The sound of clattering hoofs is heard behind;

Old Mose pricked up his ears and sniffed the air;

The deacon mused: “Some racers, I declare!

Fast horse, fast man, fast speeds the life away,

While sluggish blood is slow to disobey!”

He closed the book; he’d read enough of psalms—

And, looking backward, spat upon his palms,

Then grabbed the sagging reins: “Land sakes alive!

It’s late, Jerushee, guess I’d better drive!”

The wife suspects there’s something on his mind;