Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1885-08-21
A QUICK HORSE TRADE.

One Of the best known characters in Gen.
John H. Morgan's cavalry division was Par
son w ---. He was an excellent man and
an excellent soldier and his piety was AZ
true as his patriotism still, with all his
good qualities, the parson was exceedingly
eccentric, and, perhaps as opinionated and
stubborn q citizens a. the Southern Confed-
eracy had in her borders.
He was the most aggressive, tho fiercest,
the most tenacious disputant that ever dis
sected the resolutions of '9s, or knocked
men down for not readily discerning the dis
tinction between ''secession" and ''co-opera-
tion." His sincerity only made him the
more obstinate On account Of his nerve,
astuteness, large acquaintance in Kentucky,
and thorough knowledge Of the country, he
was very frequently sent by General Morgan
into the state to obtain the information re-
quired, not only to guide his own operations |
but for the use Of the army. Upon these |
| expeditions he was generally accompanied |
| by Dan Ray, q gallant splendid fellow, az
intelligent and nervy as the parson, but the |
argument except to start the parson and
crafty his fun-loving disposition at the lat
| ter's expense.
One day they were riding along together,
| somewhere In Southern Kentucky, when the
conversation turned on practice very prev
| alent at that time among those who "jined
| the cavalry" and Il must be confessed, car
ried to the fullest extent in "Morgans COM
pressing" Dan mildly excused and even
advocated II, upon the ground that II was a
"military necessity" but admitted that 1t
was sometimes abused.
The parson condemned II in toto. He
would not acknowledge that it could be de-
Tended or palliated under any circumstances
He stated that General Morgan's countenance
of such practice was the one thing which
prevented HIM from entertaining an other
wise unqualified admiration OF thai officer.
He said he prayed daily and nightly that his
comrades might he forgiven for it, but inti-
they would be- He concluded by asserting
, that 1t was the great national sin, on account
of which the Southern Confederacy would be
destroyed, If 1t was fated to fall.
, Ray prudently let the matter drop, inas-
, much as the parson had got warmed up al
J most to the fighting point
On the next day the parson was compelled
to have his horse sbod, and the clumsy smith
t pricked one hoof so badly that the animal in
few hours went dead lame. This was a Sc
rious matter under the circumstances, and
( both Dan and the parson became very anx-
= | ious and apprehensive. just when they had
!, about concluded 10 retrace their steps to a
y point far in the rear, whore the parson might
procure remount-a proceeding which
would have involved unfortunate and per-
r haps dangerous delay-a well-to do looking
n man came riding down the road on y remark
q ably fine horse The sight OF such a horse
q was enough to make a cavalry mans mouth
y water, and reduce a scruple II he had one, to
= an infinitesimal degree. The parson looked,
3 longed, and let down. 1t was predestined,
of he felt, that he should have that horse.
Y He gracefully opened the preliminary con-
0, versation to the 'swap" he had already dc
"a termined on by saying
- "That's mighty likely horse you're riding
" sir-a mighty likely horse"
N "Yes," was the response, 'he's righ
,e peart nag"
al "sound, too, amt her Nothing the matter
of with him p'
"a ''Well, stranger, he's sound from his eye
~ 70 his hoofs Thar amt nothin' soft abou
VI him, If do say 1t myself"
OF ''Thats good chunk OF horse, too,
~, said the parson, pointing to his own. "He'
~ by Denmark, and his dam was by Drennoi
Y. cut OF a Whip mare. He can go all the gait
al when he's we'll, but fool Of blacksmith
=, pricged him this morning"
IN "Pul his shoes OIL and let him stand in tn
vi wet grass"
ie "Ihavent got the time. l am engaged II
so the public service and must go on rapidly
~ =. So Pm compelled to swap for your horse
Ia, You have leisure and seem to be an INTEL
a, | gent man."
pt "The devil you say! Well, stranger
ep you're the drunk est man, to hide it 30 well,
he ever see."
he "Don't use profane language ip. my .pre.
ence," shouted the parsons . M, hsir No !
shin IT. saddles. ron5e Gsftin' much The pe'
+, waiHor % sa NV lore AIM such single-foote
80 harse-for noWi horse, that IL 10 say, ~ you
- he IN yours--in all Kentuck,
(Ss 'niPly words" he continued, as th
I 'poSu7,u., I,arty to the '1swap still protestet
,A.-Tr~ out climb down and shift saddles. YOU
* horse, there, sir, needs attention. Take hir
ia home and doctor him." And he enforce
m obedience by drawing an army Colt
,ar The bargain was concluded; the parse
oi mounted his steed, and the pair pushed oil
'es atter riding some miles in silence, Ray n
he marked very soberly, al haze been ponde
ry ing what you said yesterday, parson, abol
of horse pressing, and I'm compelled to adm
! , | that you were right l am satisfied that
cannot be defended or -"
,u- "Dan Ray" broke in the parson quietl.
he but with very significant emphasis 81 don
'iit want to hear you discuss matter you don
ite understand. Your mind hasn't been traine
asst to consider questions of this nature and
e. | draw proper distinctions. That matter bac
~ yonder wasn't case of 'horse-pressing.'
en was a compulsory trade, made necessary
OK the unsettled condition of the times an
country and because the laws regulating II
making and enforcing of contracts are rath'
to silent Just now. / could demonstrate tn
elk without the least difficulty to any assembl
be | accustomed to the discussion of such que
tions. But IL you ever allude to 1t again II
hang in your pcol "'-FrOm the Soather
Biu0udc.