Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1870-12-22

summer, on every Sabbath af.
ternoon. He bade his parish
toner's keep quiet, and told
them that on the next Sunday
he would make his appearance
on the very spot and catch them
in their deeds of iniquity.
On the following Sabbath, af-
ter dinner, Mr.. Ridewell ordered
Pompey to bring up old Nor
gan and put him in the stable.
The order was obeyed, though
not without many misgivings
on the part Of the faithful ne
| gro. AS soon as che afternoon
services were closed, the dea-
cons, and some others of the
members of the church, accom-
panied the minister home with
their horses.
"1t is the most fragrant piece
of abomination that ever came
under my observation" said the
indignant clergyman, as they
rode on.
at is, most assuredly," an
wered one of the deacons.
"Horse-racing on the Sab
bath J" uttered the minister.
Dreadful I" echoed the sec
ond deacon.
And so the conversation
went on until they reached the
top of gentle eminence which
overlooked the plain where the
racing was carried ON, and
where some dozen horsemen,
with a score of lookers-on, were
assembled. The sight was one
that chilled the good parson to
his soul. He remained motion
less until he had made out the
whole alarming truth.
"Now, my brothers, " said he,
'1et us ride down and confront
the wicked wretches, and if
they will fall down upon their
knees and implore Gods mer-
cy, and promise to do so no more
we will not take legal action
against them. 0, that my own
land should be desecrated
thus !" for it was indeed sec
ton of his own farm.
AS the good clergyman thus
spoke, he started on toward the
scene. The horses of the wick
ed men were just drawing up
for start as the minister ap-
preached, and some of the RE
ders, who recognized cold Nor
gan," did not recognize the rev.
erend individual who rode him.
"Wicked men p commenced
the parson, as he came near
! enough for his voice to be
heard, children of sin and
shame"
"Come on, old hoss," cried
one of the jockeys, turning to-
ward the minister. off you are
in for the first race, you must
stir your stumps. Nowwe gop'
"Alas ! o, my wicked
"All ready" shouted he who
led in the affair, cutting the min
lister short. "And off it is"
And the word for starting
was given. Old Morgan knew
that word too well, for no soon
er did it fall upon his ears than
he stuck out his nose, and with
one wild snort he started, and
the rest of the racers, twelve in
number, kept him company.
"Wh-oa | who-a-oal" cried
the parson at the top of his
voice.
"By the powers, old fellow,
you're keen one," shouted one
of the wicked men, who had
thus far managed to keep close
by the side of the parson,-
"You ride WE'LL"
"Who-ho-ho-o who-a-oa p
yelled the clergyman, tugging
at the rein with all his might.
But it was of no avail. Old
Morgan had now reached ahead
of all competitors, and came
up to the judges stand three
rods ahead, where the petrified
deacons were standing, with
eyes and mouths wide open.
"Don't STOP" cried the Judge,
who had now recognized Parson
Ridewell, and suspected his bu-
siness, and who also saw at once
into the secret of old Morgan s
| joining the race. ''Don't STOP"
he shouted again; cit is two
mile heat this time. Keep right
on, parson. You are good fol-
another mile. Now you go
and off it isp
These last words were of
course known to the horse, and
no sooner did Morgan hear then
than he stuck his nose out, ano
/ .e.osr e4o,.+ad oH Tho o,or