The Bessemer indicator., 1893-06-17

o keen one" shouted one 81 the
wicked men, who had thus far man
aged to keep close by the side OF the
parson. You ride we'll"
"Who-ho-ho-o-o! who-a-oa!" yelled
the clergyman, tugsing at the reins
with all his might
But it was all of no avail. Old
had now reached ahead of all
competitors, and he came up to the
judges stand three rods ahead. where
the petrifcd deacons were standing,
with eyes and mouths vide open.
"Don't stop" cried the Judge, who
now recognized Parson Ridcwell. and
suspected his business. and who also
saw at once into the secret of old
Morgan's joining the race. Don't
stop" he shouted again; ..it is two
mile heat this time. Keep right on,
parson. You are good for another
mile. Now you go-and off it isl
These last words were of course
known to the horse, and no sooner
did Morgan hear them. than he stuck
his nose out again, and again started
off. The poor parson did his utmost
to stop the bewitched animal, but it
could not be done. The more he
struggled and yelled, the faster the
animal went on, and ere many mo-
ments he was again at the starting
point, where Morgan now stopped OF
his own accord. There was hurried
whispering among the wicked ones,
and succession of very curious
winks and knowing mods seem to in
dicate that they understood
Upon my soul. parson," said the
leader of tho abomination, approach
ing the spot where the minister still
sat in his saddle, he having not vet
sufficiently recovered his presence of
mind to dismount. ..you ride well.
We had not looked for this honor"
"Honor, sir." gasped Ridewell,
looking blankly into tho speakers
face
"Ay-for It's an honor. You are
the first clergyman who has ever
Joined us in our sabbath evening en-
tertainments. :"
Ill, sir! joined you2"
''lla, ha, hal o, you did it we'll
Your good deacons really think you
tried to stop your horse; but saw
through it; saw how slyly you put
your horse up. But | don't blame
you for feeling proud of old Morgan,
for | should feel SO myself if | owned
him. But you need not fear; ! will
tell all who may ask me about it that
you did your best to stop your beast;
for ! would rather stretch the truth
little than have such a good jockey
as you are suffer"
This had been spoken so loudly that
the deacons had heard every word
and the poor pastor was bewildered;
but he soon came to himself. and with
flashing eye, he cried
"Villains, what mean you' Why
do ye thus
"Hold on" interrupted one of the
party. and as he spoke, the rest of
the racing mon had all mounted their
horses, "hoid on moment, parson.
We are willing to allow you to carry
off the palm, but we won't stand your
abuse. When we heard that you had
determined to try ii your horse
would not beat us all, we agreed
among ourselves that If you came we
would let you in. We have done so,
and you won the race in two-mile
heat. Now let that satisfy you. BY
the hokey. but you did it we'll. When
you want to try it again, just send us
word. and we'll be ready for you
Goodbye
As the wretch thus spoke, he
turned his horses head, and be-
fore the astounded preacher could
utter word, the whole party had
ridden away out of hearing 1t was
some time before one of the church,
men could speak They knew not
what to say. Why should their min
ister's horse have Joined in the race
without some permission from his
master? They knew how much he
set by the animal, and at length they
shook their heads with doubt.
at is very strange" said one.
Very" answered n second.
"Remarkable." suggested third
"On my soul, brethren spoke
Ridewell II can't make it OUT
The brethren looked at each other,
and the deacons shook their heads
in very solemn and impressive
manner.
So the party rode back to the cler-
gyman's house. but none of the brcth
rem would enter, nor would they
stop at all. Before Monday had
drawn to n close. it was generally
known that Parson Ridewel raced
his horse on the Sabbath, and
meeting of the church was appointed
for Thursday.
Poor Ridewell was almost crazy
with vcxation, but before Thursday
came, Pompey found out how matters
stood. and he assured his master that
he would clear the matter up; and
after days search, he discovered
the astounding fact that some OF
those wicked mon had been in the
habit of stealing old Morgan from
the pasture, and racing him ON Sab
bath afternoons! Pomp found out
this much-but he could not find who
did it!'
AS soon as this became known to
the church, the members conferred
together, and they soon concluded
that under such circums tanccs high
mettled horse would be very apt 10
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
i'm IN ,.hot nm b;c hand ,, n, ~, ,,,,,t
him against the world on race"
But Ridewell grew older, his heart
grew warmer, and finally he could
laugh with right good will when he
spoke of his unexpected race Be