Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-01-29
A STEAM HORSE.
The Invention Of California;
Shallow Device
[ From he NelU YORK 9imes.I

From NE -NeIC York Times
An Ingenious Californian has invented a
new method of employing steam as the mo-
tive power OF street cars. The task which he
proposed TO himself in making this iuyen-
tlOn was simple one, inasmuch as he did
not intend TO do away with railway tracks
nor 10 change the pattern of the street cars
now in use. What he tried to do was To de-
wise locomotive which would not frighten
horses, AMI be fancies that he has fully ac-
complished his purpose by building a loco
motive IN what he regards as the likeness of
horse.
The new steam horse resembles the orcIi-
nary style OF animal so far as its head and
shoulders are concerned. There, however
It's resemblance abruptly ends. Theron an
1mal is devoid of legs, for whNh are substi-
tuted wheels, JUST visible at the foot OF an
iron pctticOat. Where the hind quarters of
well Constructed horse ought to be the in
Nehtlye Californian has placed cab, re-
mlEdlDg one by Its appearance of a sedan
chelr. The steam horse is harneSssd with a
coU-catcheT, a headlight, and a bell, but,
berg built with inmOvable ears and no tail
whatever, It is unable 10 express its emo
lions except by the unequine process of whis-
Ting.
That any intelligent man should for a mo.
ment fancy that so prepoSterous q machine
could impose upon even the most stupid car
horse, is something wonderful. The inven-
TOR actually believes that the average horse
Will mistake this legless and tailless ma
chine for an animal of his own species.
Now, horse may not be much more intel
ngent than conscientious advocate of an
!IfeuecIHdole paper currency, out ne cannot
be imposed upon by any such shallow de-
vice as the Californian's steam horse. He
knows perfectly well that horses have legs,
and that they do not wear iron petticOats.
a horse with q cow-catcher would provoke
bis scorn and contempt, while he would un-
douotedly regard a horse with a blazing
bead light on his breast and bell modnted
between his ears as an equine demon from
which every animal with any vestige of
SELF Prospect ought TO promptly run away.
Even when standing motionless on the
track, and with an empty boiler, the IRON
horse would exhibit peculiarities which
would instantly convince real horses of his
fraudulent character. They would notice
his tncomprehensible difference to fire; the
unnatural calmness with which he would
witness the gambols OF q bit OF paper blown
about by the wind; and the fnexplicable
nrmness with which he would refuse to n v
from the presence Of that terrible danger
the sun umbrella. When Weighed at In a
turn OF mind, his stolid refusal to prick up
hts ears, and his inability to whsk any sort
OF tail, would instantly give rise to grave
suspicious OF his character. 1t would be
useless for the engine-driver to make show
OF whipping his insensate beast, or of cur
sing him with all the resources Of California
profanity. The sound made by beating the
BOILER Iron would never be mistaken by an
experienced horse for the familiar thud OF
The cartrung upon his hide and bone; and
the failure OF the driver to dIsmount and
Kick his steea In the ribs would convince all
reflective horses that there must be some-
thing wrong about him.
so far as the newly-invented steam-h horse
stupidity OF other horses, he is undoubtedly
a failure. But there Is still stronger Objec-
uon 10 him. Even If he were not to frighteu
horses, he would most certainly frighten
children, nervous people, and persons ad-
whisky.