Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1871-03-17
verend individual who rode him.

AL Teduy, shouleu NC VINO leu
In the affair, cutting the minister
short. "And off 1t is."
And the word for starting was
given. Old Morgan know that word
too well, for no sooner did 1t fall up.
on his ears then he stuck out his
nose, and with one wild snort he
started, and the rest of the racers,
twelve In number, kept him com.
pany.
"Who-oa! 4! who-oa cried the par
son ut 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.oa! who~a!" yelled the par
son, tugging at the reins with oil his
might.
But it was of no avail. Old Nor
gan had now reached ahead of all
competitors, and he came up to the
judges stand three rods ahead, where
the petritied deacons were standing,
with eyes and mouth wide open.
Don't stop, cried the Judge, who
had now recognized Parson Ridewell
and suspected his business; aud who
also saw at once into the secret of
old Morgan's Joining the race
Don't stop" he shouted again; it is
a two~mile heat this time. Keep
right on, parson. You are good for
another mile. Now you go-and off
ii is ~
The last words were of course
known to the horse, and no sooner
did Morgan hear them than stnok
his nose out again and started off
The parson tried his best to stop the
tewitched animal, but it could not
be done. The more he struggled
and yelled, the faster the animal
went, and ere many moments he was
again at the starting point, where
Morgan now stopped of his own ac-
cord. There was hurried whisper
ng among the wicked ones, and u
succession of curious winks and
knowing mods seemed to indicate
that they understood.
"UpOn my soul, parson," said the
leader Of the abomination, approachN
ing the spot where the minister sat
in his saddle, lie having not yet suf-
ficiently recovered his presence OF
mind TO dismount, "Y0u ride well.-
We had not looked for the honor"
"Honor, sir! grasped Parson
RidewelI, looking blankly into the
speakers face.
"Ay-for 'tis an honor. You are
the first clergyman who has ever
Joined us in our Sabbath evening en-
tertainments."
IL, sir! Ijoined you?"
"Ha, ha, ha! o, you did well !;
your good deacons really think you
tried to stop your horse; but I saw
through it; saw how silly you rut
your horse up. But / don't blame
you for feeling proud of old Morgan,
for / should feel so myself If 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 u good
jockey as you are suffer-"
This had been spoken so loud that
the good deacons heard every word
and the parson was bewildered but
he soon came to himself, and with
a flashing eye, lac cried:
"Villains, what mean you? Why
do you thus"
"Hold on" interrupted one of the
party, and as he spoke, the rest of
the racing men had mounted their
horses. Hold oD 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
your horse could not beat US all, we
agreed among ourselves that If you
came we would let you in. We have
done so, and you have won the race
in two mile heat. Now, let that
satisfy you. by the hokey, but you
did it well. When you want to try
again, just send US word, and we will
be ready for you. Good bye !"
AS the wretch thus spoke, he turn
ed his horses head, and before the
astonished preacher could utter a
word, the party had ridden away out
of hearing. 1t was some time before
one of the churchmen could speak.
they knew not what to say. Why
should their masters horse have
joined i'm the race without permiss-
ion from his master. They knew
how much he set by the animal, and
at length they shook their heads
with doubt.
at is very strange" said one.
"Very," answered second.
Remarkable" suggested third.
'On my soul, brethern," spoke
Ridewell, ~ can't make it out"
The brethern looked at each other,
and shook their heads in a very sol>
emn and impressive manner.
80 the party rode back to the cler-
gyman's house, but none of the
brethern would enter nor would
any Of them stop at Nil. Before
Monday had drawn TO a close, ii was
generally known that Parson Ride
well had raced his horse on the Sab
bath, and meeting Of the church
was appointed for Thursday.
Poor RideweII was almost crazy
with vexation but before Thursday
came. Pompey foundsout how matt
ers stood, and he assured his master
that he would clear the matter up,
and after a days search lie Discovers
ed the astounding fact that some of
those wicked men had been i'm the
habit Of stealing old Morgan from
the pasture. and racing him Sal bath
afternoons, but lie could not find out
who did il.