The Cape weekly tribune. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1914-1914, 1914-08-28
PIONEER MULE
SPLATTERS JOKER
Animal That Was Playm
of Speck Davis Resents
Monkey Business

when Speck Davis returned Sat
day evening from the Home Corners
reunion, where he had gone to mingle
with his childhood friends from the
northern section Of the county, he
fairly bubbled with JOY.
He had not only met most of hi,
oid-time companions, but had brought
home with him the little red mule for
which he Ind always possessed /. a
yearning, and which Was presented to
him as a token Of Friendship from q.
old friend and neighbor, who lived ed
Joining the farm on which Speck was
| born. 80
The little mule was born about the
same time that SpeCk made his fiysa
appearance, and az children some 30
years ego, they would nck each Other
and romp and gambol over the farms
on which they lived, and no fence
could stop either Of them.
Their habits were alike, both were
red complexioned, and in fact many
strangers mistook them for twins.
rslp the meantime the senior Da,,.
soldshissfsrm, and concluded to ca.
his lot in thiescity. Naturally Spe
came with him. cad from that day
til last Saturday tie two old chu,
were separated. IA
When they met in jackson the rec
ognition was mutual, And the owner
OF the little red mule Was 80 touched
with the scene that he released all his
right, title and equity IN and 70 said
little red mule unto SDeck, his heirs
and assigns forever. 50
In the years thatspassed Speck dc,
veloped into a.abig broad shouldered
iaaap bstgthe~little mule never grew
an inch or gained pound. u
But he DEVELOPED n knockout punch.
in either heel and a disposition I.
force the fighting with any one en-
cept Speck. y
Speck's wife refused 10 have the 4.
mule in the house, so a nice airy STALL
with plenty Of soft bedding was en-
gagged at Charley Birkman's livery.
stable. r. a
The little mule carries d brush that
would arouse the envious feelings %
any red fox, and when one Of the as
sistants attempted 70 play trick on
Speck and his mule by trimming sdia
Saudal apPendage with the clippers.
Sunday, morning, the Joker disar
pesFed 'thEeogh - suddenly furmS
aperture, exactly his size and shan
IN TIE side OF the. barn, and .searchir
parties are still looking fofSbi,n'
yesterday afternoon arrangemen,
"ere maze TO 70 squirrel huntip.
several members Of the party 30
cured conveyances from Mr. Biram.n
put speck insisted on going along
WITH the little rcd mule, which h.
''tehed to a specially provided cart
IL was understood that the destina,
ION OF the entire party would be in
ne woods on Benton Hill. ''
Ai'er leaving the harm, nothing
more was seen Of the two cid cronies
h'ii some members OF the party re-
lrhing to the team in the late after
oon' discovered Speck's hitcb;ng
lace where the little red mule which
icy first mistook for a fox sopiyre,
as quietly sleeping on a large On
'ndIng limb, with the cart dangling
ke a pendulum from his body.
When one Of the hunters fired bis
IN IN the air, the startled sIeeper
ppled off the limb on the side oppo-
le the cart, and was struggling
antically when Speck appeared ON
e scene.
Speck was SO incensed when he
armed the cause of the trouble that
ordered them all to leave him to
ereome the difficulty alone.
me party arrived in the city short
a1ter dark, but at the time of GOING
press, Speck and his little rod
lie were still among the missing
|TEMpr tn DT nxx, -.