Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1856-02-07

the stable. The. order was obeye,
: though not without many misgiying
} on the part Of the faithful negro. A
| soon as the afternoon services wer
Z closed, the two deacons and some 9th
) ers of the members of the church ac
, companied the minister home, wit
their horses.
1T is the most flagrant piece 0
abomination that ever came to ny
knowledge, said the indignant clergy
man, as they rode on.
1T is most assuredly, answered on,
Of the deacons.
'Horse-racing on the Sabbath ut
tered the minister
I Dreadful eched the second dea
con.
And so the conversation went OF
until they reached the topo a gentle
eminence which overlooked the plair
where the racing was carried on, and
where some dozen horsemen with {
score of lookers-on were assembled
The sight was one which chilled the
good parson to his soul. He remain.
ed motionless until he made out the
whole alarming truth, then turning te
his companions:
Now, my brothers, said he, 4et us
ride down and confront the wicked
wretches, and if they will down upon
their knees and implore Gods mercy
and promise to do so no more, we will
not take legal action against them
O, that my own land should be desc
Grated thus!' for it was indeed a sec
ton Of his own farm.
As the good clergyman thus spoke
he started on towards the scene
The horses of the wicked men were
just drawing up for start as the min
lister approached, some of the riders
who at once recognized 'old Morgan,
did not recognize the reverend indi-
vidual who rode him.
wicked menr commenced the par
son, as he came near enough for his
voice to be heard, children of sin and
shame
Come on, old horse, cried one Of
the Jockeys, turning toward the min
lister. IF you are in for the first race
you must stir your stumps. Now we
go $,
Alas! O, my wicked
sAll ready shouted he who led in
the affair, cutting the minister short,
l-"AND OFF IT Isl
And the word for starting was CIV
en-. Old Morgan knew that word too
well, for no 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.
sWho.ho-ho-o-o! who-ao-a, yelled
the clergyman, tugging at the reins
with all his might.
But it was of no avail. Old Nor
gan had now reached ahead of all
competitors, and he came up to the
Judges stand three rods ahead, where
the petrifed deacons were standing,
with eyes and mouth wide open.
Don't STOP shouted one of the
wicked Judges, who now recognized
Parson Ridewell, and suspected his
business, and who also saw at once
into the secret of old Morgan's joining
/ the race. Don't STOP he shouted
again; its two mile heat this time
Keep right on, parson. You are good
for another mile. Now you go-and
OFF IT Is.'
These last words were Of course
known to the horse, and no sooner die
/ Morgan hear them than he stuck biz
nose out again, and again started of
The parson did his utmost to stoI
the -bewitched animal, but it oould
not be done. The more he strug.
gled and yelled the faster the animal
went, and ere many moments he was
again at the starting point, where
Morgan stopped Of his own accord
There was hurried whispering a
mongthe wicked ones, and asuccessioI
of very curious winks and mods Seem
ed to indicate that they understood
Upon my soul, parson,' said th'
leader of the abomination. approach
ing the spot where the minister sat il
his saddle, he having not yet sufficient
! liz recovered his presence of mind t
|, dismount, you ride well. We had no
looked for this honor
Honor, sir gasped Ridewell
. looking blankly into the speaker
, face. S s;