90 THE STlilKE AT SHANE'S. 



" Well, it shall be done," said Shane. "Tom, you 

 an' Mike go an' put that old mule in the back stall an' 

 give him something to eat." 



The mule, much to his astonishment, was driven into 

 the stable and put in a warm stall. Corn and hay 

 were put in for him to eat, and he proceeded to fill his 

 empty stomach without any thought of saying grace. 



' ' How is this ? " he cried to Dobbin ; ' ' there's been 

 some changes since I was here before." 



"Well, I should say so," said Dobbin. " We have 

 everything heart could wish for now." 



"Well, I'm glad to hear that," said the mule, "and 

 if I can get a job here I'm going to stay." 



"I hope you^ will," said Dobbin, " for we all feel 

 kindly towards you for instructing us how to carry on 

 the strike." 



"Well, there's one mule thoroughly surprised," said 

 Tom, after they had returned to the house. "1 never 

 saw an animal look so surprised as he did when we put 

 him in the stable ; an' the way he shook the snow off 

 his old faded hide and went for that corn was a sight 

 to see." 



"Well, it won't cost much to keep him, an' I guess 

 we'U just let him stay this winter," and the mule got 

 his job. 



" That's right, Misther Shane ^ an' the good God xmll 

 give ye cridit for it in the nixt world," said Mike. 



' ' A nd all God-fearing people will give you credit for 

 it in tMs world," said Mrs. Shane, 



