bound leaped into it and disap-
peared. Abu Hamood was struck so
perfectly aghast by this feat that he
could not even cry out, but stood there
with his mouth open and his eyes fixed
on the sheraby. Presently two long silky
ears rose through the narrow mouth of
the vessel and wagged themselves in a
malicious manner at the kadi, as much
as to say ''Here I am why don't you
catch me ?" The poor man screamed
with Joy and made sudden snatch at
the ears, which Guided his grasp and
disappeared in the sheraby. Whenever
he peered into the opening, there was
nothing to be seen but water but the
moment he rose and drew back, the long
silky ears stood out and wagged at him
| as before. And this continued until the
kadi was quite wild with excitement, the
ears dodging him every time, and he
using his utmost efforts to seize them
and so recover his mule. He made such
an uproar with his jumping and shouting
that the servants hurried to the
saloon, and were confounded to
find their master dancing and hallooing
insanely around sheraby of water.
s'Come and help me" cried the kadi.
''My mule has got into the sheraby.
I
| Help me get him out.