The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1902-11-14


carry, sport of every sort was my de-
light. 1 fought cocks, gained, threw
dice, made and rode matches"-
''What? You" Lawson cried.
The parson bowed his head.
even me-" he said. Now you must
see that the power which plucked me,
brand from the burning, can, if only
you will let it, as certainly pluck you"
For almost a minute Lawson looked
at the parson, his lips opening and
closing, as though uncertain whether
to speak. At last he said:
Mr. Gentry, may ask question Of
the man you were before you became
q minister?'
The parson smiled indulgently. "Ask
what you choose" he said. 81 will
answer truthfully if answer at ALL"
"Then tell me this" Lawson said:
do you really care nothing now for
the things you gave up? 1 mean don't
you ever banker after forbidden things
-yearn to be free, even riotous?"
1.-THE carnal mind is at enmity to
God" the parson quoted softly. Then
he added reverently: "God gives us
new hearts, but it takes his grace, and
very much of it, to keep them pure
and steadfast. The old Adam dies
hard in every one of us. We keep him
under only by help Of a strength be-
yond our own"
there were no race tracks" Lawson
said tentatively.
eyes, l would" the parsop said
sharply. "a good horse in full action
is to me the finest sight in the world.
! love good horse just for itself. I
do not mind confessing to you, though,
that when one Of mine wins / have
quite the same thrill of delight that
came of winning on anything back in
the old sinful days-that is to say, am
human and man. A man must con-
tinue until this mortal shall have put
on Immortality
"Say, parson," Lawson broke in IT.
relevantly, lis it true what I've been
hearing-that If Blue Bonnet wins the
Fourth of July stake you intend to
build new church with the purseY
"Quite true. Why do you ask" the
parson said. "You must know that all
I win goes to help spread the gospel"
Because want to give you chance
of doing something more for your
faith" Lawson said. "We both know
that to win you've got to beat my mare,
RoXane. It's the same as match.
None of the other three really counts.
Now, since owners or owners friends
must ride, why should not we two ride
against each other, and IL I win you
agree to give me Peggy without condi-
tions; if you, agree to do my very
best to get religion"
impossible, impossible! Whoever
heard of such a thing?" the parson
said. But Lawson saw his eye sparkle
and quick flush leap into his cheek.
The parson was essentially Christian
militant. Back in the old days he
might have led rapturous crusade.
Lawson pressed undismayed:
why is it impossible? Unusual,
grant, but so it is unusual to see a
minister's colors on the track and race
track money on the missionary plate.
l thought you ministers held nothing
too hard If it meant saving soul from
DEATH
81 do not" the parson said quickly.
Lawson ran on:
'It won't be exactly easy for me- Ev-
erybody knows me for an unbeliever,
as my father was before me. Every
body will be sure to say am rank
hypocrite. pretending to care for find
ing and saving my soul only that l
may get Peggy"
"Do you mean-would you make the
conditions publicY the parson cried.
Lawson nodded.
"They would have to be-" he said.
"Neither of us can afford to play ex-
cept with cards above the table. Ex-
cuse the phrase, parson, but you un-
derstand it,
'Yes. l understand" the parson said,
smiling; then, with a keen look: you
must love my girl, Lawson. l cannot
let you say you love her better than
love my God. You shall ride for
sweetheart. for soul. may be mis-
judged by my fellows. The searcher of
all hearts will know that l seek only
his glory"
The Fourth of July was stake for
four-year-olds and upward, four miles
and repeat. The repeat generally elm
mated everything not aged, even in
that good time when horses were bred
not merely to run, but to stay. The
grass country was full of blue blood.
Sons and grandsons of Sir Archy. of
Diomed. of the great Eclipse, had come
early over the mountains, had thrived
on lush blue grass and running lime
stone water and had left behind lus-
ty progeny. On top of that there had
been direct English importations of
more than one prepotent Derby win
ming strain. Then a good few of the
pioneers who had the luck to be friends
with Mr.. Jefferson and Mr.. Madison
through the good offices of those gen.
tlemen when they came to be presi-
dents had brought in sprinkle of pure
bred Barb and Arab mares.
The elder Cooke, Lawson's father,
had been among the bringers in. Law
sons pride. Roxane, was great-grand-
daughter to one of the Arab mares and,
like her ancestress. of pure cream
white, with silver white name and tail
and ivory hoofs. She stood barely an
inch over fifteen hands at the withers,
had a deem roomV chest tremendous