Silas’s Mule

By Jeffrey Paolano

“Kendall, how long Silas worked that piece?” asks Worther.

“Recollect ’bout eighteen year,” allows the owner.

“His crop satisfy you?”

“Satisfactory.”

“Put on a tractor; you’d get more’n satisfactory.”

“Piece can’t support no tractor you.”

“If I allow a tractor on tick, that’ll work.”

Kendall never knew Worther to put his foot wrong. He squints; shied by the man he decides, “I’ll put the question to Silas.”

~

“Silas, what’d ya say I allow a tractor?”

“What happens to the mule?”

“Sell the mule.”

“Put in a heap o’years, shame to shuck ’em as reward.”

“So, no to a tractor.”

“Yes’m, no.”