The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1892-12-21

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clergyman, tugging at the reins with all
his might.
But it was all of no avail. Old Nor.
gan had now reached ahead of all com.
petitors, and he came up to the judges
stand, three rods ahead, where the pet
rified deacons were standing With eyes
and mouths wide OPEN
"Dun't STOP" cried the judge, who had
now recognised Parson Ridewell, and
suspected his business, and who also saw
at once into the secret of old Morgan
joining the race. Don't stop" he shout
ed again; lit is a two mile heat this
time. Keep right on, parson. You are
good for another mile. Now you GO
and off it is l'
These last words were of course known
to the horse, and no sooner did Morgan
hear them, than he stuck out his nose
again, and again started of The poor
parson did his best TO stop the hewiGched
animal, but it could nos be duue. The
more he struggled and yelled the faster
the animal went, and ere many moments
be WAS again at the starting point, where
Morgan now stopped of his cwn accord.
There was hurried whispering among the
wicked ones, and succession OF very Gu
rious winks and knowing mods seemed to
indicate that they understood.
Upon my soul, parson," said the lead.
er of the atominstion, approaching the
spot where the minister still sat in his
saddle, he having not yet sufficiently re-
covered biz presence of mind TO dismnunt,
"you ride we'll. We had not looked for
this honor"
"Honor, sir !" gasped Ridewell, looking
blankly into the speakers face.
"Ay-for tits an honor You are the
first clergyman who has ever join
ed US in our Sabbath evening entertain
ments."
"I-I, sir. Ijoined you p'
"Ha, ha, ina o, you did it we'll.
Your good deaccns really think you tried
to stop your horse but I saw through
it; saw how slyly yoa put your horse
up. But you need not fear; will tell
all who may ask me about it, that you
tried your best to stop your beast; for I
would rather stretch the truth lille
than to have such g good Jockey as you
are suffer-
This had been spoken 30 loudly that
the deacons had heard every word, and
the poor person was bewildered but he
soon came to himself, and with flashing
eye, he cried:
civilians, what mean you2 Why dc
ye thus ------"
"Hold on" interrupted one of the par.
ty, and as be spoke, the rest of the facing
men had all mounted their horses, "hold
on minute, parson. We are willing to
allow you to carry of the palm, bat we
won't stand your abuse. When We heard
that. you had determined to try if your
horse would not beat US all, We agreed
among ourselves that if you came We
would let you in. We have done 80, and
you have won the race in two-mile
heat. Now let that satisfy you. By the
hokey, you did it we'll When you wan
to try it again, just send US word, and
we'll be ready for yon. Good-by r'
As the wretch thus spoke he turned
his horses head, and before the astound-
ed preacher could utter a word, the
whole party had ridden away out of hear
ing. It was some time before one of the
church men could speak. They knew
not what to cay. Why should their min
ister's horse have joined in the race with.
out some permission from his master
They knew how much he set by the ami
NAL, and at last they shook their heads
with doubt.
TITS very strange" said one.
Very" answered the second.
Remarkable" suggested third.
"On my soul, BRETHREN" spoke Ride
we'll, "I cans make it out"
The brethren looked at each other, ano
the deacons shook their heads in very
solemn and impressive manner.
So they rode back to the clergyman
house, but none of the brethren woulo
enter, nor would they stop at all. Before
Monday had drawn to close, it was gen
orally known that Parson Ridewell raced
his horse on the Sabbath, and meet
ing of the church was appointed fol
Thursday.
Poor Ridewell was almost crazy with
vexation but before Thursday came
Pomp found out how matters stood, anc
assured his master that he could cleal
the matter up; and after days search
he discovered the astounding fact tha
some of those wicked men had been in
the habit of stealing old Morgan from
the pasture, and racing him on Sabbath
afternoon! Pomp found out this
much-but be could not find out who did
it.
As soon az this became known to the
church, the members conferred together
and they concluded that under such cir.
cumstances high mettled horse would
be very apt to run away with his rider
when he found himself directly upon the
track.
So Parson Ridewell was cleared but
it was long while before he got over
the blow, for many were the wicked wags
who delighted to poster him by offering
to "ride race" with him, to ''bet on his
head" or 10 "put him against the world
on race" But IS Ridewell grew older
his heart grew warmer, and finally he
could laugh with right good will when
he spoke of his unexpected race" Pe