New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-06
RICARDO'S Blue MULE.

When Ricardo bought the mule Of the stranger
who passed on there was nothing to distinguish
him from the innumerable mules Of oblivion eX-
cept streak of thin blue hair forming a tropi-
cal zone around his body just behind his shout
ders. Whether this Natures frolic or tn"
freak of some former owners humor. Ricardo
did not inquire. That was immateral, inasmuch
as the mule had four legs free from eccentrci-
ties and. as the prudent Ricardo had taken
pains to demonstrate, could pull well at the ar
rastrar pole
Ricardo was delighted with his acquisition
He could see in it the dawn Of new prosperity.
a rainbow Of delightful promise. Mi favorto.'
he exclaimed, patting the beast fondy as he
te:hercd and fed him on that first night Of his
proud proprietorship; "ah mi favorto. The
mule placdy chewed the straw which Ricardo
offered but did not respond to his endearment
with so much as a wink.
II was a brilliant moonlit night. fitting time
and occasion for an exchange Of sentiment, but
there was "A blank expression on the mules face
that disturbed The unreasonable Ricardo. He
disappeared returned with tallow candle and
held it before his companions eyes as if more
intently to study his physiognomy. Not a
shadow If change passed over the beasts coun-
tenance. not blink nor a sign Of curiosity was
aroused by the suffering dip. When his new
and admiring owner lifted his head. the blue
mule gazed calmly into the armament as though
the candle were part Of it, and then plunged
his nose again into the straw brought from the
Valley of Sonoyta, fifty miles away. where
things grow.
"Ay. el estrangero"' said Ricardo. rehectivcly,
"swindler" Ricardo could express his thoughts
In two languages. but that all he said. It
was evident that his mind had reverted un-
pleasantly to him who had passed on.
Next morning Ricardo tied the mule to the
arrastrar- pole fastened the badge over his eyes.
and set him at work though nothing had
happened. He spoke geuially 10 his beast. hit
him inoGcnsvcly with the raWhdc as "a mere
matter Of form and the blue mule plodded
chcerily upon his endless journey Imagine a
circular pavement Of large Hat stones. with a
double rim made of two rows of smaller stones
SCI on edge; in the ccntrc an upright revolving
shaft from which a pole radates horizontally to
the outside Of the circle: bound to The ,ole mid
way a heavy block Of granite and hitched to the
poles outer end the blue mule y burro comes
down from the mountains with two hundred and
fifty pounds Of ore on his heroic little back. and
gets his first drink of water for three days.
Rcatdp dumps the ore into the puddle of water
and quicksilver in the arrastrar. and it is
ground into a paste as the mule drags that
heavy block Of granite over it in the little circle.
Walking around and around, the beast would
become dizzy werc he not blindfoldod-one read
H. sees that and congra'ulates the hoodwinked
mules ON the happy and honorable way in which
They have been befoolcd into thinking they are
getting ahead.
\ sWarthy. corpulent man With straight black
hair and a feeble fuZZ of beard, contrasting hu-
morously with his great bulk. passed 10y a.
granted at Ricardo. The mule-driycr sautcd
fravcy. lie saw nothing incougruous in the
alcaldc's beard. nor could be- regard with aught
but seriousness the great man of the town and
district. sole representative Of law and authority
owner of the mills and virtual proprietor OF the
town and it's inhabitants. Woe be To the pcon
who should incur the ill-Will Of the alcade or
OF the alcaldes hairless dog trOttng 10y his side,
Another traveller came down the sandy path.
Although Ricardo had been attending faithfully
to his work a thrill had come to his conscious
ness at the moment she came through the open
ing that never opened or shut, the one door OF
the acaldes house. He looked up as If gra-
cious cloud had passed before the sun IA that
coudless. ptiless sky: saw the girl. and smiled.