Matt Bonner is constantly teased about the fact that he doesn't feed his mule and often neglects it and overworks it. The people from the store would tell him that the mule is "bad off," and many would agree that Matt is borderline abusive towards it. On the surface, Matt seems unconcerned and indifferent about the teasing, which makes him seem cruel and uncaring; but, sometimes he gets mad and stammers a weak response, which might signify that he actually takes the jokes seriously and perhaps even cares about the mule more than he lets on. One day, his mule disappears, and the men who find it begin to torture it. Joe buys it for five dollars and sets it free, and the people applaud his kindness and nobility.