St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1888-05-12
POOR JOE!
The Pathetic Story Of Little Black
Mule.

00uk0s
jos was . little black mule, and his
home was in Chattanooga, Tenn. Fol
him lifc meant hard work and plenty
OF It. many blows and scanty food
Tor his master. Jack Rcefe. was 3
rough. coarse man. who drank q grca,
deal Of bad whisky. and was scarcely
responsible sometimes for. what he
did He earned . living by hauling
wood. c c'al, stone. bricks and sand.
and as he was pail by the loal. i,
was to his interest to have rs many
loads in day as he could So ho had
no mercy on poor Joe.
The little mule was very strong
when Jack Reefe bought him, bui
hauling heavy loads up the steep
streets Of Chattanooga from five
O'Clock in the morning until six at
night soon told on his strength and
elasticity. And il he paused mo-
mcnt Tor breath or to rest his weary
limbs. down came Jacks heavy whip
on his back. and loudly was he shouted
ut to Go on!' Get up thcrcr'
Joe had a friend. however. in little
B.nnN Jack Reefc's nephew; but
Benny was 4 cripple. and went round
on a crutch. and rs hc was rs much
afraid Of Jack R,cfc as jos was he
seldom dared interfere in tho poor
little mules behalf no matter how
strongly inclined to do so.
Bcnny kept house for his uncle;
coskcd tho bacon. made corn bread
: and boiled tho potatoes and hominy.
There was no variation to the hum bic
fare. and Benny had never tasted .
piece Of white bread a. his life. aud
seldom saw fresh meat except in the
butcher shops. He had to manage
very carefully in order to make the
money his uncle gave him for house,
keeping purposes last from ono Saiur-
day night 10 the next; but there was
ono thing he always contrivc,l 10 do.
and that was to save = potato for Joe.
That potato must be saved. even If
Benny had mono himself and that was
the reason that at meal times Benny
never helped himself to potatoes until
his uncle was through eating. Four
poi atocs were always boiled for sup
per. and it depended on Jacks appe-
titc whether there was more than one
left.
J.,e was put every night into rough
shed in the yard back Of Jacks cabin.
tho door of which was made Of two
pieces Of boarl. nailed SO far apart
that Joe could put his head between
them; and Benny never went out with
the potato that he did not finI Joe
watching for him at this space.
..Pscr joel" Benny would say. strok-
Ing tho long carA Il wish I had
holc basket of potatoes for you.
Joc."
And Joe would rub his head on
Dcnny's shoulder. and appear very
sppreciative Of tho lovs bestowed on
him.
Bat Joc's happicst time was on Sum
day, when there was no hauling to do.
nnd he was allowed 10 roam al his
viii about tho small yard. and roll in
the dust as often as the fancy seized
him. Jack always slept all day Sum
day. waking up only to eat his dinner.
and he left the care Of Joe entirely 10
Benny. And the little cripple would
sit in the doorway Of the small kitchen.
and watch Joe's antics with the keen
est delight. and would laugh heartily
whenever Joe kicked up his heels and
vranced around.
Il. does me lots of good 10 SEQ you
enjoy yourself joe" he would say;
and he used 10 think the little mule
understood every word.
Late in the fall Of 1887 Jack engaged
10 haul sand for row Of brick houses
IN process of construction. and as
there had been great deal of rain
the streets were muddy, and the haul
ing was harder than ever for poor lit
lie Joe
Benny. hobbling up Eighth street
late one Saturday afternoon, heard
familiar voice shouting: Get up
thcre!' and saw his uncle raining
blows on poor Joe. who was straining
every sinew 10 pull the heavy wagon
out Of the ru' in which it was stalled.
Uncle! Unc,e Jackv cried Benny,
arpcalinsly. hobbling into the street.
.Joc can't pull that Don't you sceP
He can't pull it."
:.Hc kin pull it il he's min ter"
said Jack. roughly. ':FH teach him
70 baik." and down cam. the heavy
whip again
Oacc more poor Joe struggled and
strainel Mt the heavy load. slipped,
(sll aud got upon bis feet again, while