Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1857-09-09
sImK1Ns, DURIsoE & CO., Proprietors.

had plenty of money about him, and was mere
" playing possum" all the while
His next object was to borrow saddle. In
this he was also accommodated and taking
Sleepy David from the the tin cart, he scram-
bled upon his back and took his station on the
course You never saw 4 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 a darned sight," exclaimed he. "Do
you think Pm such q darned fool as to pay two
hundred dollars and then withdraw and not run
arter all 2"
Others, who wanted to see the sport though
it would cost some broken bones, encouraged
him to proceed saying as they laughed aloud,
they had 10 doubt but he would carry off the
purse.
"That's what mean to do,n 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
snoozin' when there's money at stake"
The horse as if he understood what his master
was saying, prcked up his cars, and actually
| began to show signs of life.
The signal was given to start Away sprang
Southern, with the speed of lightning and leav-
| ing Sleepy David far in the rear and the pedlar
| verging from one side to the other, as If he was
just ready to fall off.
But they improved as they proceeded; the
pedlar sat more jocky-like, and the horse evil
| IDENTIFY 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, howeT-
er, he perscvered and offered to bet thousand
dollars on the issue of the race.
"The fellows fool" said one.
He don't know which side of his bread is
buttered, or else he wouldn't risk any money on
so desperate stake"
"Hc is safe enough there" said third, for
he has no more to risk.
Here, however. all were mistaken again, for
the pedlar hauled out greasy old pocket-book,
and plankcd the thousand dollars. 1t was cov-
cred of course. But confess l now began to
be staggered, and to suspect the Yankee was
after all more rogue than fool. l had no fears,
however, for the purse. Southern was not a
horse to bc dstanccd by such miserable devil
as Sleepy David.
The second heat was now commenced and II
| had before felt confident in the entire superb
! orty Of nv noble Southern, that confidence
was strengthened as again saw him coming in
anCaQ Ol Tic rest. i COlSiQercQ Tue puIac sls
now my own property. In imagination | had
grasped it and was about putting it saefly in my
pocket, when 10 and behold the pedlar's horse
Shot forward as it the devil had kicked him,
and stretching his neck like crane, won tic
heat by head!
Everybody was astonishcd. "That horse
must be the devil HIMSELF" said one. "At least
he has the devil to back him. said another.
was sure he would play sonlc Yankee trick be-
fore he got through" said 4 third. Such were
the observations that passed from mouth to
mouth.
The Yankee, in the meantime, offered to take
another thousand dollar bet; nobody felt dis
posed to bet with him, and it WAS well that
they didn't, for at the third heat Sleepy David
not oaly distanced every horse but even came
in full quarter Of mile ahead of Southern
himself.
There, by gauley," said the Yankee as he
lismountcd, "l'll take that ere little purse, il
you please, and the other cool thousand, tew
knowed we'll enough that your Southern hos,
ses couldn't hold candle tew old Sleepy David u