The morning times., 1896-05-03

organization, are proud OF them. The ami
mails are recent additions TO the depart
ment. but they have learned the ropes
quickly and well. and are already experts
In the fire drill.
In one OF the stalls in the house of
Truci; ID is the veteran fire horse Chief" He
has lost none of his old-time vim. but
shows deficiency in speed. owing to
his advanced age, and his duty now is TO
haul the fuel wagon, which goes out on
the second call or general alarm, and
carries coal to the engines at work. For
years past the District fire horses have
been designated officially by numbers.
Their names are pet appelia tons supplied
by the men. ''Chief's" number is 26,
which shows that he has been in the de
partment long time.
The three horses that are attached to
Truck ID, abreast in ancient Roman chariot
fashion, are Ben, an irOn-gray Jim,
noble looking dapple bay, and Bill an
other IRON gray. These horses were
brought from the West recently. Before
being accepted they were passed upon by
the veterinary surgeon OF the department
ard Chief Paris. They have developed
good speed, and Chief Nicholson says
under favorable circumstances. incluGing
clear street, they can make mile in
three minutes. hauling the heavy truck.
jim. the center animal in the three
horse hitch,'' has developed a remarkable
degree of intelligence. When the alarm
sounds for the horses to run to the
poles, jim keeps his eyes on his mates,
Ben and Bill, and should they lag behind
he will stop and lCok at them iutently,
as much as to say. 'Why don't you come
| on?'' He will then wait until they come
abreast of him before rushing down to
where the harness is hung.
The three horses of Truck ID were never
| in harness until they came to that company.
| "A first they nad TO be led carefully do wn
| to the pole Seve raj times, but the sensible
animals soon learned to recognize the
| sound of the gong. and now run 10 their
| places without more ado when it sounds.
TREMBLING WITH EXCITEMENT.
Nearly all the fire horses tremble with
| excitement when preparations are being
made to make run TO the see ne OF Il fire.
| The firemen have learned, however, that
| patting their horses kindly on the neck or
| head is a great pnnacea for this species of
| equine nervousness, and few pats thus
administered rarely fail to quiet the most
| cXcitable animal.
One Of the best-traincd horses in th de-
partmCnt is Pete, n big, finely formed dap
| pie gray. He runs with old No 4 engine
| in South Washington. Pete is the pet OF
| Foreman w. Z SoTrell. OF that company.
| Mr.. Sorrell has been in the fire service
| twcnty-seven years. Pete has been fire
| horse for six years He occupies the place
| of drill master. and is now cnga gcd III
| breaking in three brother horses who have
| recently entered the service.
This remarkable animal has selected S
! his pla aymate and hed-feliow, u red, black
and white pussy cat who inrabits the fire
| house at No. 4 aud is called hV tie men
| 'TortCiSe-Sheil." Pete and "Torty,' as
the feline is called for short, have great
| time rOmping together in the fcrse's stall.
When pussy wants to play with Pete she
| puTrS aud rubs her archcd back against
| his glossy legs. This invitation the horse
| accepts and they play together like chill
drcn.
OFTEN Pete will reach his head down and
| seize ''TOrtv'' gently between his lips
and place her in his feed trough. Tfen,
| while she beats him playfully with her
| pa VS.. he will whinny with delight and root
! her gently about the hCX. The other day
| Pete and his feline companion had falling
out hecauSe she so far forgot herself as
| To scratch him ON tie nose while they We're
skvlarking.
Since then ''Tortoise- -srcll' has reen trv-
ing TO make up with him. She will ap-
| prOach his stall and look earnestly at him.
! as If 81 wing mutcly, Forgive me-" But
| Pete LAYS his ears back and paws at her.
as much aS TO say, NO, 'Torty,' you have
been bad cat" Pussy appears to miss
her former warm bed where she used TO
curdle mp in the night against the soft
coat of the great, sensible engine horse.
PETE LIKES CANDY.
| Another of Petes traits is his fondness
| for candy or lump sugar. Chief Sorrci
says he will follow person all about the
| house who exhibits handful Of sugar OF