A Mule's Reserved Power

Tliis mulé looked like he was 138 years olcl, and was dead standing upon liis feet. He was liitclied to a pinebodied .spring-wagon, with a high dasli board. The " team " was standing üjj the levee in mute silence. while the oíd darkey who " driv " it went aboard the wharfboat A tramp conld make a barrel of money selling pictnres of thut mulo. labeled " Patience." His loug. llabby ears hung down each side of his head like window-awnings with the rods out of them. His face wore a sober look, while out of his month hung a tongne ! eight iuches long. His tail swung down from the rear end of his hurricane roof like a wet rope, while his whole body seemed as motionless as death itself. Presently a red-headed urchin, with au old boot in his hand. walked up in front of him, and. looking into his face. sn.w that the mule was asleep. He walked around, climbed up into that wagon leaned over the dashboard, lifted that muie's tail, and let it come down in time to catch a ■ death-grip on that boot-leg. That mulé woke up so quiok that he kicked the boy ■ and the dashboard twenty feet into the air. He didn't stop there. He ehanged the positions of his ears. hauled in his tongue. planted his fore feet, and his head between his knees, and from the fore shouldera to the tip of his fcrunk was in lively motion, and he didn't look like he was more than 2 years old, the wiiy he was kieking that old wagon-body into kindling-wood with Lis heels. He had it all to himself, and was doing line, whf n the old darkey ruslied up the hill. got in front of him, and, grabbing him by eaeh ear, sbouted, "Whoa! I teil you. Wat's de matter wid yon? Whoa-up?" and, looking around at the crowd, yelled, "Will some o' y er gemmen git dat er boot-leg out wile I hole him? case de waggin's mine, an' I jes horroired de mule." But no one ventured, and when we left his heels had almost reached the tail-gate, and the old darkey was still yelling '■ W'hoa !" Louisottu ('ourier-Jourmtl.