The Georgetown news., 1855-11-22

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a deacon.
Dreadful echoed a second deacon.
And so the conversation went on until
they reached the top of a gentle eminence
which overlooked the plain where the ra-
cling was carried on, and where some dozen
hOrsemen, with q score of lookers-on, were
assembled. The sight was one that chilled
the good parson to his soul. He remained
motionleSS until he had made out the whole
alarming truth; then turning to his eompan-
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 Gods
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 p for it was indeed portion of his
own farm.
As the good clergyman thus spoke he
started on towards the scene. The horses
were drawing up for a start as the minister
| approached, and some of the riders at 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
heard, children of sin and shame"
"Come on, old hos,' cried one of the
jockies, turning towards the minister. "If
you are in for the first race you must stir
your stumps."
"Alas 0 my wicked"
"All ready" shouted he who led the af-
fair, cutting the minister short, and the
word for starting was given.
Old Morgan knew that word too well,
for no sooner did it fall upon his ears, than
he stuck out his nose, and with Que wild
snort he started, and the rest Of the racers,
twelve in number, kept him company.
"Who-o-o-h-o-o! who-o-o!" yelled the cler-
gyman, 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 petriied deacons were
standing with eyes and mouth wide open.
"Dont STOP" shouted one Of the Judges
who now recognized ParsOn RideWell, and
suspected his business, and who knew the
secret of old Morgan's joining the race
"DOn't STOP" he shouted again; "its two
mile heat this time. Keep right on, par
son. 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 of. The poor parsOn did his ut
most 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 accord. There was a hurried
whispering among the jockeys, and sue
cession Of very curious Winks and knowing
mods seemed to indicate that they under
stood
upon my soul, parson," said one of
them, approaching the spot where the min
lister still sat in his saddle, he having not
yet sufficiently recovered his presence of
mind to dismount, "yOu ride well, parson.
We had not looked for this honor"
"HOnor, sirr' gasped Ridewell, 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"
| II, SIT JOllleu YOU!
"Ha! ha ha! Oh, you did it we'll
Your good deacons really think you were
trying 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 l 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 little than have such jockey as
you suffer" This had been spoken so loud
ly that the deacons had heard every word,
and the poor parson was bewildered; but he
came to himself, and with a flashing eye he
, cried:
Villains, what 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 q
moment, parson; we are all willing to allow
you to carry off the palm, but we won't 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 well.
When you want to try it again, just send
us word and we'll 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 master? They knew how much he
valued the animal; and at length they shook
! their heads with doubt.
'It's very strange" said one.