Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1855-11-15
"Horse-racins on the Sabbath" uttered a

Whlch overlooked the PLAIN where the racing
was carried or, and where some dozen horse.
men, With score of locker on, were as.
sembled. The sight was one that chilled the
good parson to his soul. He remained mo.
tionless until he had made out the whole
alarming truth; then turning to his compan-
IONS he said.
"Now, my brothers, let us ride down and
confront the wicked wretches, and if they
will down on their knees and implore G DDS
mercy, and promise to do SO no more, we will
not take legal action against them. Oh that
my own land should be desecrated thus''--
for it was indeed portion of his own farm.
AS the good clergyman thus spoke he star
ted on towards the scene. The horses were
drawn up for start as the minister approach
ed, and some of the riders ut once recognized
'Old Morgan though they did not recognize
the individual who rode him.
wicked men!" commenced the parson, as
he came near enough for his voice to be
he ard, "chldren Of sin and shame"
"Come on, old hos" cried one of the jock
les, turning towards the minister. "If you
are in for the first race you must stir your
stumps."
"Alas! o, my wicked"
Gall ready" shouted he who led the af-
fair, cutting the minister short, and the word
fer starting was given.
Old morgun knew that word too we'll, for
no sooner did it fall upon hs ears, than he
stuck out his nose, and with one wild snort
he started, and the rest Of the racers, twelve
in oumber, kept him company.
"Who-o-o.h-o.o o! who-o-o!" yelled the cler-
gyman, tuggin at the reins with all his might.
But it was of no avail. Old Morgan had
now reached ahead Of all his competitors, and
he came up to the judges stand three rods
ahead, where the petrifed deacons were STAN
ding with eyes and mouth wide open.
Don't STOP" shouted one of the judges,
who now recognized Parson Ridewell, and
suspected his business, and who knew the
secret of Old Morgsn's joining the race
"Don't stop" he shouted again; "it's a two
mile heat this time. Keep right on, rarson.
You're good for smother mile. Now you go
and off it is"
These last words were of course known to
the horse, and no sooner did Morgan hear
them than he stuck his nose out and again
started off. The poor parson did his utmost
to stop the bewitched animal, but it could not
be done. The more he struggled and yelled
the faster the animal went, and ere many
moments he was again at the starting point,
where Morgan now stopped of his own &C.
cord. There was a hurried whispering a.
mong the Jockeys, and a succession of very
curious winks and knowing mods seemed to
indicate that they understood.
"Upen my soul, parson," said one of them,
approaching the spot where the minister still
sat in his saddle, he having not yet sufficient
y recovered his presence oil mind to dis
mount, "you ride WE'LL parson. We had not
looked for this honor"
"Honor, sir!" gasped Ridewell, looking in
to the speakers face.
"Aye-for it is an honor. You are the
first clergyman that has ev er joined us in our
Sabbath evening entertainments"
"I--I, sir! Ijoned you!"
"Ha! ha! ha! Oh, you did it well. Your
good deacons really think you we're trying
very hard to hold in your horse, but saw
through it saw how siyy you put your
horse up. But don't blame you for feel
ing proud of Old Morgan, for | should feel
so myselfEif owned him. But you need
not fear; will tell all who ask me about
it, that you did your best TO stop your beast
for | would rather stretch the truth little
than have such jockey as you suffer"
This had been spoken go loudly that the
deacons had heard every word and the poor
parSOn was DeWiutIeuj put NO Soh'O w hi"'7
self, and with ashrg eye he cried
"Villains wha. mean you! why do you
thus!"
Hold on" interrupted one of the party
and as he spoke the rest of the racing men
had all mounted their horses; "hold on
moment parson; we are all willing to allow
you TO carry off the palm, bu, we won'
stand your abuse. When we heard thai
you had determined to try if your hors'
would no, beat US all, we agree among our
selves that if you came we would let yo'
in. We have done so, and you have woi
the -ace in a two mile heat. Now let tina
satisfy you. By the hockey. you did it well
When you want to try it again. just sem
as word and we'll be ready for you.
+. As the jockey thus spoke, no turned hi
r horses head, and before the astounds
preacher could utter a word, the whol