Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1872-12-25

A MoTHER-IN-LAw's FAST RIDE.-Joe
5. is the fortunate possessor of a mother.
in-law, and, what be probably thought
more of, among his horses was one known
as Quaker. Now, Quaker was a good
roadster, and could and would jerk a
wagon with two in it in , 81 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 competing horse
ranged alongside, and a stroag pull was
taken, accompanied by yeils, 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 Mas
ter Joe then lived, he had his old Quake
hitched up to 130 pound three quarter
seated wagon, and, as ne was getting in,
mother in-law wished to 90 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 a hurry to return, she would have to
drive back alone, and then cramped the
wagon for her admittance; and with head
dropping and slouching 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 mother-in-
law is rigid, old-fashioned, sky-blue
Baptist, undoubtedly very good, but un
fortunately possessed with the idea that to
laugh is sin. 1t so happened that every
team at that time was going to the fair
grounds, or else was walking; so Quaker
,I II. hvr+
they arrived at the Office of the Town
Clerk, s. saw Jake Barnes coming on his
way to the fair. Now Jake's mare has
the reputation of being four or i've sec
onds faster than old Quaker. To turn
Quaker around, jump out, and advise
mother-in law to drive slow going home.
was but a minutes work; aud then holding
up his hand to attract Jack attention. he
told him he would pay chicken fxings &c,
il he would range alongside Quaker at full
speed, yell, and spirit the old horse TO the
street TO the Fair Ground entrance. A
nod, and Jack touches Lady Cutler with
his whip, sings out get and lays for Qua
ker, who, hearing the stopper coming,
grabs at his bit Mother-in law takes
hold of reins in front Of the buttons, puts
her feet against brace iron IN front, and
as the Lady ranges alongside, Jack yelling
lively, mother-in-law takes her strongest
pull, screaming whoa to stop her e ami
mile" But he didn't stop-not much
be didn't. The pull was just enough 10
steady him good; whoa he evidently con
sidered to be meant for sell to the other
horse, and squatted to 90 his level best,
and just did II Now you bet Barnes
was actually getting left behind, and
warming up to his work he commenced in
right good earnest to sing out Hi farr
Go er long What are you about Git
won't yer p And they did git, nice, both
of EN-. The people they passed, seeing.
their speed and the old ladys hat on the
back OF her neck, the shawl streaming out
behind, and the courage with which she
hung on to the lines, cIapped their hands
and eneouragingly sang out " Good, old
girln' Gay old bird" '.2:40"-"Bully
tor I'D Quaker" Aud as they assed the
two hotels the fast boys on the piazzas
gave them three cheers with a vim-in
fact with several extra Wins.
Joe's mother-in-law took the first even
ing train for her Green Mountain home.
His parting words were = he should not
dare allow her to drive Quaker again, as
be had cautioned her to drive slow, and
she had gone and beaten one of the fastest
horses in town"
Joe said next day, with a twinkle in his
eye, that his wife did not give him a
, curtain lecture" that night, and when
parties put up their little bets on it, be
proved by Jack Barnes thai they went
out to Pittsburg for their chicken fxings,
&c, and didn't get back until o'clock,
next morning.