The sun., 1894-09-10
The Mules Right. on the Towpath.

The Mules Rights on the Towpath.
| The steam-towed canal boats which we
see In fleets on the Hudson River, lack on
that highway one OF their most character
istic features. The patient mules that have
moved these heavy laden barges from the
great lakes almost TO tidewater are hidden
| from view deep down in the hold. A
| glimpse Of the broad sweep of the Hudson
| and the swelling Highlands might relieve
the monotony Of their existence, but such
diversion Is not for them. Cabined,
cribbed, confined" they are kept In obscu-
rity and uselessness until returned to the
canal, when, with their most intimate com
panion, the towpath driver, they resume
their narrow and weary way back to the
starting point.
One cheering interval, recurring daily, Is
all that brightens the humble walk In life
Of the canal mule. Only half the way along
the canal is each individual an active factor
in the work Of moving produce. The rest
Of the time he Is a passenger on the great
highway, regaled by box Of oats and a
bundle Of hay while being waited toward
the furthest port at the rate of two miles an
hour; for the cargo must keep moving
night and day, aud we are never oppressed
with the details OF shocking collisions on
the Erie Canal, because strong rejecting
lamps at the bows illumine the towpath and
the waterway ahead on the darkest night.
The very animated performance which in
variably occurs when the canal mule is about
to resume his career on the towpath should
not be attributed to excess of animal spirits.
He is suddenly seen bounding into the open
air from the recesses that have hidden him.
He comes from the depths as though shot
from a catapult, and the momentum threat
ems to carry him overheard. A glimpse OF
his surroundings explains his unwonted
animation. His cabin is in the depths OF
the hold, and the only exit is by means Of
plank, precipitously tilted, and bearing
cleats to give the animal foothold The
mule has to show the agility OF a mountain
goat to get up at all Any mule can pull on
tOwline, but IL must require the education
OF circus horse to teach him how to get up
stairs on q canal boat.
We deprecate the practice, too common
among the drivers, of accelerating their own
transfer from the towpath to supper and |
rest by seiSing upon the tail of one of their |
humble servitors and thus being hauled on |
board ship. The practice shows unbounded |
confidence in the mule, and has been justi-
fed on the plea that it is really helpful to
steer him in this manner up the narrow
gangplank. We think, however, that this
proceeding savors Of laziness, and 1t is not
respectful to tho mule, which, having rem
dered a public service by towing freight, is
entitled to draw the line at towpath boys
Reform Is needed in this particular.
In the line Of his duty the canal mule
must needs DO slow, for he hauls over hun
dred tons Of freight. With so heavy re-
sponsibility all the while tugging at his
collar, 1t Is not strange that he is OF sober
aspect. lie does not even nibble at the way
side grass and willows, and, while he Is on
duty, we know OF only one thing that will
kindle the soul within him and tempt him
10 jump into the canal. He has seen hum
dreds Of bicycles, but he does not understand,
and cannot endure them.
Be il known that the towpath Is public
highway used both by wagons and wheel
men. The latter are often compelled, by the
agitation Of the approaching team, 20 switch
off into the grass and dismount, and while
The canal boy is strengthening out his m mules
and restoring their legs to the right side of
.he traces, he consigns the whole race of
wheelmen TO perdition and expresses q de-
lire to tar and feather the lawmakers Of the
Empire State for permitting the internal
machines on the towpath.
We ethink that his patience is often unduly
ried and that he has real grievance,
hOugh his objurgations and expletiyes can
iot meet with approval II it is a question
II turning the mules or the bicycles of the
owpath, we shall vote in favor of retaining
he mules.