Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-03-20
NGW s!EagHs Vol. I&-N0. esT1.

also he was accommodated; and taking Sleepy
David from the tin cart, he scrambled upon bis
back, and took his station on the course. You
never saw fellow sit on horse so awkardly in
all your life. Every body said he would fall be-
fore he had gone hundred yards; and some, out
of compassion, urged him to withdraw.
"Not BY darned sight, exclaimed he
/" Why, do you think I'm such tarnal fool as
to pay two hundred dollars, aud then not to run
arter alli"
Others. who wanted to see the sport, though it
should cost some broken bones. encouraged him
to pruceed-saying. as they laughed aloud, that
thew had no doubt but he would carry of the
purse.
THAT'S what | mean to do" said he"
baiut come here for nothing, | can tell YOU -
Wake up. Sleepy David, and look about you;
you must have your eyes open to-day: ITS no time
to be snoozin when there's money at stake"
The horse, as if he understood what his master
was saying, opened his eyes, pricked up his ears
and actually showed some signs Of LIE.
The signal was now given to start. Away
sprang Southron, with the speed Of lightning. and
away sprang the other Southern horses. leaving
Sleepy David far in the and the peddler verg.
ing from side to side. as if he was ready to fall
off. The horse went paving along with his tail
cllngng close to his launches. and his nose stuck
out straight before him; and you never beheid SO
queer figure cut by any man and horse as this
singular pair made.
But they improved as they proceeded; the ped.
dler sat jockey like, and the horse evidently
gained upon the others But it would not do
He came in at least half mile behind Southron.
aud little less behind the Others.
II was now thought the Yankee had got enough
of the race, and would withdraw before the next
heat Contrary to all expectation, however, he
persey Fred; and even offered to bet thousand
dollars on the issue OF the race.
"The fellows fool" said one.
! "He don't know which side his bread is but
tered" said another, cor else he wouldn't risk
any more money on 50 desperate stake"
! Hes safe enough there" said third, "for
! he has NJ more 10 risk"
Here, however,ever body was mistaken again,
for the pe..dIer hauled out an old greasy pocket
! book and panked the thousand dollars. 1t was
cove red Of course. But confess now began
to be staggered; and to suspect the yankee was,
after all, more knave than fool. | had no tears,
however, for the purse. Southron was not
horse to be distanced in one day, and especial
" by such miserable looking devil as Sleepy
! David.
ne second neat vas Ho" SUhiihcHSeu' al" "
! [ had before felt confident IN the entire SUPER.
orlty of my noble horse SUuhrun, that confidence
was strengthened. as | again saw him comm IN
rad Tie Of rest considered tie purse no" o.
my own property. In imagination l had sras'
pd it, snd was about putting 1t safely IN my
pocket, when-Io and behuId! the peddler's
horse, which vas behind all the rest. suddenly
shot forward as if the devil kicked HIM on end;
and, stretching his neck like crane, won the
heat by head.
Every body was astoui.hed 6 That horse
must be the devil himself" said one. AT
least, he has the devil 10 back him." said thlid;
81 was sure he would play you some Yankee
trick befnre he had got through" Such were
the observ atoms that passed from mouth TO mouth.
The Yankee, in the mean uar, offered 10
plank another thousand dollars; but nobody
would take the bet. Ard il was "elihey didn't;
for at the third, Sleepy David not only d'sfaneed
every horse, hit even came IN full quarter OF
mile ahead of Southron himself
"There, by gsuy! said the Yankee as ne re
dismounte,. -. Iii take that are leet'e purse u
YOU please, and the tother cool thousand! l
knew wet; enough that your Southern horses
couldn't hold candle to Sleepy Dauid''