The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1896-10-16
4 CUNNING MULE
II Hid on Steamer Day, When Work
Was Increased,

Was Increased.
The LATEST mule IL all California Is
the one OH the Fsrallone Islands that
belongs tc the lighthouse keepers. He
is the successor of the late lamented
Jersey" and is known to his owners
as 'tPatsey." In many ways he Is n
smart mule, but he devotes most Of his
talents to devising means to avoid the
little work that is 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 at once given full liberty. He
roamed over the island at will, and as
no work was required of him he was
the happiest mule in the stall.
But day came when Patsey was not
happy. 1t was after he had been on the
island three months, and the Madrona
came back on her quarterly visit. He
then found out what he was there for.
AS soon as the supplies were landed
on the wharf Patsey had to haul them
to the lighthouse. And, o, what hard
work he found it, after his three
months vacation. Every pound was
a ton, and his unwillingness made it
about three. He has never forgotten
that day.
The next time the Madrona came
back Patsey was ready. The first visit
of the steamer made such an impress
sion on him that he even recognized the
whistle as 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 was
the next day before he was unwillingly
at work.
The next time the steamer came the
keepers were ready for Patsey's trick.
AS soon as he heard the whistle shiver
passed over him, and he started for
one of the highest hills on the island,
never stopping until he had reached the
top, all the time giving utterance to
means of anguish. To climb to the
summit was an awful task, and Patsey
was wet with perspira ton when he got
there. OF course, he was soon cap
tured and brought back, and no doubt
he found his work much harder for his
unnecessary exercise. But it failed to
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 the whistle. Patsey
was not expecting anything of the kind,
and at once became filed with fear
There was no time to climb the peak,
so he few over the rocks to cave. The
entrance was a rugged one, but Patsey
managed to get In and, as he thought,
was out Of danger for work.
1t was two days before Patsey was
missed, and long search was neces-
sary to find him. And then the fun
commenced. 1t was easy enough to get
In, but getting out was another matter.
In fact, Patsey could not do it unaided,
which was the reason he stayed there
so long.
Blocks and tackle and several hours
hard work were necessary to get the
IIlSulcucu Mule Out, anu Wu6u Ut last
he mustered courage to look at the
wharf and saw no boxes there he was
a foolish-looking mule.
Patsey has got so that he knows when
the steamer is coming without hearing
the whistle. He knows when it is due
to day. Two or three days before the
time he will make himself scarce On
one occasion the vessel was several
days in making a landing, and poor
Patsey was nearly starved, but he
never got hungry enough to overcome
his aversion to work. The keepers get
considerable amusement out of Pat
sey's unwillingness to work. They
don't mind it particularly, as they
know where to find him now. The gen.
eral verdict of all visitors to the island
Is that Patsey should have been
tramp.-San Francisco Call.