A KNOWING HORSE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1131, 4 January 1884, Page 3

A KNOWING HORSE.

The Southland Jfewn tells the following interesting story They hard a horse at the Bluff which is a popular favourite. He works_ on and about the wharf, and his name is Jemmy. He is sagacious, “ nimble as a cat,” and gentle withal The way he can dodge trucks in and out of the wharf is something wonderful. Re is np to every movement, knows his work, in fact, as well as a man—a good deal better than some men. The latest instance of his cleverness, one might almost say possession of reasoning power, as relat-d to us borders on the marvellous. A siding extends from the main line into the New Zealand Loan Company’s store. Inside the building the rails have a pla.fonu on each side about 3ft.. high. Tire space between the rails and platform on either side is barely sufficient for a man to stand in when a trunk is passing. A curve in the line prevents anyone at the far end of the building from seeing any obstruction at the entrance. On the occasion in question Jemmy was at the far end hitched to a truck that.was about being removed. Just then the railway hands or storemen had run a truck in at the front of the store. Jemmy, not seeing this, started his load, and, as the rails decline to the street at a somewhat rapid pace, when about midway ha saw the other truck advancing, Another second and he would have been doubled up and crushed between the two With lightning rapidity ke took in the situation and decided what to do. Turning his head he, with his teeth, pulled the check.rope connecting his harness v ’ith the truck, and then raising himself on his hind legs stepped off the track on to the space between it and the platform, on which, like a trained circns horse, he placed his forefeet In this position he was safe. In much less time than it has taken to describe it the trucks had collided, but not even a hair of Jemmy’s tail was touched. He remained in his unusual position until the line was cleared, and then went about his work as if nothing extraordinary had happened.