The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-11-01
THE PARSONS HORSEBACK.
BY HARRIET BEEcHER STOWE.

WAL now this ere does beat all ]
wouldn't "a thought it o the deacon
So spoke Sam Lawson, dropping in @
discouraged, contemplative attitude in
front of an equally discouraged-loobine
horse, that had just been brought to
him by the Widow Simpkins for med
ical treatment. Among Sans many ac-
complishments he was reckoned in the
neighborhood, an oracle in all matters OF
this kind, especially by women whose
helplessness in meeting such emergen-
cies found unfailing solace under his
compassionate Willingness to attend to
any business that did not strictly belong
20 him, and from which no pecuniary
return was to be expected.
The Widow Simpkins had bought this
horse of Deacon Atkins, apparently a
fairly well-appointed brute, and as capa-
bic as he was good-looking A short,
easy drive, when the deacon held the
reins, had shown off his points to adj
vantage, 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'm fearful manner, and that he APP
peared to be growing lame, she waxed
wroth, and went to the Deacon in anger,
to be met only with the smooth reminder
that the animal was all right when she
took him-that she had seen him tried
herself. The widow was of a nature
somewhat spicy, and expressed herself
warmly: Its a cheat and a shame, and
I'll take the law on ye.'
What law will you take?" said the
unmoved deacon. Wasn't it q fair bar
gain?"
"I'u take the law of Cod" said the
widow, with impotent Indignation, and
she departed to pour her cares and trials
into the ever-ready ear of Sam. Having
assumed the care of the animal, he now
sat contemplating it in a sort of trance
of melancholy reflection.
Why, boys" he broke out, "why
didn't she come to me afore she bought
this critter? That ere crittur was jest
ruined year ago last summer, when
Tom, the deacon's boy there, come home
from college. Tom driv him over to
Sherburn and back that ere hot Fourth
of July. Member it, cause i saw the
crittur when he come home; I sot up
with Tom takin' care of him all night
that ere crittur had the thumps all
night, and he haint never been good
for nothin' since. / telled the deacon
he was a gone boss then, and wouldn't
never be good for nothin'. The deacon
he took off his shoes, and let him run
TO pastur' all summer and he's been a
feedin' and nussin' on him up; and now
he's put him off on the widder. l
wouldn't "a thought it o. the deacon.
Why, this hoss1l never be no good to
her: that 'ere's used-up crittur, any
fool may see! He'll mebbe do for about
a quarter of an hour on smooth road,
but come to drive him as body wants
TO drive, why, he blows like my bellowsis
and the deacon knew it-must "a known
i'll" :.
"Why. SAM" we exclaimed, "ain't
the deacon q good man?'
oval, now, there's where the shoe
pinches. In a gin'al way the deacon is
a good man-he's consid'able more than
middlin' good-gin'ally he adorns his
perfession. On most pints don't hev
nothi n agin the deacon, and this ere
amt a bit like him-but there tbs!
Come to HOSES. there's where the un-