Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-10-21

as it afterwards turned out the Yankee had plenty
OF money about him, and was merely playing "pos-
sum- all the while.
His next was toborrow a saddle. In this he was
also accommodated; and taking Sleepy David from
the tin cart, he scrambled upon his back and took
his station on the course. You never saw fellow
sit on horse so awkward in your life Every one
said he would fall before he had gone hundred
yards-and some out of compassion urged him to
withdraw
"Not by darned sight," exclaimed he ''Do you
think I'm such darned fool as to pay two hundred
dollars and then withdraw and not run arer all ~
Others, who wanted to the sport though it
would cost some broken bones encouraged him to
proceed, saying as they laughed aloud, they had no
doubt but he would carry off the purse
"That's what mean to do" said he, ''ain't come
here for nothing can tell you. Wake up Sleepy
David and look about you; you must have your
eyes open to-day it's no time to be snoozen' when
there's money at stake"
The horse, as if he understood what his master
was saying, pricked up his ears, and actually began
to show signs of life.
The signal was given to start Away sprang
Southern, with the speed of lightning, and leaving
Sleepy David far in the and the pedlar verging
from side to the other, if he just ready to
| fall off
| But they improved as they proceeded; the pedlar
sat more jocky-lke, and the horse evidently gained
| upon the others.
| 1t was now thought the Yankee had enough of the
! race, and would withdraw before the next heat
Contrary to all expectation, however, he persevered;
and offered to bet thousand dollars on the issue Of
| the race
1.-THE fellows fool" said one.
"He don't know which side of his bread is but
tered, else he wouldn't risk any money so des-
perate a stake"
"He is safe enough there" said a third, for he
has more to risk"
Here, howevr, all were mistaken again, for the
pedlar hauled out greasy old pocket-bOok and
| planked the thousand dollars. 1t was covered of
course. But confess now began to be staggered,
and to suspect the Yankee after all more rogue
than fool l had no fears, however, for the purse
Southern not horse to be diStanced by such a
miserable devil as Sleepy David.
The second heat was now commenced and if had
before felt confident in the entire superiority Of my
noble Southern, that confidence strengthened as
again him coming in ahead of the rest. / con-
sidered the purse as now my own property. In i'm
agination, had grasped it and was about putting
it safely in my pocket, when 10 and behold the
pedars horse shot forward as if the devil had kick
ed him. and stretching his neck like cIane, won
the heat by head
Every body was astonished. ''That horse must
be the devil himself" said one. At least he has
the devil to back him, said another. IL was sure
he would play some Yankee trick before he got
through, said third. Such were the observations
that passed from mouth to mouth.
The Yankee, in the meantime, offered to take
other thousand dollar bet nobody felt disposed to
bet with him. and it well that they didn't for at
the third heat Sleepy David not only disanced every
horse but came in full quarter of mile ahead
of Southern himself
"There, by gauly," said the Yankee as he dis
mounted, "Il take that ere little purse, you please
and the other cool tn ousand, tew! I knowed we'll
enough that your Southern hosses couldn't hold a
candle tew old Sleepy David"