Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1871-03-01

| quiet, and told them that on the next Sun
day he would make his appearance on the
very spot and catch them in their very deeds
| OF iniauity.
ON the following Sabbath after dinDer,
Mr.. Ridewell ordered Pompey to bring up
old Morgan and put him in the stable. The
order was obeyed, though not without many
misgivings on the part of the negro. As
soon as the afternoon services were closed,
the two deacons, and some other members
OF the church, accompanied the minister
home with their horses.
1T rs the most fragrant piece of abomin
alton that ever came under my observation, !"
said the indignant clergyman, as they rode
on.
1T is, most assurediy," answered one of
the deacons
Horse racing on the Sabbath - uttered
the minister
Dreadful !" echoed the second 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 horse
men, with Il score of lookers-on, were as
sembled. The sight was one which chilled
the good parson to his soul He remained
motionless until he had made out the whole
alarming truth.
Now, my brothers, said he, 'let US
ride down and confront the wick ed wretches,
and if they will fall down upon their knees
and implore Cod S mercy, anG promise to
do SO no more, we will not take legal action
against them. q, that my own land should
he desecrated thus !! for it was indeed "a
section of his own ialm.
As the good Clergyman thus spoke, lie
started on toward the scene The horses of
The wicked men were just drawing up for a
start as the minister approached, and some
Of the riders, who at once recognized ''old
Morgan" did not recognize the reverend
individual who rode him.
Wicked men - 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 toward the minister 'If
your are in for the first race, yoa must sti.
yonr stumps. Now we go!''
Alas 0, my wicked"
'AIl ready" shouted he who led in the
affair, cutting the minister short. And Off
it Is"
And the word for starting was given.
Old Morgan knew that word 100 well, for no
sooner did it faN upon his ears than he stuck
out his nose, and with one wild snort he
started, and the rest of the racers, tive! &
IN number, kept him company.
who ca! who oa-oa y cried the pars IN
at the top of his voice.
By the powers, old fellow, you re a keen
one, " shouted one Of the wicked men who
had thus far managed to keep close to the
side of the parson. You ride we'll
who no hoo! who o-oa - yelled the
clergyman, tugging at the rcius with all his
might.
But it was of no avail. Old Morgan had
now reached ahead of all competitors. and
he came up to the Judge stand three rods
ahead, where the petriied deacons were
standing, with eyes aud mouths wide open
Don't stop" cried the judge who had
now recognized Parson Ridewell, and who
also saw at once the Sc ret of old Morgan's
joining the race. Don stop he shouted
again its a two mile heat this time.
Keep right on, parson. You are good for
another mile. Now you go-aud off it is -
These last words we're of course known to
the horse, and no sooner did Morgan hear
them than he stuck his nose out, and again
started Off The good parson did his best
to stop the beaitched animal. but it could
not be done. The more he Struggled and
yelled, the faster the animal went, and ere
many moments be was again at the starting
point, where Morgan now stopped of bis
own accord. There was hurried whisper.
ing among the wicked ones, and succession
of very curious winks and mods seemed to
indicate that they understood.
"Uron my soul, parson, said the leader
of the aJomination, approaching the spot
where the minister sat IN his saddle, lie
having not yet sufficiently recovered his
presence of mind to dis,nouut, you ride
we'll We had not looked for this honor "
Honor, sir = gasped Parson Rdewell,
looking blankly into the speakers face.
''Ay-for It's honor. You are the fir: {
Clergyman who has ever joined US in our
Slbbath evening entertainments
IL, sir! joined you -
'lIa, ha, ha o, you did it well; your
good deacons really think you tried to stop
your horse but | saw through it; l saw
Low slyly you tried to put your horse u.
B 1t | don't blame you for feeling prond 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
dill your best to stop your beast; for wonid
rather stretch the truth little than have
such good jockey as you are suffer. -
This had been spoken so loudly that the
good deacons had heard every word, and Il e
parson was bewildered but he soon came
to himself, and with a flashing eye he
cried:
Williams, what mean you? WHY do We