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

| the first clergyman who has eve
Joined US in our Sabbath evening en-
tertainments.'
IL sir! I joined your
.Ha, ha, ha! 0, you did it we'll
;. Your good deacons really think yor
were trying very hard to hold in YOU
horse; but I saw through it; | saw
1 how silly you put your horse up. But
l don't blame you for feeling proud o
old Morgan, for should feel so my
Iself if I owned him But you need
not fear; I will tell all who may ask
me about it, that you did your best to
stop your beast; for I would rather
Istretch the truth a little than have
such a good jockey as you are suf:
fer
j This had been spoken so loudly
that the deacons had heard every
word, and the poor parson was bewil.
dered; but he soon came to himself
and with flashing eye, he cried:
| Villains, what mean you? Why
do We 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 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 beat US all, we agreed among
ourselves that if you come 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, but you did it well. When
you want to try it again, just send
US word and we1l be ready for you.
Good-bye!'
AS the wretch thus spoke he turn
| ed his horse's head, and before the
astounded preacher could utter a
word, 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 joined in the race with
out some permission from his master?
They knew not how much he set by
the animal, and at length they shock
their heads with doubt.
Its very strange said one.
Very answered the second.
Remarkable suggested third.
'On my soul, BRETHREN spoke
Ridewell, 4 can't make it out
The brethren looked at each 9TH
er, and the deacons shook their heads
in a very solemn and impressive man
ner.
So the party rode back to the cler-
gyman's house, but none of the breth-
rem would enter, nor would they stop
at all. Before Monday had drawn to
a close, it was generally known that
parson Ridewel 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, Pompey found out how matters
stood, and he assured his master that
he would clear the matter up; and
after a days search, he discovered
the astounding fact that some Of
these wicked men had been in the
habit Of stealing Old Morgan from
the pasture and racing him on Sabbath
afternoons! Pomp found out this
much-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 circumstances high met
led horse would be very apt to rur
away with his rider when he found
himself directly upon the track.
So parson Ridewen was cleared, but
| it was long while before he got over
the blow, for many were the wicked
wags who delighted to poster him by
offering to aride race with him to
bet on his head or to put him, a
gainst the world on race Bui
Ridewell grew old, his heart grew
warmer, and finally he could laugh
with right good will when he spoke O
his unexpected race. Be sure there
was no more Sabbath racing in thai
town. 80
A man named Henry Lee, died il
the Rhode Island State prison las
week. Twenty-Five years of his lifi
had been spent in that and sinila