Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1896-10-17
A CUNNING MULE.
It Hid on Steamer Day, when wori
waO Increased.

It Hid on Steamer Day, when work
was Increased.
The latest mule In all California 10
the one on the Farallone Islands that
belongs to the lighthouse keepers. He
is the successor Of the late lamented
Jersey" and Is known to his owners
as "Patsey." In many ways he is a
smart mule, but he devotes most Of his
talents to devising means to avoid the
little work that Ii required Of him. The
strange thing about his plan Is that he
goes to more work to avoid work than
1t would take him to do 1t.
Patsey has been on the island for
about three years. and from the start
seemed pleased with his home. He was
brought out on the steamer Madrona,
and Mt once given full liberty. He
roamed over the island ut will, and 40
no work was required Of him he was
the happiest mule In the stall.
But day came when Patsey was not
happy. It was after he had been on the
island three months, and the Madrona
came back on her quarterly visit. He
then found OCT what he was there for.
AZ soon AZ the supplies were landed
on the wharf Patsey had to haul them
to the lighthouse. And. o, what hard
work he found II, after his three
months vacation. Every pound was
a ton, and his unwillingness made II
about three. lie has never forgotten
that day.
The next time the Madrona came
back Patsey was ready. The first visit
Of the steamer made such an impres.
sion on him that he even recognized the
whistle NJ the sound came over the
water through a thick bank Of fog.
When the supplies were on the landing
Patsey was nowhere to be found.
Search for him as they would, It waa
the next day before he was unwllllngly
Mt work.
The next time the steamer came the
keepers were ready for Patsey's trick,
As soon as he heard the whistle shivel
passed over him. and he started fol
one Of the highest hills on the island
never stopping until he had reached the
top, all the time giving utterance "a
means Of anguish. To climb to the
summit was an awful task, and Pqtsey
was wet with perspiration when he got
there. OF course, he was soon cap
tured and brought back, and no doubt
/ he found his work much harder for bid
unnecessary exercise. But II failed q
cure him, and every steamer day the
same performance has to be gone
through with.
On one occasion the Madrona hap
pened to be In the vicinity. possibly
chasing an escaped whistling buoy, and
gave long blast Of tile whistle. Patsey
was not expecting anything Of the kind
and at once became filled with fear.
There was ho time to climb the peak
40 he few over the rocks to cave. Th(
entrance was a rugged one, but Patsey
managed to get In and. rs lie thought
/ was out Of danger for work.
II was two days before Patsey wal
missed. and long search was neccs
sary to find him. And then the fur
commenced. 1t was easy enough to &c,
IN, but getting out was another matter
In fact, Patsey could not do It unalded
which was the reason he stayed ther,
% long.
Blocks and tackle and several hours
hard work were necessary to get tn,
frightened mule out, and when ut las
he mustered courage to look Mt tn,
wharf and saw no boxes there he wal
q foolish.looking mule.
Patscy has got 80 that he knows whei
the steamer is coming without hearing
the whistle. He knows when It 10 du'
to day. Two or three days before tn
time he will make himself scarce. o.
one occasion the vessel was scvera
days In making q landing. and poo
Patsey was nearly starved, but b
never got hungry enough to ovcrcom
his aversion to work. The keepers &c
considerable amusement out Of Pa,
scy's unwllllngness to work. The
don't mind It particularly. a. the
know where to fnd him now. The ger
Gral verdict Of all visitors to the islam
u that Patsey should have been
tramp.-San Francisco Call.