Uncle Wendell had the best mule I have ever seen. You could ride him in a parade or work cows on him although I recall at least one instance when...

a "tired" mule throwed a real good cowboy real hard. But that's another story.

Rumor has it that Uncle Jerry wanted the mule bad and tried to buy him on more than one occasion with Uncle Wendell steadfastly refusing to sell the mule. Uncle Jerry's persistence finally paid off when Uncle Wendell reluctantly agreed to sell Uncle Jerry half  interest in the mule with the understanding that they could both use the mule. Uncle Jerry bought feed and they moved the mule out near Leona on to the place where Jim Ellis lived at the time. Jim was their nephew and a full time cowboy with plenty of opportunity to keep an eye on their investment for them.  

Everything went great until the mule ran out of feed and Uncle Jerry called Uncle Wendell to let him know that the mule needed more feed.

Uncle Wendell replied "Why are you calling me? I sold you the front half of the mule. My half doesn't eat!

True or not it makes me laugh every time I think about it. 

Cecil Bell Jr. (My uncles Wendell and Jerry Bell, both fine men, sons of Ernest and Lina Bell, Grandsons of Jack and Eva Bell)