The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1869-02-12
AN UNEXPECTED RACE.

County, Massachusetts, used to live cler-
gyman, whom we will call Rldewell. He
was of the Baptist persuasion, and very
rigid in his ideas of moral propriety. He
had in his employ an old negro named
Pompey, and if this latter individual was
not SO strict in his morals as his master, he
was at least very cunning dog, aud passed
in the reverend household for pattern Of
proprlety. Pompey was a useful servant,
and the old clergyman never hestated to
trust him with the most important buSl>
ness.
Now it so happened that there were,
dwelling in and about town. several indi
viduals who had not the fear of the dread
full penalties which Mr.. Ridcwel preach
ed about before their eyes, for it was the
wont OF these people to congregate on Sab
bath evenings upon level piece of land in
the outskirts of the town, and there race
horses TLis spot was hidden from view
by dense piece of woods, and for a long
while the Sunday evening races were carri-
ed on there without detection by the officers
orsothers who might have stopped them.
1t also happened that the good clergy
man owned one of the best horses in the
county. This horse was one of the Nor
gan stock, with mixture of the Arabian
blood in his veins, and it was generally
known that few beasts could pass him on
the road. Mr. Ridewel, with a dignity be,
coming bis calling, stouty declared that
the feetness of his horse never afforded
him any qualification, and that, for his own
part, he would as lief have any other Yet
money could not buy his Morgan, nor could
any amount OF argument persuade him to
sWaT.
The church was so near to the good cler-
gyman' 5 dwelling that he always walked 10
meeting, ami his horse was consequently al
loved to remain in the pasture.
Pompey discovered that these races were
Oh the tapls, and he resolved to enter his
masters horse on his own account, fol he
felt sure old Morgan could beat anything
IN the shape of horsefesh that could be
produced in that quarter. SO on the very
next Sunday evening, he hid the bride ur-
der his Jacket, went out into the pasture
and caught the horse, and then rode off to-
ward the spot where the wick ed ones were
congregated. Here he found some dozen
horses assembled, and the racing was about
to commence. Pompey mounted the beast
and at the signal started. Old Morgan en-
tered into the spirit OF the thing, and came
out two rods ahead Of every thing. So
Pompey won quite pile, and before dark
he was well initiated in horse racing.
Pompey succeeded in reaching home
without any suspicious, and he now longed
for the next Sabbath afternoon to come, for
he was to try it again. He did go again,
AMI again he won; and this course of wick
elness he kept up for two months, making
his appearance on the racIng>ground every
Sunday afternoon, as soon as ne could AT
ter meeting was out" And during this
time Pompey was not the only one who
had learned to love the racing. No, for
old Morgan himself had come to love the
excitement Of the thing, too, and his very
motion when upon the track 81 owed how
zeatous'y he entered into the spirit Of the
game.
But these things were not always to re.
main secret. One Sunday pious dea>
con heheid this racing from distance, and
straightway went to the parson with the
alarming intelligence. The Rev. Mr..
Ridowell was utterly shocked. His moral
feelings were outraged, and he resolved at
once to put top to the wckeduess.
During the week lie made many inquiries,
and he learned this thing had been prac
tic d all summer on every Sabbath alter
noon. He babe his Pensioners keep
quiet, and he told them that on the next
Sunday he would make his appearance on
the very spot, and catch them in their
very deeds of iniquity.
On the following Sabbath, after dinner,
Mr. Rdewell ordered Pompey to bring up
old Morgan and put him in the stable.
The order was obeyed, though not without
any mlSglving on the part of the faithful
negro. As soon as the afternoon services
were closed, tho two deacons, and some
others of the members of the church accom-
ranied the minister home, With their
horses.
1T is the most fagr~nt piece of abomin>
alton that ever came under my observa>
ton, said the indignant clergyman, as
they rode on.
1t is most assuredly,' answered one Of
the deacons.
'Horce racing On the Sabbath I uttered
the minister
Dreadful / echoed the second deacon.
And 50 the conversation went on until
they reached the top of gentle eminence
overlooking the plain where the racing was
carried on, and where some dozen horses and
men, with score of lockers on were as
semb'ei. The sight was one which
chilled the good parson to his SOUL lie
remained motionless until he had made
olt the whole alarming truth.
Now, my brothers." said he, lee us
ride down and confront the wicked wretches
and if they will down on their knees and
lmplore God mercy, and promise to do
SO no more, We will not take legal action
against them. O, that my own land should
be desecra'ed thus ! for it was indeed a
section of bis own farm.
As the good clergyman thus spoke. he
started on toward the scene. The horses
If the wicked men were Just drawing up
tor start as the minister approached, and
some Of the riders, who at once recognized
old Morgan, did not recognize he reyeren>
ed individual who rode him.
Wicked men commenced the parson.
as he came near enough TO have his
voice heard, children of sin and shame
Come on, old hoss,' cried one of the
jockeys, turning toward the minister. If
you are in for the first race. you must stir
your stumps. Now we go,
Alas o, my wicked
All ready, shouted the leader in the af>
fair, cutting the minister short. And off
it is
And the word for starting was given