Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1872-10-30
Exciting Race.
A MOther.in.laW'S Fast Ride.
Turf, Field and Farm

Turf, Field and Farm
Joe s. is the fortunate possessor Of a
mother-in law, and, what he probably
thought more of among bis horses was
one known as Quaker Now Quaker
was good roader, and could and would
jerk wagon with two in it in 2:5l on
the road, and the harder he was pulled
in and the more he was yelled at the
faster he meant to go. In fact, when a
competing horse ranged alongside. and a
strong pull was taken, accompanied with
yells, he thought he must do his level
best on trotting, and you bet he did it -
Not many years ego, when the country
fair was held where Master Joe then
lived he had old Quaker hi,ched up to a
l3O pounds three-quarter seated wagon,
and as he was getting in, mother in law
wished to go with him. He informed
her that he was going to the town clerks
office. at the lower end of the village,
(about a mile and if she wos in bur
ry 10 return size would have to drive
back alone, and then cramped the wag
on for her adinittance; and with head
dropping and slon-hing gait old Quaker
walked along, taking the ill-assorted pair
to the town clerks office. Now, be it
known, Joe dearly loves fun, and will
have it as often as possible, while moth
er in law is rigid, old fashioned. sky
blue Baptist, undoubtedly very good, but
unfortunately possessed with the idea
that to laugh is to Elm. 1t so happened
that every team at that time was going
to the fair grounds, or else was 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,
Jack mare has the reputation of being
four or five seconds faster than old Qua
/ r..
and advise moAher- i'll law to drive slow
going home, was but minute work
aud then holding up his hand to attract
Jacks attention be told him he would
pay chicken tixings. etceteras, if he wo d
rauge alongside Quaker at speed. yell
and spirit the old horse up the street to
Fair Grounds entrance A nod, aud
Jack touches Lady Cutler with his whip
sings out git! and lays for Quaker. who
hearing the stepprr coming. g abs at his
bit Mother-in-law takes hold of reins
in front OF the buttons, puts feet against
brace iron in front, and as The lady ran
gss alongside, Jack yelling lively. moth
law takes her strongest pull, scream
ing whoa to stop her "animile " Bu
he didn't stop-not much-he didn t -
the pull was just enough to steady him
go,d; whoa he evidently considered n
be meant for sell to the other horse
and squatted to 60 his level best, ano
just did it Now you bet! Barnes wa
actually getting left behind, and warm
ing up to his work he commenced II
right good earnest to sing out, Hi larr
TO er long! What are you about J.
Git, won't yerl And they did git
nice-' Both on 'em" The people the,
passed seeing their speed and ;he old ia
dys hat on the back OF her neck her
shawl streaming out behind. and th'
courage with which she hung on to tn
lines. cIapped their hands and encoura
gingly sung out. Good, old gal !''-"Ga,
old bird !''-"BulIy for old Quaker =
And as they passed the two hotels. tn
fast boys on the piazzas gave them three
cheers with vim-in fact. with severa
extra Wins.
Joe's mother in law took the first eve
, ming train for her Green Mountain home
His parting words were. he should n"
2 allow her to drive Quaker again as b
had cautioned hen to drive slow. and sh
had gone and beat one of the taste'
horses in town. TVFT eas.s
t Joe said next day. with quiet twin
: kle in his eye, that his wife did not Civ
him "curtain lecture" that night, an
when parties put up their little bets o
it he proved by Jack Barnes that the
went out to Pitsburg for their chic e
# fixings aud etceteras. and 'iidn'tget BIC
i until six o'clock next morning.