The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1912-11-28
PAGE TEN
S. o. Young in Houston Chronicle

1--WE minds of ordinary people
that there is an intimate con-
nection existing between negroes
and mules. Any ordinary cornfeld
negro knows more about mule in
a minute than white man can learn
in many years. The mules know this
and no doubt that fact explains why
the two get along SO we'll together
[ once knew a negro and mule
who had gotten along elegantly for
some years without more than tri-
vial fallings out. To the ordinary
observer the negro was CARELESS and
took liberties with that mule which
no one else would dare to do The
negro knew his game, however, and
while seemingly careless, he was al
ways looking out for the unexpected,
and the mule took care that he
should not be disappointed. One af-
ternOon, without the least warning,
the mule hauled off and kicked him
through the side of the stable. "You
see dat" said the negro. you
CANT trust no mule. He carry you
for twenty years jist to git chance
to break your neck"
He was not even angry with the
mule, who went on eating quietly,
as if he were TRYING to create the
impression that it was all a mistake
or that some other male n91 zone
the kickina
That a mule has a keen sense of
the humorous and enjoys joke of
his own creating | know positively
[ have seen one of them at it, Some
years ago there was a great big
ho4 Mi Il Ill
tOrmenting my grandfather. My
grandfather at that time was pay
master Of the Houston and Texas
Central road and came home regu-
larly every day at about / o'clock
for lunch. His Office was at the old
depot, over the bayou, and he came
across the Louisiana street bridge
down to Preston. One day the mule
happened to be on the sidewalk in
front of the gate and the old gen
tleman had great difficulty in max
ing him move. The mule enjoyed
the situation SO much that the next
day when he saw my grandfather
coming he deliberately walked up on
the sidewalk and took his stand.
My grandfather cleaned up all the
brickbats and sticks for fifty yards
III CNCIy ol1 GCI1IJ1 1IOlu CudC SdC0
and the mule had the benefit of
every one of them. Next the mule
showed that he could tell the time
OF day, for punctually five minutes
before my grandfather was due to
turn the corner that mule would take
his stand in front of the gate and
pretend to fall asleep.
1t was funny sight to see my
grandfather come around the corner
with an armful of brickbats and bot
ties, for he gathered up all he came
across, knowing that the mule would
be waiting for him. There was daily
bombardment and, though my
grandfather was a church member,
his language would not have given
much evidence Of the fact. After
the last bricl{bat or bottle had been
thrown the mule would pretend to
wake up and then would walk leis-
urely away.
| don't know how long that fight
would have lasted had [ not taken
hand and affected a cure of the
mules meanness. One day l was on
the upstairs gallery and saw the
mule, just under me, pretending to
be asleep. On the gallery was
large bird case, the bottom Of which
had been torn off, leaving the ends
Of the wires sticking out. | took
this and, balancing it carefully, l
threw it down on the mules back,
sharp ends down.