Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1885-1890, 1886-10-23
A DRAMATIC FABLE.
Dramatis Persona-A Railroad Con
tractor, A Mule, Another Mule,
a Bear

Written for the Tribune:
Seated in the doorway of a large barn
lost in contemplation Of adentist's business
card upon which was depicted the doletul
countenance of bear nursing his jolwl In
his paw, became suddenly aware OF the
presence of some other being whose warm
breath came softly upon my cheek. Upon
looking up my eyes met those OF an ancient
plainly indicated that some secret sorrow
was gnawing at his heart strings or perhaps
some thoughtless error of youthful days
was now with retributiye pangs, causing
remorse and anguish to lacerate his soul.
His brownish coat showed many sign
of labor and abuse, while on his fore shoul-
der was plainly imprinted the talismanic
symbol "U. S."
"Weu, old mule" said, ''you have evi-
dently strayed from your post; Fort Shaw
/ suppose" With d weary shake OF his
head he answered: NO, sir; | once was
an off wheeler in Uncle Sans service but
d arascally quartermaster had me condemn
and sold" Upon further inspection Of his
hircute exterior | discovered that among
other distinguished marks he was branded
81. c." The mule continued with heavy
sigh. "My cup of misey Is now full to
oyert1owing, alas! my present owner is a
railroad contractor, and my life has at last
become burden to me; but my dear sir
let me not weary you with the story OF my
sorrows. Let us change the subject"
| was forced to admit that here | had
met no ordinary mule and it was also quite
evident that he had not always been rail
roader, His graceful language and thought
full consideration for my feelings compell-
ed my respect and attention as he proceed
ed to remark:
81 perceive sir you have one of Doctor
Den's illustrated cards, thereby hangs a
tale and if you would but bear with me
kindly for while [ will relate you the
story" He waited until having received
my assent and then continued.
"When the capitalists Of Helena and
other men of money had decided on build
ing the Montana Central, my present own
er who had then just purchased me rode
me out one morning into the mountains of
the neighborhood and dismounting casting
my brldle on the ground commenced dill
gent search for the stakes which the engi-
neer corps had lately placed. While 50
occupied we both became aware Of the
presence of third party, who proved to
be none other than Mr.. Bruin, one of the
most powerful of the chiefs of the Grizzly
tribe who, Immediately, as had been his
life long custom commanded US to depart
To this my owner replied"
''Hold on Mr.. Bear, let's talk this matter
oyer.''
"Who are you and from whence come
you? If farmer, l will abide your pres
ence; if stock raiser, [ welcome you: but
if YOU are one of those thrice accursed rail
readers, avaunt!'
"His tragic tones and royal attitude i'm
pressed me with his kingiy character and
my trembling knees smote together in alb
ject acknowledgements Of the terror he in
spired. Not so with the railroad contractor,
with an affrontery that was as bold as it
was foolhardy he replied
"Now, say, | guess we can come to an
am devlish sight better
man than you take me for and if my
scheme works you shan't lose anything on
the trade. | am railroad contractor, been
on the Northern Pacific, on the Yellow
stone, been all over the country, got forty
eight head o'mules, wagons, carts scrapers
ind a full outfit, don't owe man a dollar:
I'm down on high toned thieves and always
stand in with the engineer corps when they
let me-
whats your name?" Numbered the
bear.
'NeH | may call myself Summers"
answered he of the mules, scrap
RS etc, but | spring from the winters and
lave known somewhat of falls. Stations
I419 to 1643," he murmered under his
breath. The words of his soliloquy not be-
ng understood by his majesty, the bear, he |
srowlingly demanded what had been his |
asst remark. The man of the four seasons
eplied:
Its the best piece of work on the whole
DAD; 1910 to 1913; loose rock at 40 cents,
old rock at S1.25, one through cut, big
ide cut and good scraper work ought to
ring me forty-tive hundred clear. tell