THEY ALL KNEW WHAT TO DO.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIV, Issue III, 19 January 1895, Page 67

THEY ALL KNEW WHAT TO DO.

The crowd had gathered about a horse and buggy in the middle of the street. The horse had baulked. ‘ Tie a string round his ear,’ said one of the bystanders. ‘lt gives him something else to think of. I never knew in to fail.’ A string was produced and wound tightly round one of the animal's ears. It had no effect. • Blindfold him,’ suggested another. A bandage was tied over his eyes and an effort made to start him. Same result. • Back him.’ •He won't back,’ said the exasperated owner. ‘ I tried that.’ • Try him with an ear of corn.’ The ear of corn failed to move the obstinate horse. • I’ll see if I can’t persuade him some other way,’ said the exasperated owner of the animal. He took a whip and belaboured the beast with it till somebody threatened to have him arrested. Then he kicked him awhile. All in vain. Finally a benevolent-looking old gentleman forced his way through the crowd and said : • I have seen a great many baulky horses started by building a lire under them. Can you get some straw or shavings’’ A boy was sent to a neighbouring furniture store for some shavings. He came back presently with a huge armful, ft was placed on the ground under the horse, aud a lighted match touched to it. As the first feeble flame rose from it, and the smoke began to curl about bis legs, the horse unbent a little. He turned his head, took a calm survey of the situation, and when the combustible stuff burst into a big blaze, he moved forward about six feet, in full possession of his faculties, and without any unnecessary haste, and stopped again. And the elegant buggy was damaged twenty-five dollars’ worth by the flames before it occurred to anybody to scatter the blazing stuff. And then an old coloured man in a faded suit of secondhand clothes and a hat with half the brim gone went out and spoke kindly to the high spirited animal, rubbed his nose, patted him on the neck, climbed into the damaged buggy, and said, * Git along, sonny.’ And the horse moved off at a brisk trot, with his head high in the air.