The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-11-15
Smart Engine Horses.

you! He's mighty quick with his feet"
The speaker was member OF Engine
Company No. II whose house is in Lud-
low near Broome street, and the subject
Of his warning was large iron-gray
horse standing in his stall, with nose and
ears extended, in response to an amicable
advance of the reporters left hand.
"What is the matter with him?" asked
the reporter, suddenly withdrawing the
friendly left hand and placing his body
under cover of the side of the stall. us
he vicious?'
"Oh, no, not vicious, but playful, and
he is apt to jump at strangers.
''What is his name?"
Barney"
SIS he an intelligent fellow"
Eyes, but nothing like an old bay
horse named Martin, which split bis hoof
and had to be sent 10 the hospital. Old
Martin could do almost anything but
talk. I never saw the like of him.
When the gong would sound call to
Ere he would not only jump into his
place near the engine pole, as they all
soon learn to do, but he would be the
first there. and then he would raise his
head up and take the bit between his
teeth. At the same time he would paw
the air frantically with his right fore leg.
Bat i. is remarkable fact that
although he was here ten or eleven
years he never hit man while paw
ing. A man named Joe, who comes
here, used to bring lump sugar
in his pocket for Martin, and he would
follow Joe about like a dog and know
the minute Joe touched the handle of
the door on the outside. Joe used to
wear a peculiar looking SLOUGH hat, and
il seemed as if the horse would know the
shadow of that hat as soon as 1t fell on
the glass of the door. If Joe passed the
stall without noticing him Martin would
cut up all sorts of capers and raise the
biggest kind of racket to attract his at
tention."
In all of the engine-houses there is an
automatic device, by means OF spring
regulated by q wire attached to the sig
nal gong, for releasing the halter from
the eaten in the side of the stall. Old
Martin knew that fact so we'll that when
ever the )ng began to sound he wonld
pull so vigorously against the halter as
frequently to prevent the catch from be-
ing released by its fastening. He also
soon learned to unhitch the halter by
eAAluR Tue COAucelluS NAtC OCtWCCh LIS
teeth, and often on dull days would
amuse himself by making surreptitious
forays in search of water and oats. 1t
finally became necessary to cover the
wire with sheath of tin to prevent him
from roaming around the premises at
will. Old Martin had also a we'll de-
fined sense of humor as is proved by the
following anecdotes related by his
driver:
"He was the most gentle and docile
horse you ever saw, yet he took perfect
delight in frightening strangers. One
day visitor was standing close in front
Of the stall talking to me, his back
turned To the horse. All of a sudden
old Martin reared up and came down on
both fore feet with crash that nearly
made the stranger jump out of his skin.
my Godr he sung out, I thought
the roof was coming down
Zone rainy night we went to a fire at
Jones brewery, on Sixth street. Old
Martin was standing close to the side
walk and there came along young chap
With an umbrella over his hat. Martin
seized the end of the stick between his
teeth and brought the young fellow to a
sudden standstill. The man looked
round as if he thought somebody was
taking liberty with him, and when he
found it was only horse you ought to
have seen his establishment. / thought
would have died laughing. He got
ont from under the umbrella and began
10 strike at old Martin with his fist, say
ing all the time. Let 60 But not a bit
would Martin let go. There was good
deal of the bull dog about him.
Every other horse that l ever saw
vas afraid of being nit on the head and
would throw mp his head to avert blow,
but old Martin you could pound in the
face until you got tired and he would
never so much ~ vince. Well, so the
young man found ont. Old Martin kept
him there until he had all the fun he
wanted and until his hat and coat were
pretty we'll soaked with the rain.
Another great trick Of Martin WAS to
catch q passing stranger by the sleeve or
tsil OF bis coat and pull until the owner
would think he was going to pull it OF.
Sometimes We would have to beat him to
nake him lot go. Well sir, he was up
- more deviltry than you would dream
q. ! have often seen him take the
broom out OF the hands Of the man who
vas sweeping his stall and 60 through
~ motions - il be were sweeping him.
sslf. At one time there was . man be-
longing to the company who would take
him out into the yard back Of the house
80 hold he broom mp at him. Then
- would rear up on his hind legs and
n