The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1882-10-07
FLASH.
THE rIREHAN's STORY.

Flash vas whits-foot sorrel, an run on mo. 3;
Not much stable manners IAN average horse 10
Notional in bis methods-strong in loves an
Not very much respected, or popular 'mongst his
mates.
Dull. an moody, an sleepy on "0ft' an quiet
days.
Full ofturb'lent sour looks, an small Sarcastic
ways;
Scowled an bit at his partner, and banged the
stable floor
With other tricks intended to designate life
bore.
But when, bet day or night time, he heard the
alarm bell ring,
He'd rush for his place in the harness with a
regular tiger spring;
An watch with nervous shivers the clasp OF
buckle an band,
Until i was plainly evident he'd like to lend a
hand.
An when the word was given, away he would
rush an tear,
Asif thousan' witches were .rumplin' up his
hair,
An wake his mate up crazy with its magnetic
charm;
For every hoof-beat sounded . regular ire
alarm
Never horse jockey would worship an, admire
Like Flash in front ofhis engine, racin' with
fire.;
Never horse 50 lazy, so dawdlin', an so slack
As Flash upon bis return trip a-drawin' the en-
gne back.
Now, when the different horses gets tender-foot-
ed an old
They amt no use in our business; so Flash was
finally sold
To quite respectable milkman; who found it
not so fine
A-bossln of Gods creature outside'o' their reg
lar line.
here now,
A-feelin' that he was simply ASST tant to COW;
Bat sometimes he'd imagine he heard the alarm
BELLS din,
An jump an rear for a minute before they could
hold him in;
An once, in spite O. his master, he strolled in
'monst us chaps,
perhaps;
Whereat the milkman kicked him: wberefor, us
boys to please,
He begged the horses pardon upon his bended
knees.
But one day, for "a big fire we were maxim a
dash,
Both O. the horses we bad on somewhat resem-
Din FIaShs
Yellin' an ringin' an rushin', with excellent
voice and heart,
We passed the poor old fellow, a-tuggin away at
his cart.
If ever I see an old horse grow upwards into a
new,
If ever see dryer whose traps behind him
flew,
Twas that old horse, rompin' an rushin'
down the track,
An that respectable milkman a-tryin' to hold
him back.
Away no dashed like Cyclone for the head of
No. 3,
Gained the lead an kept it, an steered his jour
ney free:
Dodgin' the wheels an horses. an still on the
keenest "silk,"
And furnishin' all that district with good ie-
spectacle milk.
Crowd a-yellin' an runnin and vainly, holer-
"Whoa |"
Milkman bracin' an sawin', with never bill
ofshow;
Firemen laughin and chucklin, an hollerin'
"Good 20 in r.
Hoss a-gettin' down to it, an sweepin' along
like sin.
Finally come where the fire was, halted with .
s'thud,"
Sent the respectable milkman heels over head in
mud;
Watched till he see the engine properly workin
there
After which he relinquished all interest in
the affair.
Mooped an wilted an'::dawdled- away
once more
Took up hiso old occ' patton of yotin' life bore;
Laid down in his harness, and-sorry am ts
say
The milkman he had drawn there drew hi.
dead body away.
That's the whole o my story: I've seen, morn
once or twice
That poor dumb animals ACTIONS are full of hui
man advice;
An if you ask what Flash taught, simply an
swer you. then,
That poor old horse was symbol of some intel
ligent men
--lWill Carleton, in Harper's Magazine fol
October.