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Most of the so-called coachmen in this country have been merely strappers in their stables at home. and, having launched themselves in a strange land under the sobriquet of "coachmen," have readily found places in the service of employers who were not over-well informed, and often at wages which none but experienced men should command.

A head coachman becomes such after years of hard training under a master (either professional or amateur) «-ho is thoroughly posted, and then only when he possesses a suitable temperament, hands, receptive faculties, application, and appearance, together with the ability to manage men and the edrncation necessary to the keeping of his accounts, etc. While, of course, those needing a servant so well qualified as a head coachman should be are not numerous, they are sufficiently so to warrant a sketch of some of the training which such a man must undergo.

Beginning in his boyhood as exerciser, and later as a breaker of colts to saddle, lie goes through a hard and somewhat rough school, his instructor probably being considerable of a martinet. Then, selected from among several others of his kind, lie is advanced to the harness stable, where for some time lie is made generally useful and is familiarized with the minor details of stable duties : lie is taught how to walk smartly, and not with the slouchy step of the plowboy.

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