The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-05-29
ELI PERKINS WISE MULE.
A sermon 10 Indiana Farmers.

''That mule kicked sense into me onct, Z"
said Uncle William Banks, as he pulled the
mules long ears from under the halter.
THAT mule, say" he continued, raising
his voice-"that mule has got more sense
into him-knows more about political econ
omy, and understands the law of demand
and supply better than any congressman
who ever sat"
"Whatl mule understand political econ
omy. Mr. Banks?" interrupted.
''Yes, sir, that mule does! Why, was a
poor man onct, and that there mule made
me rich Lord bless We, Mr.. Perkins, he
kicked fortune right into my pocket"
''How was il Mr.. Banks?' / asked. How
could mule kick sense and fortune into
an old farmer like your
We'll. SIR" commenced the rich old far
mer, II used TO own a farm near lie City,
Pennsylvania had the only meader land
came to lie City during the first year OF the
lie excitement Hay paid splendidly then
/ got twenty. FIVE and thirty-five dollars a
ton for il, but wouldn't have got oyer ten
dollars for it if il hadn't been for this here
mule"
''What did the mule do?" l asked. How
could mule raise the price OF hay?"
'Why he kicked sense into me, say, and
kicked up the price OF hay at the same kick.
You see used TO draw a load of hay into lie
City every day. The first loads sold quick
for $50. One day / thought I'd make money
faster so hired two more mules and drew
in two loads of bay. / sold one quick, but
the other stood around all day, and finally
sold it for SIG rather than draw it home.
The next day was on hand with two loads
again. Both loads stood around till noon.
when / sold the first for SIG and the other l
could not sell at all. The market was over
stocked So drew it around TO Deacon
Stones and pitched it off into his yard at
$12."
The next day." continued Mr. Banks, II
was on hand with my usual two loads OF hay.
They stood around till 3 o'clock without an
offer. Finally man came up and offered me
ten dollars for one load. Said he, Deacon
Stone bought hay for twelve dollars yester-
dav' Well, l took the ten dollars and
drew the second load into Deacon Stones
barn for eight dollars. The next day
drew in two loads more, but the news had
got all around that had sold hay to Deacon
Stone at eight dollars, and couldn't sell it
for a dollar more. Said every man talked
to, Hay is down, Mr.. Banks; the market is
glutted.' In fact, nobody wanted any hay
at all But / finally sold one load at seven
dollars, and drew the other back home.'
What then" 1 asked, where does the
mule come inr'
"Why, as was unhltching this here mule,
Mr.. Perkins, he kicked my left leg and
broke II short off | was carried into the
house and 1 thought l was a ruined man,
but tell you that mules kick made me a
rich man."
How" / asked "How did a mules
kick and broken leg make you rich?"
well, the next day we couldn't draw any
hay, and the next day after it was the same
thing. Finally week rolled round and no
hay went to town, when up drove Deacon
Stone With span of mules from lie City"
81 KUN up" sez the deacon, ito get some
more of that hay of yourn. Squire, I'm all
out"
Deacon" said /, thinking he wanted me
to draw it, you can't have any more hay
now. 1t will be three weeks before you get
any more hay from me-"
Three weeks." said the deacon, raising
his hands in astonishment. why, my
horses will starye. | must have hay. I'll
take two tons at fifteen dollars ton and
draw it myself
'All right" said l. pitch it on"
The next day up came another villager.
He said he must have hay too; that there
wasn't spear to be had in the city.
III give you $50 for ton" he said.
"And draw 1t yourselfY'' / asked.
"Yes; draw il myself"
And away he went with ton of hay at
$40.
Two days after" continued farmer Banks.
three villagers came up and offered me S25
per ton for all the hay had. The sense the
mule had kicked into me began to show
itself, and l told them / guessed hadn't any
more hay to spare"
But, hang it, Mr.. Banks, we must have
hay" they said
But hay is hay, gentlemen" said I. 'In
fact, gentlemen" l said, 1--WE been lookln'
over this hay matter, and l find the hay
market is firm with an upward tendency.
In fact, find the demand j. greater than
the supply, The home consumption OF
hay"
But dang il, Banks, we Aust have hay.
You don't want ali the horses in the city 10
starye, do your" they interrupted.
"No, don't want your horses to starve
but tell you havn't got any hay to sell
However, if il will accommodate YOU and
keep your horses from starving, can spare
you few tons at thirty dollars. Bot mind,
You mast draw IL yourself"
Agreed" they said, winkin' at each
other, and well take all you have at that
price"
And they took It?'' / asked
Yes sir, they took il, drew il to the CITY
and sold il at S40-and i sold every spear of
hay | had at that price. And for three
years, :" continued farmer Banks, II supplied
the city with hay at $50 ton, when II that
there mule hadn't kicked the law of
demand and supply into me-hadn't a
kicked financial economy into my thick
skull. why I'd been sellin' hay at five
dollars ton. An that's why / love this
here mule"