SNOWBALL

    Assistant Chief O'Donnell wanted him turned out to pasture.  Instead, Snowball, a veteran firehorse of many a wild race through the city streets pulling a steamer, was loaned to the Park Department for hauling a lawn-mower.
    Near the station houses of Engine 21 and Engine 22, a gardener was cutting lawns at South Park when there was a shriek of sirens and a clang of bells.  Snowball pricked up his snow-white ears expectantly.  The clangor approached from two directions.  They raced by each side of the park with their snorting engines.  Not a horse in sight.  Nothing but thundering exhaust, bells and sirens.
    "He stood stock still for a second," said the gardener with his thick Irish brogue, "then his proud auld head dropped and he wouldn't pull the devil a bit more that day.  An the next marnin when aye went to hitch him up again, there the poor baste lay dead as a nit--rest his sowl, if he had one!   Sure and aye think his heart was broke."
    The following was transmitted to the office of the Fire Commission: "Firehorse #129, loaned to the Park Department May 9, 1918 died at South Park January 20, 1919."
    Yes, with honor and distinction.