The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-08-24
FUN OF THE FARMERS.
Homely Illustrations Employed to
Set Forth Political Maxims
and Doctrines.
The Story of the Kansas Mule
That Would Set for
Suckers.
Passing of the First Load of Hell-Ingalls
Constituted the Cargo-He
was Sr. Lease.

Any great movement which ag;tates mil
lions of people is sure to throw off at white
heat sparkling scintillations which are the
capitalization not only Of the wit and
humor but of the homely wisdom of the
masses. The alliance movement is singu-
larry rich in these campaign stories which
form SO important a phase Of American wit
and humor. There is no telling how many
votes are made by these stories, says the ST.
Louis Republic, 1t often happens that a
happy epigram will be irresistible upon
people whose views would not be changed
in a days argument, as in the case of that
witty preacher who killed a proposition for
the removal of an exposed church-bell to a
temporary place of safety by putting the
motion to thu congregation in this way: SIT
is moved and seconded to take the bell down
from the steeple and hang it on a gallows."
There are many happy hits in the rough
and-ready speeches of the alliance agita-
tors. and a collection of them would form
an important contribution to the story of
the times, for it would show the movement
up in the same way that the verses of the
corn law rhymer showed the popular feel
ing IN the great free trade agitation in En-
gland fifty years ago. No doubt the sto-
ries which have come out are but a fore
taste of those that will be heard on the
stump before the campaign of next year is
ended. A few of them will be enjoyed,
Jerry Simpson, popularity known as the
"Sockless Socrates of Medicine Lodge"
had been talking about the attempt of the
old parties to capture the alliance vote,
when he compared the astute politician to
the Kansas mule.
"Out in Kansas" said he. 'there was q
boy who had taught his mule to squat when
he touched him on the flank with his heels,
and one day when he was riding beside an
Englishman the mule suddenly sat down
on its launches. What's the matter with
your mule?' said the Englishman. Why,
said the boy, he's q setter; don't you see
that rabbit out there?' The Englishman
was much aatonished. They rode on awhile,
and the mule squatted again. What's he
doing now" spid the Engllshmsn. He's
setting again. said the boy. Don't you
see that flock of quail?' By this time the
Englishman was dying to own the mule.
An animal he could ride. that was also @
setter. would be priceless to such a MIN
rod as he. He offered to buy the mule,
but the boy did not want to sell
him. Finally he consented tc
swap the mule for the Englishman's
fine bay horse and 300 to boot. The Eng.
hshman mounted the mule, the boy mount
ed the horse and they rode off together, AZ
ter a while they came to a creek and the
Englishman drew up his feet to keer
them from getting Wet. About half way
through the water cot so deep that he haG
to draw his feet under the mules flank, Al
soon as the boot heels touched the mule
flank he squatted right in the middle of tn,
creek. WHATS the matter with YOU,
blarsted mule now!' said the English
man. i told you he was d setter, and he'