The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1878-11-07
THE PARSONS HORSE RACE.
BY MRS. HARRIET BEncHnR STOWE

Watl now this 'ere does beat all |
wouldn't "a thought it O. the deacon"
So spoke Sam Lawson, dropping in a
discouraged, contemplatiye 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 emergen-
cies found unfailing solace under his
compassionate willingness to attend to
any business that did not strictly belong
to him, and from which no pecuniary re-
turn could be expected.
The widow Simpkins had bought this
horse of Deacon Atkins, apparently a
fairly well-appointed brute, and capable
as he was good looking. A short, easy
drive when the deacon held the reins
had shown off his points to advantage,
and the widows small stock of ready
savings had come forth freely in pay
ment for what she thought was bar
gain. When, soon after coming into
possession, she discovered that her
horse, il driven with any haste, painted
in fearful manner, and that he ap-
peared to be growing lame, she waxed
wroth, 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 nature
somewhat spicy, and expressed herself
warmly:
It's cheat and shame, and Pll
take the la|-on ye."
+" What law will you takeT' said the
unmoved deacon. Wasn't it q fair
bargain 2'
"Pll take the law of God," 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 sort Of
trance of melancholy reflections.
Why, boys" he broke out, "why
didn't she come 10 me afore she bought
this critturl Why, / knew all about
himl That ERE crittur was jest ruined
a year ago last summer, when Tom, the
deacon's boy there, come home from
college. Tom driv him over to Sher
burn and back that ere hot Fourth O
July. Member it cause I saw the crit
tur when he come home; sot up witt
Tom taking care of him all night; tina
'ere crittur had the thumps all night
and he hasn't never been good for moth
ing since. / telled the deacon he was
gone hoss then, and wouldn't never b
good for nothing. The deacon he tool
off his shoes and let him run to pastur
all summer, and he's been feedin' an
nussin' on him up; and now he's put O.
on the widder. l wouldn't "a though
it O. the deacon. Why, this hoss'll neve
be no good to her; that 'ere's used-ul
crittur, any fool may seel He'll mabb
do for about euarter of an hour on
smooth road, but come to drive him as
body wants to drive, why, he blows lik
my bellowsis: and the deacon knew it
must "a known itr'
Why, SAM" we exclaimed " ain
the deacon good man"
"Wal, now, there's where the she
pinchesl In a gin'al way the deacon
good man-he's consid' BILE more tina
middlin' good-gin' ally he adorns b
perfession. On most p'ints. don't he
nothin' agin the deacon, and this Eel
amt q bit like him-but there I'll.
Come to hosses, there's where the III
\ sanctifed natur' comes out. Folks wi
, cheat about hosses when they won
about most nothin' else.n And Sa
leaned back on his cold forge, nowempt
of coal, and seemed to deliver himselfto
mournful train of general reflection.
Yis, HOSES do seem to be sort O. u
regenerate critturs," he said, "there
suthin' about hosses that deceives Il
very elect; the best O. folks gets trip,
up when they come to deal in bosses
+" Why, Sam is there anything bad
hosses?" we interjected timidly.
Tain't the HOSES, boys" said Sal
with solemnity. " Lordy massy, t
hosses is all right enough-hesses
scriptooral animals; Elijah went up
heaven In chari't with hosses; al
then all them lots O. hosses in the Ra,
lations, black and white and red and
sorts O. colors That 'ere shows hos.
go to heaven but it's more'n the fol
that hev 'em is likely to, eff they do
look out."
Ministers, now," continued Sam,
a soliloquizing vein" folks alters thir
it's suthin' sort O. shaky in minister
have anythln' to do with hosses-s,
/ TO get 'ep into trouble. There was ,
Parson Williams, O. North Billriky,
into drefful mess about hoss. Loi
massy, he warn't to blame, neither,
he got into the drefulest scrape y
Ever heard on-come nigh to onsettl
HIM.
Oh, Sam, tell us all about it,
ooys shouted, delighted with the pl
rect Oh story,
Wal. vat row HI I .at A