Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1895-07-13
THE HORSE THAT RANG THE
FRONT DOOR BELL.

FRONT DOOR BELL.
The following is true account OF
Barney" one of the Columbia fire
engine horses Of this city.
All who know Alexandria, and have
"sparkn of enthusiasm in them, take
a deep interest in the old Columbia Fire
Company, and all that pertains to them;
and many of the older citizens know
the names of "Bill" and Barney as
well as they do their own. They were
two handsome blacks-the first pair OF
horses used to draw the first steam fire
engine of Alexandria. 1t was proud
day for this old city when 25 years ago
the sun shone on the coal black horses,
Bill and Barney, drawing the beautiful
engine of glittering brass and steel and
bright red paint.
Ia the days l speak of the horses were
in charge of Mr.. B., who took such de-
voted care of them. And as he'd be
exercising his pets he would frequently
go by "home,n next door to the old
Friendship engine house, so closely as
sociated with Gen. Washington, on AL
fred street, near King, and there he or
his little boy would stop for refresh
ments, and of course found great pleas
ure in giving cakes, apples, &C., to the
horses, not just once in six weeks or
two months, but about as often as they
had them for themselves.
When first starting out for exercise
they would put brides on both horses /;
ride "Billey," and let Barney follow on
by himself, at "his own sweet will"
And as they stopped at home each day
and the good things were brought out
for men and horses, it was but natural
that the horses should have pleasant
impressions of the place, and that "Bar-
ney," as he was free, should walk up to
the steps, and about the door, and try
to get nearer to the inside, where the
apples and cakes came from. And one
day as be was nosing about he took the
bell-knob of the next door house be-
tween his teeth, and of course as it
would pull it got pulled. The inmates,
hearing such on uncommonly, loud and
unaccountable ringing hastened to see
the cause, half afraid to open the door,
but gaining courage, through curiosity,
they finally returned to open it just a
crack, just enough, you know, to see
with one eye; when to their surprise
who should they see, but their old
friend Barney, and after hearty laughs
at him they brought him Jumps of sugar
to reward him for his smartness. Bar
ney had horse sense enough to know it
was well to repeat good thing and he,
of course, frequently rang the bell af-
ter that, for it always brought good re-
suits, such as pettings, laughings, su-
gar, apples and cakes.
suppose he would have favored his
masters door in the same way, but it
had one of those dear old.time knockers
on it. that we all like so much in these
days, but Barney" did not find out
how to use that, perhaps he was not an
antiquarian, and so was satisfied with
modern improvements" and preferred
the bell At any rate he used the bell
faithfully.
Bill and Barney were pets with every
body, and so had the freedom of the
city" extended to them in a great meas
ure and thus naturally became a little
otticious, and felt at liberty to walk on
the sidewalks. And Barney as he went
along Independently would frequently
go up to passer-by and help himself
to an apple or any thing pleasant out
of his basket; and timid ladies seeing
him coming SO close would scream, be-
comingly, you know, and run into the
nearest shop, to, to, to you know, get
out Of danger
On one occasion lady, Mrs. G.. and
her servant were returning from mar
ket with a tempting basket of fruit and
green's that took Barney's eye very de-
cidedly, and he followed so persistently
that they had to run up the steps of
1.-THE Widows Home" to get out of his
way.
And at another time, further up
town, he followed lady with her bas-
ket and, she being one of those timid
ones, set the basket down aud ran
home, leaving Barney with the prize.
Many people, however, understood
their friend Barney and welcomed
him as they passed, and handed him
apples and other good things.
1t would be pleasant if this story
could have a go> i ending, but, as it
undertakes to be true, it cannot. For
after fourteen years of faithful service
the Corporation authorities put these
old horses into the hands of horse
trader in Washington. He kept them
few days and sold them to an under
taker, but the dear old fellows soon
proved unfit for this service, as they
were always starting off unexpectedly
when large bells would ring in the
city, and old as they were thew were
far too lively for this business.
So they were sold again and one of
them, old "Bill, u was bought by a cit
izen here for his grocery wagon, and he
did good service for sometime, but
later on he got to falling down in the
street, and people remarked about it,
30 he was sold off down the country to
farmer.
"Barney's" friends tried to hear
some news of him, but never were able
to trace him after he went into the
hands OF the horse traders.
Alas alas that these faithful old
servants were turned loose upon the
world, after q long term of service
Why were they not sold to kind mas
ter, on easy terms, upon condition that
when they would be unfit for his use,
they should not be re-sold, but be skill
fully shot by the best marksman to be
found?
How much old horses SITTER, when
their friends turn their backs upon
e. j