Horse Gets Shoe Repaired

1910

Animal Leaves Barn, Goes to Blacksmith and Returns Without Owner's Knowledge

NEW YORK. — "Old Joe," if he is blind in one eye and weak in the other, possesses plenty of real horse sense. For years he has hauled an express wagon over a fixed route, his only side trips being to Carroll, the horseshoer, in Christopher street, between Washington and West streets.

The other morning Joe was left in the stable because his right forefoot shoe needed fixing, and Dan Barry, Joe's driver, had no time to take him around to Carroll's before business hours.

"Half an hour later Joe stopped in front of the Carroll blacksmith shop. "Ain't that Barry's horse?" asked Carroll of his assistant. "It sure is. Must have run away," was the reply. "Run away nothin'," said Carroll. "That horse never runs away."

Joe raised his right forehoof as if it hurt him. Carroll looked it over. "That hoof's all right. Only needs a new shoe," was the mental note of Carroll. The new shoe was fitted. Next thing Carroll knew Joe was trotting away.

"Well, what d' you think of that?" exclaimed Barry, when he came back and found a new shoe glistening on Joe's foot in his stall. "He went and got himself shod, and I'll bet he told Carroll in good horse talk to have it charged."