The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-07-08
MANAGEMENT OF THE MULE.
THE BLACK MAN Is THE ONE MOST
SUCCESSFUL AT 1T.
That II the Reason the British Tnit-
ed mt the Task in south Africa
How southern Coiored Man SCOT
Acuuainted with Them Mehels."

When the British government put lot
OF American mules in service with its
South African army it found that mule
insists upon having for n driver a man
who is acquainted with him and his ways
tastes and habits. The demand OF the
mule being ignored by the British gener-
ais he went off in a drove to see If the
Beers would give him his rights, mule
will pull himself 10 death If negro tens
him to- but II the request comes from
white man the chances are that the mule
will respond with both hind feet. The
mule may be stupid and stubborn ami
NAL, but he Is particular about his human
associations. and is always ready TO show
his preference by refusing to move or by
quick action of his feet.
During the civil war a negro who was
loyal to his master and the South was
captured by the federals At his own re-
quest he was given a job 10 tend mules
in lot half mile away. the lot being
under the supervision of a white man.
About ten days later the outposts OF tho
confederate forces heard the rapid al
vance OF the federal cavalry. as they sup
posed. and the alarm was given and passed
back to the main camp. A few minutes
later negro astrde a large mule, with
thirty-seven mules following, went DASH
ing by and never halted until the caravan
reached the command of the negro's mas
ter. Then explanations followed The
captured negro said he went 10 the mule
lot at his own request intending to make
de 'quaintance of dem meueis and fetch
'em home" He made their acquaintance
and, watching his opportunity, mounted
the mule he had selected for himself TO
ride, took turn around the lot as fast
as ever his mule could carry him. the other
mules falling in behind him Then he
took straight line for the gate. yelling
Come on hyar. you fool meuels." 1t was
ride of fifteen miles to the confederate
camp and he made the run without losing
mule. The secret Of his success was he
got acquainted" with the mules and they
were willing TO do his bidding little feat
that no white man could have done
The reason why mules are not used in
northern cities for heavy hauling and are
used FOR that purpose in southern cities is
because the drivers down there know how
to get acquainted" with mules A me-
gro is the only human being that mule
VIII recognize as his superior and win not
KICK. Why this Is so no one has ever
been able to find out No doubt the mule
knows but he will not tell. II may be in
part, at least, because a negro rarely
ever strikes "A mule He talks to him as
II ne were a companion and sees TO II
that he gets the best possible attention
Then, a negro takes a quality and q,,nn-
tity of pride In = team of mules that no
white mar could or would try to take in
draught horses, and his mules seem to
take pride In drawing immense loads be-
cause he likes to show off that way
Perhaps experts in psychic or occult
forces could explain what kind OF a cord
1t Is that binds the mind of a mule to the
mind OF negro In abject obedience, but
no layman would undertake the job.
There is still another reason why mules
are not used in Chicago and other North
ern cities. The climate Is against IT. The
mule wants to live outdoors all the year.
and In cold weather and In snowstorms
ne wants no better housing than n shed
with straw bank on the windward side
Horses often nre overcome by heat but
mules rarely ever. mule would die OF
broken heart II he had no home other
than close stable. The comparative
prices of mules and horses show that
horses have the greater market value.
but large mules sell for more for draught
purposes than horses because they can
draw equally as large II not larger bur-
dens. are longer lived are not as promo
TO disease and do not require as much at
tention as horses. The word mule liter
ally means bashful. simple animal. but
that does not describe the American vari-
ETY.. AS is generally known. all American
mules have horse blood In their veins.
Chicago Chronicle.