The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1872-11-28
A Mother-in-LaW's Fast Ride.

Joe $. is the fortunate poSSessor of Il
mother-ln-law and, what he probably
thought more of, among his horses was
one known as Quaker. Now Quaker was
a good roader, and could and woHld jerk
II wagon with two in ii in 81 on the road
and the harder he was pulled IN and the
more he was yelled at the faster he meant
to 90. In fact, when a competing horse
ranged alongside, and n strong pull was
taken accompanied with yells, he thought
he must do his level best on trottng and
You bet he did it.
Not many Years ago. when the county
iair was held where Master Joe then lived,
he had old Quaker hitched up to a 1870
pounds thrce-quarter seated wagon, and
as he was getting in, motherin-law wish
ed to 90 with him He informed her that
he was going TO the town clerks office at
the lower end Of the village, (about n
mile, and il she was in 4 hurry to return
she would have to drive back alone, and
then cramn ed the wagon Tor her admit
lance and with head dropping and SLOUGH
inc gait old Quaker walked along, taking
the iIl-assorted pair to the clerks office.
Now he it known, Joe dearly loves fun.
and will have it us often as possible, while
the mother-in-law is n rigid, old fashioned,
sky blue Baptist, undoubtedly very good
but possessed with the idea that to laugh
is TO sin.
1t SO happened that every team at that
time was going to the fair grounds, or else
walking; SO Quaker had no chance to
score up" but just as they arrived at the
office of the town clerk, S. saw Jack
Barnes coming on his way to the fair.
Now Jacks mare had the reputation OF
beng or 5 seconds faster than old Quak-
er. To turn Quaker around, jump out,
advise mother-in-law to driye slow along
home, was but minutes work, then hold
ing up his hand to attract Jacks attention
he told him he would pay chicken fixings,
ct ceteras, if he would range alongside
Quaker at speed, yell iand spirit the old
horse up the street to the fair grounds
entrance A nod, Jack touches Lady Cut
Ter with his whip, sings out "gitt" and
lays for Quaker, who hearing the stopper
grabs at his bit.
Mother-in-law takes hold of reins in
front of the buttons; puts feet against
brace in front, and as the Lady ranges
alongside, Jack yelling lively, mother-in-
law takes the strongest pull, screaming
whoa! to stop her "animile." But he
didn't stop-not much, he didn't. The
pull was just enough to steady him good
whoa he evidently considered to be
meant for sell to the other horse. and
squatted to go his level best, and just did
| it, now you bet.
Barnes was actually getting behind. and
warming up to his work, he commenced
in right good earnest to sing out, ''Hi!
Var! Go er long! What are you about!
Git. won't yer?" And she did git-nice
-"both on 'em." The people they passed,
seeing their speed, and the old lady's hat
on the back of her neck, her shawl stream
ing out behind, and the courage with
which she hung on to the lines, clapped
their hands and encouragingly sung out,
"Good old galr-"Gay old gal!"-''Gay
old rd!"-''Bully for old Quakerr' And
as they passed the two hotels. the fast
boys one the piazzas gave them three
cheers with vim-in fact with several
extra WINS.
Joes mother-in-law took the first eve
ming train for her Green Mountain home.
His parting words were, che should not
allow her to drive Quaker again, as he
had cautioned her to drive slow, and she
had gone and beat one of the fastest
horses in the town."
Joe said next day, with quiet twinkle
in his eye, that his wife did not give him
''curtain lecture" that night, and when
parties put up their little bets on it, he