The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1857-10-28

His next object was to borrow 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 a
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 with.
! draw. =. ssr.a .s,,r5 s5es;
"Not, by, darned sight," exclaimed
he. DO you think, I'm such a iarned
/ fool as to pay two hundred dollars aud
then Withdraw, and not run a,ter all?"
Others who wanted to see the sport,
though it would cost some broken bones
encouraged; bin to, proceed, saying, as
they laughed aloud, they had no doubt
but he would carry off the purse.
"That's what I mean to do," said he;
''ain't come: here for nothing. I 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 snoezin when
there, is money at stake lind III
| The horse, as if he understood what his
master was saying, pricked up his ears and
actsally began to show signs Of life. .,-,v
| The signal was given to start. Away
sprang Southern with the speed OF
lightning, and leaving Sleepy David far
in the rear and the peddler ,verging from
! one side to the. other, as if he was just
ready to fall off ,naa aieis
/ But they improved as they proceeded;
the peddler sat more jockey like, and the
horse evidently gained upon the Others,
1 1t was now thought the Yankee had
enough of the race, and would withdraw
before the heat. Contrary to all expec.a-
ton, however. he persevered, and offered
to bet thousand dollars on the issue o.
II the race. .oqash.ysag ,agidasaa ellj lo Nsga
i .srhel fellow'sa fool,n said one. Fza
Il s.He don't know which side of his
| bread is bnptered, or else be wouldn't be-
any money on so'desperate stake.'
! .sHeis safe enough there, said third
4 "for he has no more to risk"
Il Here, however, all were mistaken again
flor the ;peddler hauled out greasy oil,
pocket book, and planked the thousant
dollars. It'was covered, of course Blu
:, confess / now began to be staggered
and to suspect the Yankee, was, after all
more rogue than fool. 1 had no fears
I however, for the purse, Southern" wa
not horse to be distanced by such q mis-
i erable devil as Sleepy Dayid. a4.
The second heat was now commenced
: : and if ! had before felt confident in tn
! eutire superiority of my noble Southern
that confidence was strengthened as | agai
] saw him coming in ahead of the rest.
? considered the purse as now my own prop
! i! erty. In Imagination I had grasped
! and was about putting it safely in my pocl
: ct, when, 10! and behold! the peddler
horse iosforward as if the devil had kicl
! !, ed him. and, stretching his neck like
crane, won the heat by a head. 5a.
4 Everybody was astonished. 18th.
! hofse1nust be the devil himself said on
) At leasthe has the devil to back him
4 said another.ss.ssrs3 -aaaa st5.lsfaS.,s)
d II was sure he would play some Yank'
% trick before he got through" said thir
i Such were the observations that passs
"a from mouth to mouth. fart@,s,f
Yankee, in the mean time, Offer
,y to take another thousand dollar bet, b
nobodyfeh disposed to bet with him. al
/; it was well that they didn't.- for at the thi
to heat Sleepy David not only distance
lp every horse, but even Southern himse
= There, by gauley,' said the Yankee,
ne he dismounted, al III take that ere lit
RI purse if you please, and the other CO
he thousand, tew! Iknowed well enough tn
in your Soptherp hosses couldn't hold q ca
! die tew old Sleepy David. ls easa
be .tLa---....,,..-l -.-.-3ayg