The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1886-01-15
WHOLE NO. 862
DRIVING ASIAN ART.
A HoRsEMAN's CRITICISM OF THE
MEN WHO HANDLE REINS.
An Imitation of Foreign Nonsense-,gude-
nent In Selecting Drivers-Harness
Should BE Inspected = Various
Points Worth Remembering.
New York 'rribune.l

"Junip in here" was the hearty greeting
given from a light wagon by reporters
horse-dealing friend as he pulled up in
Harlem lane. Jump IN here and I'll show
You how last q horse. can't go -that'sgot
big record" The reporter took seat in the
top wagon, and the horse logged at COM
Portable gait up the avenue.
'1'm exercising this brute for customer
of mine who has gone abroad" continued
the horselnan. ''He gave rippin' price for
him at some country fair last summer be-
cause lie had record of $50 | can't say
he never trotted it, but I'll bet or swear he's
reformed OF thinks it's wicked to do it
again"
The well filled thbroughfare caused the re-
porter to remark that the business of driving
was enlarging yearly.
''Fhat's so," said the norseman, :'and |
don't know of any other line where safety
of life and limb is concerned that allows
the employment of SO many inexperienced,
incapable persons You'll see them at all
times on the road and in the streets in
charge of public and private turnouts, and
it seems to be know nothing, fear nothing
sOMF FOREIGN NONSENSE.
SNOW look at this fancy affair alongside
of u.s." said he, pointing to housekeeping
nervous bay team before an elegant carriage
and driven by man gorgeously clad in
livery; s'do you know that money wouldn't
hire me to ride in a closed rig like that with
such driver? too much style, too little
sense That fellow has been told to sit up
straight and stiff 50 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 nne hap md tha t,yliT, in, fba 9TH
now suppose one of them nice horses
should stumble Or slip, he might get
bad scratch OF sprain, for there's
no pull ON him tp recover his bit Then
again, if spirited team like that
should take fright and want to run, what
control over it has man in that position.
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 come
IN.
1T seems to me that people who are bright
enough to make wealth and direct workmen
should have better Judgment in selecting
drivers OF course there are many expert
drivers in the employment 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 Mt any price.
A DRIVERS FITNESS
'Driving ought ito at least come under the
head of skilled labor; some of these days
believe you'll see a bureau established re-
quiring an officiallte for drivers fitness.
Men who have charge of boats and boilers
are all under some sort of supervision; an
engineer of course has to be skillful and in
telligemt, but his charge allows him many
guides to go by. "a gauge shows him the
pressure of steamt an unusual sound in the
movement of machinery notifies him that
something must be examined or corrected
horse needs comparatively much care
ful watching as a 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 para
graphs for you chaps.
"Why, sir, there are hundreds Of men
driving horses every day in this eity-and
especially on Sunday-who couldn't adjust
q double or single harness in any emergency.
You've often noticed when horse has fallen
the shafts out of Ills way good natured cart
men, bystanders, or policemen have had to
do the business. Speaking of harness, if I
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 provided for by such system.
POINTS WORTH REMEMBERING.
employers who lack horse sense are Of
ten deceived by the drivers who assume the
qualifications Here is case: A nice old
gentleman living near me, who keeps pri-
vate coupe and fairish lump of horse,
stopped me the other day and called my at
tention to the animal
"sMy driver said he, says he's spav-
ined' looked at the beast and saw no ev-
idence Where is he spavinedn | asked |
of the driver. In his foreleg,' said he,
pointing with his whip Well, I explained |
to the old gentleman that horses didn't get |
spawned i'll the forelegs, and didn't em-
brace the opportunity of swap. So you !
see there's some virtue in horseman.
Chow can safe private driver be Sc
lected? Well, city and western stage drivers
are a good line of men to draw from; al |
most any of them with fair reputation for |
sobriety would fill the bill They are &C
to close and fast driving, and are
familiar with ali details of harness and |
wagons in case anything needs looking |
after
"Colored mens Oh, yes, there are lots of
good darky drivers; they like horses, and |
horses take to them with a fondness. Some
of them are apt, however, to delight 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 ups good horse about as quick
about as quick as lady driver
will"