The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1869-08-13
A Funny Horse

We used to have a horse in Water street
Just as wise and full of fun as ever horse
could be-
Nearly opposite our store Spofield &
1lleston were putting an addition or new
office to their building The master ma
son used to come down each day to super
intend operations, and always rode large
'on-gray horse, which, the bride over the
ack of the saddle, he left standing in the
ireet. No sooner was he gone than Old
i'ay began to cock his eyes about for fun.
soon as he saw another horse standing
~ the curb he would sleepily saunter up
him very quietly and friendly, then sud-
Erenly reaching his head down, give the
Iinsuspecting beast such "nip" that he
would snort and yell with pain or rage,
Efwhile Old Gray would trot hriskly back 10
his stand with as much evident satisfac-
tion and laughter over his witicism a.
ever shone in the face of two-legged
joker. He performed this trick till his ap-
pearance in the street was sign for all
hands to throw by work and watch opera
tionS The men in our shop used to watch
him by the hour at a time
One day saw him go up in old style to
a smart looking horse that stood on the
lower side of the street near Maiden Lane,
and when a short way off stop and look as
If TO decide whether or not to try his game
on such an animal But fun was too much
for fear; twas amusing to see him work
IT. After the usual plan, he came up so IN
nocently and introduced his nose to the
acquaintance so gently and SO modestly
that the victim could not but be at rest
free from all suspicion but no sooner was
confidence gained and everythirc : arranged
to his satisfaction, than snap went his
teeth into the unsuspecting strangers s
breast, and before he had time to know
what bit him Old Gray had lodged, and,
rearing, planted his forcfcet on ono Of the
thills of the cart, thus holding it fast
Soon, however, he had driven all car
men who had stands in that part of the
street TO watch his motions They hid
themselves in the stores, and when they
caught him at his pranks, out they
pounced, whip in hand, and he suffered
punishment some But twas of no use to
try to head him off: it took only short
experience TO teach caution, and you
would have laughed to have seen him &C
poking along the street, his eyes leering
into the stores to see if he could spy any
of his foes hanging about the doors.
After time, obliged to give this up
too close aswatch being kept-be resorted
TO another plan for mischief: he would
plant himself across the street, head to the
pile of brick, tail to the curb, then when.
ever he espied a cart or wagon approach
ing, of sudden he was in the sOundesi
sleep, and all shouting and halloinp
couldn't awaken him more than the Seven
Sleepers, nor bulge him hair. The only
means of moving him was to dismoun,
and, taking his bit, lead him off As soon
however, as the last one was out of sight
back again he would march and again b.
sound asleep, ready for the next corner
All the while you could fairly see the cor
ners of his eyes and mouth twitch ant
draw up with laughter; his tail and ever,
part of his body seemed to partake of hi
jollity and fun. If perchance, carma1
"smelt mice" having been sold before
and resorted to his rung for an argument
+. instead of waiting to be led, then yo,
should have seen the old fellow only lie b,
TO see the victim jump off his cart, anc
then tail in air, with Gathering hoofs ant
almost human laugh, he was off dowI
the street.
At times he would Chamber with hi
front feet upon the brick, and his hind leg
in the street, stand and apparently expert
ment to see howrlose the boys could driv,
without barking his gambrels-Comi,
Monthly.