Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1888-02-09

BIZ IN PIERCE.

Never before in Danville had excitement ran as
high
As it did on the Gentleman's Driving Park on the
Fourth Of last July:
AS Elder Jones Of the NJ. Z. Church won the race
with his chestnut mare.
Now. Elder Jones was a minister, and gentleman
But he liked horse, and good one, too, and could
drive as well As pray;
The people of Danville knew full well, and the
deacons were well aware
That the Elder proud OF the style and speed Of
his handsome chestnut mare.
They also knew that he enjoyed the sport, for his
honest. smiling face
Was often seen at the driving park, when trot Was
But that he should allow his mare to go in a race" I"
the deacon said,
"And the worst of all to drive himself-he was
plainly out ef his head"
Now this is the way it was brought about, that the
Elder allowed his mare,
To trot for the hundred dollar purse in the green
Ned Wilson, a Wen known horseman. was confident
And persuaded the Elder to let him take the mare
and put her in.
The Elder has broken the mare himself, no other
one to that time,
Had handled the little chestnut mare, or over her
And when the call for the green race came, there
=, were nve that came TO the stand
1t was plain to be seen that the Elders mare wasn't
used to Ned Wilson's hand.
She would show beautiful burst of speed. then
break and run and pace.
And twas dollars to cents that the little mare
couldn't get place in the race.
The Elder seemed getting nervous, as he watched
Ned Wilson drive,
Two heats already trotted out, his mare the last of
the five;
When the call was made for the third heat, you
should have seen the people stare,
AS the Elder nimbly sprang to the seat behind his
chestnut mare.
From the moment he touched the ribbons, she
seemed to just know her place,
And when and where to let out a link, without a
And the little mare won three straight heats in the
finest kind of style,
kind of q smile,
And then it was that the shouts went up and hats
few in the air,
AS Elder Jones of the NJ. E. Church, won the race
with his chestnut mare
But you should have seen the wrinkles end scowls
of the long-faced, solemn set
That were hOrrifed at the Elders course, and in
secret session met;
Sides were taken for and against, and the members
And the other churches they took 1t up, as well as
the old NJ. Z.
1t was give and take with the brothers, there was
shaking anon the bones,
But the good natured smiles still chung TO the
face of Elder Jones,
And when it was learned that the Elder, in his
Had scattered his prize 'mong the needy poor there
wasn't so much to say.
And when next Sabbath morning daWned, and the
church BELLS pealing tones
Proclaimed hour OF worship near, to the different
DanVille homes
"Twas strange how the people seemed to flock to
49, the NJ. E. Church that day.
There wasn't q vacant pew to be found, when the
Elder arose to pray"
And the sermon he preached a clinker-he
touched on church socials and plays,
On lotteries and grab-bag amusements, that
churches allow now-a-day,
And he said that some believed they hurtfui
and some believed they were right.
Some liked the beautiful sunshine, others the gloom
of the night;
To him the world beautiful place, he loved its
amusements and mirth,
And any enjoyments unfettered by sin, bless
ings to us upon earth.
And he spoke in that easy, pleasant way, in such
earnest, honest tones,
That he won their hearts, and from that day they
have sworn by Elder Jones.
Even the long-aced, dOefui crew. that never SEEM
ed pleased before
Have each been seen with q smiling face, they
opened the old church door.
They have learned that religion don't bar man
from pleasant and innocent mirth,
And think some believe that man can be good,
and even have been on earth;
And so in the village of Danville, change has
taken place,
They have found the Elder no hypoclite, and they
like his honest face;
And old and young greet him with smile, as oft
in the morning air,
Elder Jones of the NJ. E. Church "fies'' past with
his pretty chestnut mare.