The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-01-12
HE HAD A GOOD HORSE.
And They Hated to SEQ His Talent,
Wasted.

Wasted.
AT n recent Monday gathering of Method
LIST divines, one of the gentlemen of the
cloth narrated pretty good story of an
ltinerant clergyman i'll the southwest and
ms experiences in II hamlet given over to
the passion of running horses
1t is not many years ago" said the speak-
er, That Clergyman, well mounted. rode
up one afternoon to Il small hotel i'm n little
town i'll Western Tennessee and dismount-
Ell. AS he threw the reins to the stable
boy ana gave some particular instructions
Tor the care OF his horse, he noticed IL half
dozen or so men gazing ntmiringly at the
animal
Entering the hotel. the brother wrote his
name i'll the register without prcfixinp the
abbreviation Rev Then he went TO the
washroom, and was busily engaged in re.
moving the signs of travel when a teamstcr
rushed in and said:
BY the way, Mr.. Blank, will YOU let
your horse run? There's short track right
back here piece, and the moneys up.
With these words he shook in the face of
the astonished Clergyman number of bank
notes
No, sir, replied the minister, with great
dignity. Most assuredly not and then he
turned away and busted himself with other
affairs. Shortly after this the supper bell
rang, and Mr.. Blank, who was strolling up
on the plaza. when he turned to enter the
dining room was met by n courteous stran-
ger, who, addressing him politely, said:
~ hope, sir, you will allow your mare
to run. AS soon rs you rode up this after
noon L offered to bet 800 that she would
cut down anything here, and the money is
up l am judge of horses, and yours is a
pretty piece of flesh. If you let her run.
Pm sure she'll VIM
do you think, sir replied Mr.. Blank,
that it is compatible with my calling to
sanction horse races? Let me inform YOU.
Sir, that am Methodist minister
The man was too much surprised to re-
ply, and the minister went to his meal
Later in the evening the stranger came TO
him, and getting him one side remarked:
You must excuse me, sir, but must apol-
ogiZe. l assure you | was unaware of YOUR
calling and beg your pardon. Nothing
could induce me to knowingly insult a cler-
gyman.'
so am certain, replied the reverend gen
tleman, that no insult was intended, and
therefore no pardon is to be granted.
After that the two spent II pleasant hour i'm
conversation, and the following afternoon
the minister, having completed his GRAND.
rode away
"A few months following Mr.. Blank rode
up to n blacksmith's shop in another por-
ton of the county. After he had dis
mounted the smithy, who had come for
ward, said, Wasn't you at Cross Roads
village with that mare one day last sum-
mer?'
Yes replied the clergyman why do
you ask?'
"Oh, for nothing The boys wanted to
run her, didn't they?'
They did, indeed, but refused my per
mission: am minister of the gospel
well, now said the smith, chuckling
at the recollection, that's all right, preach,
er, but the boys got her out, they did, and
they run her anyway, but l say, preacher,
She beat, she did. She won the money in
as pretty IL race as l ever see'
Judge" said the speaker, in conclusion,
"of the outraged feelings of our reverend
brother when he learned that his horse had
been made to race, without his permission,
by the apologize stranger. Still, there
was one feeling Of satisfaction in that il
had won SO handily."-New York Herald.