The St. Joseph observer., 1921-03-12
OUR STANDBY-TIIE MISSOURI
MITE


a report from the state board of
agriculture states that the price of
Missouri mules is advancing-which is
about the only thing that the farmer
handles which is now on the upward
trCnd-and it also shows that while
the Missouri mule Is despised and
rejected Of men like some other
things at which foolish mortals turn
up the nose, he is one of mankind's
best friends and useful co-workers-
He looks funny. but he is not. Life
with his is very serious. When he is
eating he is thinking about when he
will have to go to work. and when he
is working he is thinking about when
no can eat. What could be more serl-
Gus than that?
lie is a type Of them that labor and
do nothing else. IIo does not play,
he is not trotted out on parade. he
sits for no painter, he never larks nor
loafs; he works, and when he is not
working he is getting ready to work.
lie is probably the best worker IN the
world.
lie is no aristocra lie is not bour-
Geols. He is plum proletariat
Though Emory Storrs said that he
is without pride in ancestry or hope
Of POstcrity, the mule remains the
most dependable OF all the dumb
creatures that toll for man.
The late war was won by men
and mules. The quartermaster- -gener-
al Of the army, in his report OF the
war, declares that the mule proved
himself to be more valuable than the
horse. lie has more sense, more
presence of mind and less fear.
lie kept his head even on the firing
line when all about him was panic.
The Encyclopedia Britannica says
OF him:
The mule possesses the sobriety
patience and sure-footedness Of the
ass, and the vigor, strength and cour-
age Of the horse"
To which may be added, "and
some"
For n mule never founders himself
as a horse will do. He knows when
he has got enough to eat, which Is
more than some mortals know.
lie will not make himself sick
gorging on water. even on the hottest
days.
He can be kept shod for half what
It costs to shoe the horse.
lie can pull a heavier load. keep
going longer, stand more abuse, get
along on less to eat and on less care
than the horse.
And contractors say that for all
around utility he is cheaper and more
satisfactory than a gasoline tractor.
As far back as we can trace au-
tentic history we find him patiently
bearing mems burdens.
He made possible the triumphs OF
Alexander, the conquests Of Caesar,
the campaigns of ChaIlemagne and
the brilliant victories of Napoleon.
Also he was on hand, dragging the
ammunition wagons and supplies for
Pershings men in the recent unpleas-
antness.
Prices are falling on silks, steel.
bacon, Goldfish and hired girls, but
the price Of mules is advancing stead
ily. In this middle west mules are
about the only commodity that is
holding its own in the market, and
all OF our livestock journals say
that mule prices will probably 60
higher.
! In all the improvements and dis
coveries OF this scientific era the mule
stands unimprovablo and with undi-
minished indispensabnity.
Henry Ford and his farm tractors
do not worry him at all. lie was here
before gasoline was ever heard OF and
will bo here. holping build roads
grade railways and excavate founda.
tions when the last drop Of petroleum
has been tapped.
When the pioneers from Now zea-
land, ten thousand years from now
shall discover Manhattan Island, and
begin raising crops am Jng the ruin,
Of the fallen brick and rusted iror
that was once New York, they will b,
plowing with the mule. tho same pa.
tient and everlasting worker tina
helped prepare the foundations foi
the walls Of Babylon and Nineveh.
HUGHES A TOWER OF STRFNGTT