Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1855-12-26
"All readyp shouted he who led the
affair, cutting the minister short. And off

4
sooner did it fall upon his ears than he stuck
out his nose, and with one wild snort he
started, and the rest OF the racers, twelve in
number, kept him company.
Who.ho-ho 7" yelled the 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 petriied deacous were
standing with mouth and eyes wide open.
"Don't STOP" shouted one of the wicked
judges who now recognized parson Ridewell,
aud suspected his business, who also saw
into the secret of old Morgan's joining the
race. "Don't STOP" he shouted again; it's
two mile heat this time. Keep right on
parsnn. You are good for another mile.
Now you go-and off it is"
These last words were of course known
10 the horse, and no sooner did Morgan hear
them than he stuck out his nose again, and
again started of. 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 star.
ting point, where Morgan now stopped Of
his own accord. There wos q hurried whis.
pering among the wicked ones, and success
sion OF very curious winks and knowing mods
seemed to indicate that they understood the
matter.
"Upon my soul. parson," said the leader
of the abomination, approaching the spot
where the minister still sat in his saddle, he
having not yet sufficiently recovered his pre-
sence Of mind 10 disnount, you ride well.
We had not looked for this honor
"Honor, sir" gasped Ridewell, looking
blankly into the speakers face.
"Ay-for It's an honor You are the
first clergyman that has ever joined US in
our Sabbath evening entertainments"
"I-f, sir! Joined you!"
cha, ha, ha! Oh, you did it well. 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 should feel so
myself if | owned him. But you need not
fear; will tell all who may ask Inc about
it, that you did your best to stop the beast;
for would rather stretch the truth little
than have. such Jockey as you suffer-" :
This had been spoken SO loudly that tho
deacons heard every word, and the poor par.
son was bewldcred: but he came to him.
sell, and with a flashing eye, he cried:
"Eilliaus, what mean You! Why do
Z" Hold ou,' interrupted one Of the party,
as the rest Of the racing men had all noun.
ted their horses, hold on a moment. par
son, we are 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 tina! if you came we
would let you in. We have done so, and
you have won the race in two mile heat.
Now let that satisfy you. BY hoky, you
did it well. When you want 10 try again,
just send us word and we'll be ready for
you. Good byc!"
As the wretch thus spoke, he turned his
horses head, and before word could be
uttered by the astounded preacher, the whole
party 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 join.
ed in the race without some permission from
his master. They knew how he set by the
animal, and at length they shook their heads
with doubt.
It's very strange" said one.
avery" answered the second.
Remarkable" suggested third.
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 close, it was generally known
that parson Rdewell raced his horse on the
Sabbath, and meeting of the church was
appointed for Thursday.
Poor Ridewell was almost crazy with
vexation; but before Thursday came, Pom.
pey found out how matters stood, and he
| assured his master that he could clear the
matter up; and after days search he dis
covered the astounding fact that some OF
those wicked men had been in the habit OF
stealing old Morgan from the pasture and
racing him on Sabbath afternoons! Pompey
found out this-but he could not find out
who did it!
As soon as this became known to the
church, the members conferred together, and
they soon concluded that under such circum'
stances big mettled horse would be apt to
run away with his rider when he found him.
self directly upon the track.
So parson Ridewell was cleared, but il
was long while before lie got over the
blow, for many were the wicked wags who
delighted to hector him by offering to ride
race with him, to bet on his head, or to put
him against the world on race. But Ride
well grew older, his heart grew warmer, and
finally he could laugh with right good vii
when he spoke of his unexpected race.
~ HEARING man complain that polit
cal papers of all kinds had become suct
liars, that for his part, he did not believe any
of them, reminds me of the old story of the
miller and three sons. Coming into the mill
and finding grist in the hopper, the ole
man cried out:
"Tom have you tolled this grist?'
eyes sir."
"Bill have you tolled this grists"
Yes sir"
"Sam have you tolled this grists"
; eyes sir"
"You are all pack Of lying scoundrels,