Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1866-10-05

Captain Scott.

lished by the Harpers, lhesauthor gives
the following sketch Of Captain Scott, the
hero of the well known coon story;
Like other boys, young Scott was
very frnd of visiting places of amusement,
such as horse races, trainings, town meet
ings, etc, and he was sometimes selected
to ride races by the sporting fraternity of
that section.
In those days (before the time of horse
fairs) horse racing was looked upon by
the New Englanders as most immoral
and pernicious practice and young Scot
was never allowed to make his appearance
at such places with his fathers consent.
Upon one occasion an unknown horse
was brought 10 Bennington by some sports
men, who offered large wagers upon his
running against any other horse that could
be produced. Now a certain Deacon B
---of that place was owner of several
fine horses, and among them was one that
was considered very feet; but those dis
posed to contest the wager so confidential
ly offered on the strange horse were per-
fectly well aware that Presbyterian
deacon would not openly sanction and give
countenance to such diabclical immortality );
yet those who knew him well verify be-
lieved if there were any one trait in the
in the deacon's character that was not in
strict accordance with the requirements of
the church and with the sanctity Of his
ecclesiastical functions. it was the weak
ness he manifested for owning the feetest
horse in the country.
The men proposing to take up the
guantlet SO de6antly thrown out by the
hackers of the new horse entered the dea-
} cons favorite horse for the race, but with
! the express stipulation that the race should
come off in the night time, and should be
hoP. t,-vf0s...i -~ssot, except TO those d.
rectly interested. The terms having been
satisfactorily arranged, Martin Scott was
selected as the jockey for the deacon's
horse; and Oh the night designated for
the contest, he stole very quietly into the
stable, and mufling the horses feet led
him out and took him to the race track.
The judges were then posted, the riders
mounted, and the horses were off. Itw was
a single straight dash of mile, and both
horses were put to their speed, and kept
constantly down to their work from the
word 60" But, as they approached the
" coming-out" place, the strange horse
began 10 gain upon his antagonist, and at
this moment Of interest and excitement to
all parties concerned, it looked as if the
deacon's horse was to be beaten, when
suddenly from behind a board ferce near
the track jumped up Deacon B-him-
self, who, in very loud and excited man.
ner, screamed out, g Put the whip to him,
Martin put the whip to him, tell you p
Martin was perfectly astounded and al
most paralyzed at this unexpected app ar-
! tion, but with nervous desperation, he
) made several vigorous and well-timed ap-
plications of his whip, which caused the
horse to redouble his efforts and win the
race ty half length, at which the deacon,
in The excitement Of the moment, took off
his hat and gave a lusty cheer but, in
E stantly afterwards recollecting himself, and
considering the ludicrous role he had been
enaeting in this somewhat farcical perfor-
nance, he assumed an indignant air, ami
approaching Martin, who was holding The
horse in great tr, pidation, said Martin
Scott, you young reprobAte, you have sio-
! len my horse, sir, aud, unless you instant.
ie ly lead him back TO the stable, and give
l' him good rubbing down, I'll report you
$, to your father, sir
q When young Scott arrived al the age
is Of sixteen lie fell in love with young
lady in neighboring village, and received
IT her permission to pay his addresses; but
his filher's opinions upon the subject be.
N spitlthtisit euStClC anu ulu
5 not accord with his own, and compelled
is him to conduct his courship in a clandes.
tine manner lie was in the habit o.
waiting until his father went TO bed, wher
e he would take horse from the stable
e. pay a visit to his lady love, and returr
: home before daylight. After one of tn,
IS weekly visits, he had just put his hors'
into the stable, and had made some littl'
noise in doing so, which awakened hi
ar father, who ran out toward the stable
thinking that some person was attempting
= to steal his horse. Martin saw him ap
preaching, and, unable 10 elude his obser
a. a. walton, ran into loft, with the old MAJ
close upon his heels.
1t was dark at the time, and he hid him