Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1886-01-07
DRIVING AS AN Art.



greeting given from light wagon by a
reporters horsc-dealing friend as he
pulled up in Harlem lane. Jump in
here and I'll show you how fast horse
can't 60 that's got a big record. The
reporter took seat in tho top wagon,
and the horse logged at comfortable
gait up the avenue.
I'm exercising this brute for a GUS
TONER of mine who has gone abroad"
continued the horscman. "He gave a
rippin' price for him at some country
fair last summer because he had rec
ord Of 2:50. can't say he never trot-
ted it, but I'll bet or swear he's reform
ed or thinks it's wicked to do it again.
The well filled thoroughfarc caused
the reporter to remark that the business
of driving was enlarging yearly.
That's so" said the horseman, .sand
/ don't know Of any other line where
safety of life and limb is concerned that
allows the employment of SO many mex
perienced, incapable persons. You'll
see thsm at all times on the road and in
the streets in charge Of public and pri-
vate turnouts, and it seems to be
know nothing, fear nothing.
Now look at this fancy affair along
side of us, said he, pointing to light
stepping nervous bay team before an ell
egant carriage and driven by man
gorgeously clad in livery; do you know
that money wouldn't hire me to ride in
closed rig like that with such driver9
too much style, too little sense. That
fellow has been told to sit up straight
and stiff so that his toggery can be seen,
and to initiate some foreign nonsense in
holding elbows close to his ribs and his
lines mp near to his chin. He has the
reins in one hand and the whip in the
other; now suppose one of them nice
horses should stumble or slip, he might
get bad scratch or sprain, for there's
no pull on him to recover his bit. Then
again, il a spirited team like that should
take fright and want to run. what con-
troll over it has a man in that positionp
Why, before he could gather his lines
and get himself into shape, such pair
of horses could make from three to five
jumps, and that's where the luck would
have to comein.
at seems to me that people who are
bright enough to make wealth and di-
rect warkmen should have better judy
ment in selecting drivers. or course
there are many expert drivers in the en-
ployment of our best families; they got
good pay, know their business, and are
allowed to manage it. The trouble with
many private drivers is that they hayo
to put up with low wages and perform
mixed duties. at that 'First-class men
will not submit to such terms; tip-top
American drivers kick at wearing livery
dnds at any price. Driving ought to at
least come under the head Of skilled la
Dor; some of these days believe you'll
see bureau established requiring an Off
cial test for drivers fitness. Men who
have charge of boats and boilers are all
under some sort of supervision; an en-
gineer. of course has to be 'skillful and
intelligent. but his charge allows him
many guides to 60 by. A gauge shows
him the pressure Of steam. an unusual
sound IN the movement Of machinery
notifies him that something must be cx-
amined or corrected. A horse needs
comparatively as much watching as
boat or boiler, and life is as sacred by
the carriage load as by the boat load
As it is now, anybody, boy or man, can
rattle through the streets with single
or double team at the risk of making
paragraphs for you chaps. Why, sir,
there are hundreds of men driving horses
every day in this city-and especially on
Sundays-who couldn't adjust single
or double harness in any emergency.
You've often noticed when horse has
fallen and has to be unbuckled to rise or
to pull the shafts out of his way, good
natured cartmen, bystanders or police
men have had to do the business. Speak
ing of harness, if had my way I'd have
an authorized harness inspection for all
public service where the wear and tear
are severe; much safety could be provid-
ed for by such system.
Employers who lack horse knowl-
edge are often deceived by the drivers
who assume the qualifications, Here is
a case: A nice old gentleman who lives
near me, who keeps private coupe and
has fairish lump of a horse stopped
me the other day and called my attention
to the animal.
"'My driver said he, says he's spav-
ined.' Hooked at the beast and saw no
evidence. Where is he spavinedp' l
asked of the driver. In his forelcg,'
said he, pointing with his whip. Well,
I explained to the old gentleman that
horses didn't get spawned in their fore
leg, aiid didn't embrace the opportu-
nifty for swap. So you see there's some
virtue in horseman.
"How can a safe private driver be Sc
lecteda Well, city and western stage
drivers are good line of men to draw
from; almost any of them with fair
reputation for sobriety would fill tho
bill. They are accustomed to close and
fast driving and are familiar with all de-
tails of horses and wagons in case any
thing needs looking after.
'Colored men? o, yes, there are lots
of good darby drivers; they like horses
and horses take to them with fondness.
Some of them are apt, however, to de-
light in show, and will make free
going team do more work than white
man will. Unless he's bossed pretty
sharp our colored brother will often use
up good horse about as quick as-well.
about as quick as a lady driver will
Ne,o York Tribune.