The freeman. (Parkersburg, W. Va.) 1886-18??, 1888-10-03
GREET HURDLE RACE.
Two Old Hacks and Blooded Pony Erter
for the Race.

Two Old Hacks and a B1ooded Pony Enter
for the Race.
As looked forth, behold there stretched
before me race course, both straight and
vide, of shining sand, and ending at the
house called White, from whence went
forth the laws that governed all the land.
And at intervals across the track were
hurdles placed, of different heights, to try
the mettle of the steeds, and staying pow
ers of riders. And each had such name
as seemed most fit. The first was built
of boughs of chestnut trees, loose inter
locked, nor did it seem a trying obstacle,
and DER it hung banner, on whose folds
I saw the words, Reform of Civil Ser
vice." And the next l noticed was of
greater height, but less in width and leav-
me- space on either side, and at the top and
bottom marked with but these words, THE
Tariff" But midway the course there
stood fence, of height to try the best of
steeds, and wide it was, and built so
strong that none could pass except by
leaping, and across its width in letters
shat stood out so he who ran might read,
the one word Prohibition.
Now, mid blast of trumpets and shouts
of men, appeared the steeds that were to
run this race, and be who rode the steed
that should first reach the house called
"White," for four full years should rule
the land. And as l looked, | saw that
those who rode each bore banner, and
on each l read, Il am q Temperance man. 4"
And each steed many hostlers had, who
rubbed him down. proclaimed his points,
and looked on him with pleasure. Each
impatient courser stood upon platform
built of planks, from which he eaped
:, Nd 1a;, ~
planks were words of praise of him they
bore and something Of his pedigree. Of
these three horses one was fat and sleek,
and showed his feed, as if to him the
grain box had no lid. But In his eye was
too much white, and too oft were his ears
laid back as boding i'll to him who rode
His legs, too, as he stood, were braced, and
gave the appearance of beast much
used to balk Moreover, there was in
the way he breathed, that said he was not
sound, and on his blanket was his name,
Democracy" The next, steed of thin
ner tanks, as on short rations, but whose
ribs were widely spaced and built to hide
O store CT grain when at the crib he got
again. He had the appearance of beast
that in his day had mada record, but. his
knees. were growing weak and ear and
eye but poorly now performed their mis-
sion He was marked Republican. d"
The third was small, but most compact,
and sound he was in wind and limb a
colt whose years as yet We're few, and sell
dom had he sped the course. But clear
his eye and firm his step, as one not easy
turned aside, and eager he to run the
race. On him his rider sat secure and
firm, nor feared he'd bolt or stumble on
tho way. And prohibition" was the
name in thread of gold, embroidered by a
lady's hand across the blanket that he
wore. At last the word was given
to go" and forth upon the course
they leaped as missiles from a can
mons jaws, and sped them DER the
bounding sands, with necks out
stretched and Gathering hoofs. That
hurdle first disputes their way, of chest
nut boughs, and called Reform" but this
they take with greatest ease, nor slack
their speed, and neck and neck bear down
upon the one marked Tariff" This they
shun, and passing through the spaces left
on either side, appear beyond, with shouts
OF JOY at having thus escaped perchance a
fall
And now before them stands the fence
marked Prohibition" high and wide,
which seeing, both the older steeds grow
ISotINe, AHA Will sldflleu eyes anu up
pricked ears betray alarm. AS near they
come, that called Democracy" plants firm
his feet and stays his speed, nor whip nor
spur can urge him. on, till, being urged
beyond his bent, let's fly his heels and
kicks as though to plant his shoes among
the stars. Then turning tail npon that
thing he hates and fears, betakes him
back. And he who rode perceiving he
had lost control, did in his saddle turn,
that he, though carried back. might face
the way he fain would go
More gentle that one called "Republi-
can For he with constant urging ambled
up to near the fence and made as though
he'd try tho leap, but fearing lest he be
mpaled and run no more, with dropping
Aead and shamefaced air, moved back to
take another start, his rider meanwhile
claiming foul and swearing that his steed
would surely take the fence if once the
colt called Prohibition were withdrawn.
This colt, however, faltered not, but pull
ing hard upon tho bit approached the
fence with rapid stride, and shaking from
his feet the earth, sprang lightly into air,
nor touched he ought of earth again until
The obstacle was passed and he was speed
lng onward to the coal -TsSTE