Volcano weekly ledger., 1855-12-01

clergyman, tugging at the reins with all his
might.
But it was Of no avail Old Morgan had
now reached ahead Of all competitors. and he
came up to the judges stand three rods ahead,
where the petriiied deacons were standing with
eyes and mouth wide open.
Don't stop" shouted one of the Judges
who now recognized Parson Ridewel, and
suspected his business, and who knew the Sc
cret of old Morgan's joining the race. Don't
stop" he shouted again "it's two mile heat
this time Keep right on, parson. You're
good for another 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 bewtched animal, but it could not
be done. The more he struggled, tugged
aud yelled, the faster the animal went, and
ere many moments he was again at the start
ing point, where Morgan now stopped of his
own dtord. There was hurried whispering
among the jockeys, and succession Of very
curious winks and knowing mods seemed to
indicate that they understood
Upon my soul, parson said one of them,
approaching the spot where the minister still
sat in his saddle, he having not yet sufficient
ly recovered his presence of mind to dismount,
" You ride well, parson. We had not looked
for this honor"
Honor, sir y gasped Ridewcll, looking
into the speakers face.
Aye-for it is an honor You are the
first clergyman that has ever joined US in our
Sabbath evening entertainments"
" |, sir ? joined your,
Ha! ha! ha! Oh, you did it well.-
Your good deacens really think you were try
ing very hard to hold in your horse, but |
saw through it. | saw how slyly you put
your horse up. But don't blame you for
feeling proud of old Morgan, for should feel
so myself if | owned him But you need
not fear; | will tell all who may ask me
about it, that you did your best to stop your
beast, for | would rather stretch the truth a
little than have such a jockey as you suffer"
This had been spoken so loudly that the dea-
cons had heard every word, and the poor
parson was bewildered; but he came to him
self, and with flashing eye he cried:
VlLlains, what mean your 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 a
moment, parson; we are all willing to allow
you to carry off the palm, but we won't
stand your abuse. When we heard that you
had determined to try if your horse would
not beat us all, we agreed among ourselves
that if you came we would let you in. We
have done so, and you have won the race in
a two mile heat Now let that satisfy you
BY the hokey, you did it we'll When you
want to try it again, just send us word and
well be ready for you Good bye"
As the jockey thus spoke, he turned his
horses head, and before the astounded
preacher could utter word, the whole par
ty had ridden away out of hearing. 1t was
some time before one of the churchmen could
speak They knew not what to say. Why
should their minister's horse have joined in
the race without some permission from his
masterg They knew how much he valued the
animal; and at length they shook their heads
with doubt
4" It's very strange" said one.
"Very," answered the second.
Remarkably suggested the third
:" On my soul, brethren" spoke Ridewell,
can't make it out"
The brethren looked at each other, and the
deacons shook their heads in a very solemn
and impressive manner.
SO the party rode back to the clergyman's
house, but none of the brethren would enter,
nor would they stop at all. Before Monday
had drawn to a close, it was generally known
that Parson Ridewell raced his horse on he
Sabbath, and a meeting of the church was
appointed on Thursday.
Poor Ridewell was almost crazy with vex-
alton. But before Thursday came, Pompey
found out how matters stood, and he assured
his master that he could clear the matter
up, and after a days search he discovered
the astounding fact that some of those
wicked men had been in the habit of steal
ing old Morgan from the pasture and racing
him on Sabbath afternoon Pompey, found
out this much-but could not find out Dho
did IL!
As soon as this became known to the church
the members conferred together, and they
soon concluded that under such cireumstan-
ces high metted horse, would be apt to run
away with his rider when he found himself
directly upon the track.
So parson Ridewell was cleared, but it
was a long while before he got over the
blow, for many were the wicked wags who
delighted to hector him by offering to ride
a race" with him, to bet on his head" to
put him against the world" on race
But as Ridewell grew older his heart grew
warmer, and finally be could laugh with right
good will when he spoke of his unexpected
race.