Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-01-12
winks and knowing nods seemed to indicate
that they understood.

winks and knowing mods seemed 10 Indicate
that they understood.
Upon my soul, parson," said the leader
of the abomlpstion, approaching the SPOT
where the minister still sat in the saddle, he
having not yet sufficiently recovered bis pres
ence Of mind TO dismouut, "ycu ride well.
We had not looked for this honor
Honor, cir :" gasped Ridewell, locking up
blankly into the speaker face.
"Ay-for tits an honor You are the frst
clergyman who has ever joined us in Orr Sab
bath evening entertainments.
III sir, joined your
"Ha, ha, ha! q, you did IL we'll Your
good deacons really think you tried to stop
your horse but / saw through it; / saw how
silly you put your horse mp But i don't
blame you for feeling proud of Old Morgan,
fer should feel so myself if L owned him.
But you need not fear; will tell all who may
ask me about it, that you did your best -
stop the beast; for 1 would rather stretch the
truth little tnan have such good jockey as
you are TO suffer ~
This hsd been spoken so loud that the des-
cons had heard every word, and the poor par
son was bewildercd but he soon came 20 him.
self, and with flashing eye, he cried:
Villains, what mean you? Why do ye
thus"
Hold on" interrupted one Of the party,
and as ne spoke, the rest of the racing men
ldQ ali luCiE uOIece, -uOlu on Mtu-
ute, parson We are willing to allow you to
carry of the palm, but We don't stand your
abuse When we heard that you had deter
mined to try If your horse would not beat Us
all, we agreed among ourselves that IL you
came we would let you in. We have done so,
and you have won the race in a twomile heat.
Now let that satisfy you. By the hokey, but
you did il well When you want TO try il
again just send US word, and woIl be ready
for you Good Bye
And as the wretch thus spoke, be turned
his horses head, anu before the astonished
preacher could utter word, the whole party
had ridden out Of hearing.
1t was some time before one Of the church
men could speak. They knew not what 70
say. Why should their minister's horse have
iolned in the race without some permission
from his master? They knew how much he
set by the animal, and at length they shook
their heads with doubt
" It's very strange" said one.
every" answered a second.
Remarkable suggested the third
"On my SOUL brethren" spoke RideueD.
(" can't make IL out
The brethren looked at escS other, and the
deacons shock their heads in very solemn
and impressive manner
So the party rode back to the clergyman's
house, but none of the brethren would enter,
nor would they stop at all Before Monday
had drawn to a close, it was generally known
that Prrson Ridewell raced his horse on the
Sabbath, and meeting Of the church was ap-
pointed for Thursday.
Poor Rideweil was almost crazy with veHa-
tion; but before Thursday came Pompey
found ont how matters stood, and he assured
his master that be would clear the matter up;
and after days search hefound the astound-
ing fact that some Of those wicked men had
been in the habit OF stealing Old Morgan from
the pasture and racing him on Sabbath after
noon! POmp found out this much-but he
could not find out who did it.
As soon as this became known 10 the church,
the members conferred together, and they
soon concluded that under such circumstances
a high melted horse would be very apt TO run
away with his rider when be found himself
directly on the track
So ParSon Ridewell was cleared, but il was
n long time before he got over the blow, for
many were the wicked wsgs who delighted to
poster him by offering 10 "ride race" But
Ridewell grew older, his heart warmer, and
finally he could laugh with right good will
when he spoke Of his unexpected race. Be
sure there was no more sabbath racing IN that
town.