The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1886-01-07
DRIVING AS AN ART.
A Horseman's Criticism Of the Incom-
petcnt Men who Handle Them.

s'Jump IN here, was the nearL.
greeting given from light wagon by
reporters horse-dealing friend as h
pulled up in Harlem lane. Jump il
here and I'll show you how fast hors'
can't go that's got big record. Th'
reporter took seat in the top wagon
and the horse logged at q comfortable
gait up the avenue.
SIN exercising this brute for a Gus
toner of mine who has gone abroad,
continued the horseman. HE gave &
rippin' price for him at some country
fair last summer because he had rec
ord of 2:5O I can't say he never trot
ted it, but I'll bet or swear he's reform
ed or thinks it IS wicked to do it again. >
The well filled thoroughfare caused
the reporter to remark that the business
of driving was enlarglng yearly.
That's so,' said the horseman, "and
/ 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 them 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 uothing.'
"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 nae toride in a
closed rig like that with such a driver?
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 up 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, if spirited team like that should
take fright and want TO run. what con-
troll over it has man in that position?
Why, before he could gather his lines
and get himself into shape, such a pair
Of horses could make from three TO five
jumps, and that's where the luck would
have to come in.
1 1T seems to me that people who are
bright enough to mike wealth and di-
rect warkmen should have better judg-
ment in selecting drivers. Of course
there are many expert drivers in the en-
ployment Of our best families; they get
good pay, know their business and are
allowed to manage it. The trouble with
many private drivers is that they have
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
duds at any price. Driving ought to al
least come under the head of skilled la
Dor; some of these days / believe you'll
see bureau established requiring an Off
oial test for drivers fitness. Men who
have charge of boats and boilers arc an
under some sort of supervision; an en-
gineer of course has to be skillful and
intelligent, but his charge allows him
many guides to go By Agange shows
him the pressure of steam, an uni,sual
sound in the movement Of machinery
notifies him that something must be cx-
aminod or corrected. A horse needs
comparatively as much watching as a
boat or boiler, and life Is sssnrFed 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 mxling
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
q case: A nice old gentleman who lives
near me, who keeps private coupe and
has fairish lump of 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 spavined?' /
asked of the driver. In his foreleg,'
said he, pointing with his whip. Well,
explained to the old gentleman that
horses didn't get spawned in their fore
EGGS, and i didn't embrace the opportu-
aity for swap. So you see there's some
virtue in horseman.
''How can a safe private driver be Sc
ecteda Well, city and western stage
lrivers are good line Of men to draw
rom; almost any Of them with fair
reputation for sobriety would fill tho
Dill. They are accustomed to close and
last driving and are familiar with all de-
;ails of horses and wagons in case any
hing needs looking after.
ssColored menp 0, yes, there are lots
If good darky drivers; they like horses
ind horses take to them with q fondness.
Some of them are apt, however, to de-
light in show, and will make a free
yoing team do more work than white
nan will. Unless he's bossed pretty
sharp our colored brother will often use
Up . good horse about as quick as-wcll.
about as quick as . lady driver will. -
Nes0 York Tribune.