FLASH.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 1006, 7 March 1883, Page 4

FLASH.

The Fireman’s Story.' Flash.was a white foot sorrel, ah’ run on . No 3 ; Not such stable manners—an average horse to see ; National in bis methods—strong in loves an’bates; Not ■ very much respected, or popular ’mongst bis mates ; Dull’an moody’an sleepy on “off” an’ quiet days ; . Full of turb’lent sour looks, an’ small sarcastic ways ; Scowled an’ bit at his partner, an’banged the stable floor— With other tricks intended to designate life a bore.. But when, be’t day or night time, he heard the alarm-bell ring, He’d rush for his place in the harness with a regular tiger spring ; An’ watch with nervous shivers the clasp ■ of buckle, an’ band, Until it was plainly evident he’d like to lend:a hand. . An’ when the word was given, away he :•••' would rush an’ tear, As if a thousand witches was rumplin’ up bis hair, ’ ! , An’ wake, his. mate; up crazy with his : magnetic charm; For every hoof-beat.. sounded a regular fire .'alarm I Never a horse a jockey would worship an’ admire Like Flash in front of his engine, a-racin with a fire ; Never a horse.sp lazy, so dawdlin’ and so slack As Flash upon jthe return trip, a drawin’ the engine back. . Now when the different horses gets " tender-footed and old, They ain’t no use in our business ; so Flash was finally sold , To quite a respectable, milkman.; who wound it not so fine ? A-bossin of God’s creatures outside o’ their reg’lar line. Seenis as if I could see Flash a-rnopin’ along here now, A-feelin’ that he was simply assistant to a cow; But sometimes he’d imagine he heard the alarm-bell’s din, • An’ jump an’ rear for a minute before . they could hold him in.; An’ once, in spite o’his master, he strolled in ’mongst us chaps, To talk with the other horses, of former fires, perhaps ; Whereat the milkman kicked him ; wherefores hoys to please, He begged that horse’s pardon upon his bended knees. But one day, for a. big fire as we was makin’ a' dash, Both o’ the horses we had on somewhat resemblin’Flash, _ Yeltin’ an’ ringin’ian’, rushin,; withexcellent voice an’ heart, We passed the poor old fellow.a-tuggin’ away at his cart. If .ever I see an old horse grow upwards ~.. .into,a new, - , 'i If ever J see a driver whose traps behind him flew, ’Twasthait old horse a-rompin’ an’rushin’ ,: ddwh the track, An’ that u respectable milkman a-tryin’ to . hold him back. Avfay ; hje■ dashed like a cyclone for the i head of Noi 3, • • Gained the lead an’ kept it, an’steered his journey free ; Dodgin’* the wheels an’ horses, an still on the keenest “ silk*” An’ furnishing all that district with good respectable milk. Crowds a-yellin’. an’ runnin’, an’ vainly hollerin’ “ Whoa!” • Milkman bracin’ an’ sawin’, with never a bit o’ show ; Firemen laughin’ and chucklin’, and hoi lerin’, “ Good I go in .!” •; : Hoss. a-gettin’ dpwn to it, an’ sweepin 'along like sin. Finally come where the fire was, halted with a “ thud,” Sent the respectable milkman heels over head in mud ; Watched, till; he sees the engine properly workin’ there — After which he relinquished all interest ' in the affair. Moped an’ wilted an’ dawdled —faded away once roore; : Took up his old occ’pation of votin’ life a • bore ; Laid down in his harness, and—-sorry I am to say— The milkman he'had drawn there drew • his dead body away. That’s the whole of my story; I’ve seen, more’n once or twice, That poor dumb animals’ actions are fall of human advice;, An* if you ’ ask what Flash taught, I . simple answer you, then, 1 - That poof old'horse was the symbol of : some intelligent men . ? Monthly Magazine. ■