The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1884-08-02
Frenehy and Rocket.

A reporter lounged up alongside of
Dan Beatty, of the J. G. and Bergen
car stables, Jersey City, and said "I'm
told that some interesting stories could
be related about some of the older
horses you have here"
Mr.. Beatty reflected a moment and
then spoke: snow, there Is old Fren-
chy," he said, "I could tell you a story
about him that you wouldn't believe,
maybe, but it's gospel truth, because it
was all eye witnessed by Mr.. Emerson,
who used to be foreman of the stables
believe it, because Emerson wouldn't
tell lie about such a matter. You
see, old Frenchy is the oldest horse in
the service. He was doin' duty on the
Erie line when was conductor. Le'-
me seel Frenchy must have been in
the harness now goln' on fifteen years,
and maybe more. For all that he does
square duty every day; that is, he does
his trips regularly, but about the duty
l amt 30 sure. You see, horse is
just like man. After he has put in a
long term of service In one place he
kind of knows the ropes, and is apt to
play 1T little on the greener ones
around him. Frenchy has drawn cars
over every line we've got, and there IS
nothing in any of them that he don't
know. A green horse is often put in
the traces alongside of Frenchy, and
for awhile that green horse's life is a
burden. Can't the driver stop the cid
feller's tricksp Bless your heart, Fren-
chy is smart enough to be on good
terms with the driver, and to make it
appear that all the trouble is due to the
awkwardness Of the green horse. Well,
about that story was goin' to tell you
about Frenchy. The old horse has got
a habit of slippln' his halter. No
matter how tight it is buckled on, he
will work at it until he works it off,
and then he will forage about the sta
BILE till some one one sees him and ties
him up again. One night old Frenchy
worked his halter off, and started on a
round Of the stable. Mr.. Emerson was
around, but kept shady TO see what the
old horse would do. There was key
of oats settin' in a corner, and old
Frenchy sighted 'em. He stopped, and
looked aroung to see If any one was
lookln'. Emerson shrunk himself into
little ball and watched with all the
eyes he had. The old horse stepped up
to the keg, gripped 1t in his teeth, rails.
ed it and carried it to his manger, where
be dumped 1t, and then carried the keg
back to the spot he took it from. EN-
erson says the old rascal actually chuck
led as he trotted back to his stolen grub.
You see, he knew there were watch
men prowling about the stables, and
that one of them would catch him If he
ate out of the keg, when he would be
choked off. On the other hand, if he
ate at his manger, no one would notice
him, and he could get away with all
the stolen prog. Pat Carroll, who was
then assistant, and is now foreman of
the stables, stands by Emerson i'll this
story, for Carroll was ON the little trick
| too."
"We've got horse on the Montgom-
cry street line," he continued, THAT
has got record of 2.27, and even less.
His name is Rocket, and you may be
sure he deserves his name. You can
take him out of his rope traces used in
the car, put him in fine harness before
road wagon, and he'll make three
quarters Of the fancy horses In this
town take his dust. The company has
been offered fancy price for him again
and again, but won't part with him,
He does his regular car duty every day,
just like the rest of our horses"
Mr.. Beatty mopped his head and
SAID: "There is driver named O'Bri-
en- on the Montgomery street line, who
has pet team. They are bays and
very pretty. They know him and will
do anything for him, but they make it
warm for any other driver. If any
body else drives them, they wait for
him to unhook them, preparatory to
turning around, and when he is lug
ging the whifiletree in one hand, and
hangin' on to them with the other. they
break away and dust for the stable.
But hold on here; I've got somethin'
else to do besides talkin' to you all day.
Good evening"" and Mr.. Beatty walk
ed off, leaving the reporter to wish for
more of his interesting chat.