A BUT’FUL GUV’MENT MULE.
AFTER the fall of Richmond it was found that the people were in a very destitute condition, many of them being almost in a state of starvation.
Every agency was at once used to furnish them with food.
The government issued rations as they came in, and the Sanitary and Christian Commissions distributed large supplies.
Among those who assisted in distributing the supplies of the Christian Commission was the Rev. John O. Foster, now living in Chicago, Ill.
Each day the supplies would be issued according to the amount on hand and the number standing in line.
Slowly the procession would march up with baskets to get what was offered; black and white, rich and poor, old and young, all fared and shared alike.
One evening after the issue had been made and the room cleared, an old colored man, who had been sitting off in one corner on a box, arose and shuffled along towards Mr. Foster. Taking off his old torn hat he made a low bow.
“Why, you’re too late; why didn’t you come up when the others did?”
“No, massa, I izent. Ben’s done gone and got my rashuns. I’se cum har on bizness.”
“Well, what can I do for you?”
“I’ze mos’ ’shamed to tell you, Capt’n,” and he put his old hat to his face and chuckled heartily. Then continued, “You see, Capt’n, day’s sellin’ lot uv guv’ment mules cheap, mighty cheap, mos’ as cheap as dirt, and I cud make a fortin if I could buy one; day’s sellin’ for twenty dollars, massa—but’ful guv’ment mules.” Then there was an awkward pause.
“Well?”
“I thot mebbe you’d len’ me de money.”
Foster laughed heartily.
“How would you ever pay me back?”
“By haulin’; dar’s a big speculation in it; make a fortin right off.”
“Where will you get a wagon?”
“Oh, I’ze got a wagin; one ole massa throde away and I mended up. An’ I’ze got ropes and ebery ting ’cept de mule; dat’s all I want now.”
“You think you will pay me back?”
“Sartin, massa. If I don’t pay, I guvs up de mule.”
Again Mr. Foster laughed at the thought of that mule coming back on his hands.
“Well, I think you ought to have the mule now,” was Foster’s generous reply; “and here is twenty dollars to buy one, but you must pay it back,” and he handed him a ten-dollar and two five-dollar bills.
“My Lor, massa! Neber had so much money ’fore in all my life. If I dun fail to pay it back, de mule’s yourn, sure.”
“Now, don’t allow yourself to be robbed or cheated out of it.”
“No, massa; I hain’t goin’ to let nobody know I’ze got nuthin’ till I git hole on de mule.”
Two days passed, and he saw nothing of the colored man. On the evening of the third day the colored man came in late, and took a seat in the corner on a box. But after all had left the room he came close up to Foster with his hand on his pocket.
“Well, did you get the mule?”
“Yes, massa; I got de most beautifullest mule dat you ever seed—de bes’ kind uv government mule.” Then he took from his pocket two clean, crisp five-dollar bills, and handed them to Mr. Foster. “’Fore Sat’day night I gwine to pay all, I ’spects; I’ze doin’ a busten bus’ness.”
The next Saturday evening the colored man was there; and as soon as the room was cleared he came forward, and, making sure that no one else would see, he took out quite a roll of bills, and from them selected a clean, crisp ten-dollar bill and handed it to Mr. Foster.
“How in the world did you make so much money?”
“I tole you, massa, der war a speculashun in it, an’ der war. Me and de mule and Ben arned ev’ry dollah. He’s the beautifullest mule you ever seed. Ben brung him round so as you could see ’em.”
Mr. Foster went to the door. There, sure enough, stood a good, strong mule, as docile, as quiet and sedate, as though he had not hauled the artillery into the fight, and stood near the big guns amid the thunders of battle; for Ben said, with great pride,—
“Dis mule is one uv dem best mules dat pulled de big guns ober de hills. Oh, he’s an awful strong hos!”
Little Ben sat on a board placed as a seat at the front of the wagon, his white, even teeth showing from ear to ear, and his eyes sparkling with gladness. Ben managed to buy a lot on a back alley and build himself a shanty and a little stable for the government mule.
Judging from his thrift, he is, no doubt, if alive, one of the wealthy colored men of Richmond now.