Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1871-05-12
il he had made out the whole alarming

"Now, my brothers," said he let us
ridedown and confront the wicked wretch
es, and if they will fall down upon their
knees and implore Gods mercy, and
promise to do so no more, we will not
take legal action against them. o, that
my own landshoulG be 6esecrated thus -
for it was indeed section of his own
| farm.
As the good clergyman thus spoke. he
started on toward the scene. The hors-
es of the wicked men were just drawing
up for startas the minister approached
and some of the riders, who at once rec
ognized old Morgan did not recog-
nize the reverend gentleman who rode
h m.
Wicked men!" commenced the par
son, 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 toward the minister
eff you are in for the first race, you
must stir your stumps. Now we go! !"
"Alas o, my wicked"
All ready" shouted he who led in
the affair, cutting the minister short
And of it is"
And the word for starting was given.
Old Morgan knew that word to well, for
no sooner did it fall upon his ears than
he stuck out his nose and with one wild
snort be started, and the rest of the ra-
GERS, twelve in number, kept him compa-
ny.
"Who-o! who-oa-oa p cried the par
son, at the top of his voice.
" By the powers, old fellow, you're a
keen one," shonted one of the wicked
men, who had thus far managed to keep
close by the side of the parson. You
ride WELL"
Who-ho hoo !" yelled the clergyman
tugging at the reins with all hi, might.
But it was of no avail. Old Morgan
had now reached ahead of all competi-
tors, and he came to the judges stands
three rods ahead, where the petrifed dea-
cons were standing, with eyes and mouth
wide open.
Don't STOP" cried the judge, who
had now recognized Farson Ridewell,
and suspected his business, aud who also
saw at once into the secret of of ole
Morgan's joining the race. Don't stop"
he shouted again; 4" 1t is a twomie heat
this time, Keep right on, parson. You
are good for another mile. Now you go
and off it is!''
These last words were of course known
to the horse, and no sooner did Morgan
hear them then he stuck outhis nose, ana
again started off. The good parson did
his best to stop the bewiched animal, but
it could not be done. The more he
struggled and yelled, the faster the ami
NAL went, and ere many moments he was
again at the starting point, where Nor
gan now stopped of his own accord. -
| There was hurried whispering among
the wicked ones, and succession of very
curious winks and knowing mods seemed
to indicate that they understood.
Upon my soul, parson," said the
leader of the abomination, approaching
the spot where the minister sat in his sad.
die, he having not yet sufficiently recov-
cred his presence of mind to dismount,
you ride WE'LL" We had not looked
for this honor.
Honor, sir p gasped parson Ride
well, looking blankly into the speaker
face.
Ay--for It's an honor. You are the
first clergyman who has ever joined us
in our Sabbath evening entertainments. .
"I-I, sir! Joined your
Ha. ha, ha o, you did it well
your good deacons really think you tried
to stop your horse but l saw through
it; l saw how silly you put your horse
up But don't blame you for feeling
proud of old Morgan, for / should feel
so myself if 1 owned him. But you
need not fear; will tell all who may
ask me about it, that you did your best
to stop your beast; for / would rather
stretch the truth little than have such
good jockey as you are suffer"
This had been spoken so loudly that
the good deacons heard every word and
the parson was bewiidered but he soon
came to himself, and with flashing eye,
he cried:
Villains, what mean you? Why do
ye thus"
Hold on" interrupted one of the
party, and, as he spoke, the rest Of the
racing men had all mounted their horses
hold on moment, parson. We are
willing to allow you to carry off the palm
but we won't stand your abuse. When
we heard that you had determined to try
if your horse would not beat us all, we
agreed among ourselves that if you came