Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1872-12-05
Anmurums department.
A MOTHER.IN.LAW,S FAST RIDE.

Joe s. is the fortunate possessor of q
mother-in-law, and what he probably thought
more of among his horses, was one known as
Quaker. Now, Quaker was good roadster,
and could and would jerk wagon with two
in it, in 251 on the road, and the harder he
was pulled in, and the more he was yelled at,
the faster he meant to 60. In fact, when a
competing horse was ranged alongside, and a
hard pull was taken, accompanied by yells, he
thought he must do his level best, on trotting,
and you bet he did it. Not many years ago,
when the county fair was held where Joe then
lived, he had old Quaker hitched up to 130
pounds three-quarter seated wagon, and as he
was getting in, his mother-in-law wished to 60
with him. He informed her that he was
going to the town clerks Office at the lower
end of the village, about mile, and if she
was in hurry to return, she would have to
drive back all alone, and then cramped the
wagon for her admittance; and with head
dropping and slouching gait, old Quaker
walked along, taking the il.assorted pair to
the town clerks Office. Now, be it known,
Joe dearly loves fun, and will have it as often
as possible, while mother-in-law is a rigid,
old fashioned, sky-blue Baptist, undoubtedly
very good, but unfortunately possessed with
the idea that to laugh is to sin. 1t so hap
pened that every team, at that time, was going
to the fair grounds or else was in a walk; so
old Quaker had no chance to "score up" but
Just as they arrived at the Office of the town
clerk, Joe saw Jack Barnes coming on his
way to the fair Now, Jacks mare has the
reputation of being four or five seconds faster
than old Quaker. To turn old Quaker around,
jump out, and advise mother-in-law to drive
slow going home. was but q minutes work
and then holding up his hand to attract Jacks
attention, he told him he would pay chicken
fxings and etceteras if he would range along
side of old Quaker at speed, yell and spirit
the old horse up the street to the fair grounds
entrance. A nod, and Jack touches up his
mare, Lady Cutter, with his whip, sings out,
"Gitw and lays for old Quaker, who, hear
ing the stopper coming, grabs at his Bit
Mother-in.law takes hold of the reins in front
of the buttons, puts her feet against the brace
iron in front, and as the Lady Cutter ranges
alongside, Jack yelling lively, mother-in-law
takes her 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 con-
sidered to be meant for sell to the other
horse, and squatted to 60 his level best, and
just did it. Now, you bet! Jack was actual
ly getting left behind, and warming up to his
work commenced in right good earnest to
sing out-"Hi Yarr! Go er long What are
you about! Git, won't yer?" And they did
-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
streaming out behind, and the courage with
which she clung on to the lines, clapped their
hands and encouragingly sung out, "Good
old gal! Gay old birdE 2.40! Bully for
old Quaker!' And as they passed the two
hotels the fast boys on the piazzas gave them
three cheers with vim-in fact, with several
extra Wins.
Joe's mother-in-law took the first evening
train for her Green Mountain Home. His
parting words we're, he "should not dare allow
her to drive old Quaker again, as he had
cautioned her to drive slow, and she had gone
and beat one of the fastest horses in town."
Joe said next day, with quiet twinkle in
his eye, that his wife did not give him "cur-
tain lecture" that night, and when parties
put up their little bets on it, he proved by
Jack Barnes that they went out to Pittsburgh
for their chicken fxings and etceteras, and
didn't get back until o'clock next morning