THE BREEDING OF MULES 209 



In his book General Grant told of a certain army 

 chaplain who always took an active part in the 

 battles. On one occasion the roads were blocked 

 up with mule-drawn trains, and it was most de- 

 sirable for them to get out of the way. The chap- 

 lain lent a hand to the teamsters. Now mule- 

 drivers use language more forceful and pictur- 

 esque than pure or elegant. Well, the parson " cus- 

 sed and swore, " with the rest of them, and help- 

 ed straighten out the tangle. That evening the 

 General thanked the chaplain, but said: "How 

 do you reconcile the language you used with your 

 conscience .'' " " Oh,' ' answered the chaplain,' ' do 

 mules understand any other language .''" 



