St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1878-10-04
From the Atlantic for October.
The Parsons Horse Race.

"Wal now this 'ere does beat all l
wouldn't "a thought it o. the Deacon
SO spoke Sam Lawson, dropping in Il
discouraged, contemplative attitude in
front of an equally discouraged looking
horse, that had just been brought to him
by the widow Simpkins for medical
treatment. Among Sans many accom-
plishments he was reckoned in the
neighbOrhoOd an oracle in all matters
of this kind, especially by women,
whose helplessness in meeting such
emergencies found unfailing solace un-
der his compassionate willingness to
attend to any business that did not
strictly belong to him, and from which
no pecuniary return was to be expect
ed.
The widow Simpkins had bought this
horse of Deacon Atkins, apparently a
fairly well appointed brute, and capa-
BILE as he was good looking. A short,
easy drive when the deacon held the
reins had shown off his points to advan-
tage, and the widows small stock of
ready savings had come forth freely in
payment for what she thought was a
bargain. When, soon after coming into
possession, she discovered that her
horse, if driven with any haste, painted
i'll fearful manner, and that he ap-
peared to be growing lame, she waxed
wrOth, and went to the deacon in anger
to be met only with the smooth remind
er that the animal was all right when
she took him,-that she had seen him
tried herself. The widow was of ma
ture somewhat spicy, and expressed
herself warmly: ats cheat and a
shame, and I'll take the law on ye."
"What law will you take 2" said the
unmoved deacon. "Wasn't it a fair
bargain ?"
''I'll take the law of God" said the
widow, with impotent indignation, and
she departed to pour her cares and tri-
ais into the ever ready ear of Sam.
Having assumed the care of the animal,
he now sat contemplating it in sort OF
trance of melancholy reflection.
"Why, boys" he broke out, "why
didn't she come to me afore she bought
this crittur! Why, l knew all about
him! That ERE crittur was jest ruined
a year ago last summer, when Tom, the
deacon's boy there, come home from
college. Tom dTiv him over to Sher-
burn and back that 'ere hot Fourth OF
July. Member it, cause | saw the
crittur when he come home; sOt up
with Tom takin' care of him all night
that ere crittur had the thumps ali
night, and he hain't never been good
for nothin' since. l telled the deacon
he was gone boss then, and wouldn't
never be good for nothin'. The deacon
he took off his shoes and let him run tc
pastur' all summer, and he's ben a-feed.
in and pussin' on him up; and now
he's put him off on the widder.
wouldn't "a thought it o. the deacon
Why, this hoss'll never be no good te
her; that 'ere IS a used-up crittur, any
fool may seei He'll mabbe do for abou
quarter of an hour on a smooth road
but come to drive him as "a body want
to drive, why, he blows like my bel
lowsis; and the deacon knew it-mus
"a known it !"
"Why, Sam," we exclaimed, 'sain'
: the deacon good MANI"
| "Wal now, there's where the sho
pinches! In gin'al way the deacon i
good man he's cOnsid'able more thai
middlin' good-gin'ally he adorns hi
t perfession. On most p'ints don't he
nOthin' agin the deacon, and this 'er
amt bit like him-but there't is
Come to hOsses, there's where the un
: sanctified natur' comes out Folks wi
d cheat about hosses when they won