Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1848-03-17
THE FRIENDLY BET.

THE FRIENDLY BET.
Somewhere, though we forget the precise
place, we lately read an anecdote OF rather
strange occurrence which happened, we be-
lieve, in Calcutta The circumstances were
somewhat as foIlows:-A very wealthy old
merchant of that city, celebrated for his hos
pitaIty and good feelings, gave grand ban
quet on bis birth night. Among the guests
were some of his especial friends-one of
whom, although secretly, was much addicted
TO gambling. In the course of the evening,
the old gentleman, either from the heat or from
some other cause, was observed to fall from
his chair, in violent spasms. The .clrcum-
stance. of coures, drew the major part OF the
company around the fallen host-among the
most conspicuous of whom, was his gambling
friend. "He'lI die % said he. "Ihere is no
danger" said a by-stander "Hell die! III
bel lace of rupees he'll dieH' retorted the
other passionateIy. "Done" and ''done,'' and
the bet was made. Some one stopped down
to unite the sick mans neckerchief, when the
friend angrily interposed to prevent him. say
ing GIVE bet he'll die and I'll stand no inter-
ference with my bets - The company around
who, during the occurrence OF this scene had
stood, as it were, petrfed, interiered: the pros
trate man was raised, his neckte Embossed and
air admitted, and in few minutes he was per-
fectly recovered. II is almost unnecessary to
say that he now learned TO estimate his friend
at his true value, and could never sec him
again without recolecting and loathlng his
brutality.
While reading this, we found it impossible
to prevent our mind from revertlng to the con-
duct of the Wings at the present crisis. They
have staked their success upon the occurrence
of disaster 10 their country in the struggle in
which ii is at present engaged; and rather than
be defeated in their schemes of paltry ambl-
ton, they not only refuse to assist themselves,
hut even endeavor to prevent others from u.s.
ing the means necessary TO procure an honor
able and advantageous conclusion 10 our pre-
sent difficulties They have prophesied ruin
and rather than that their predictions should
fail of being verified, they do not scruple, so
far as their public acts may be taken as an in
dex of their wishes, to use every means to
procure this end. Perhaps we wrong them
perhaps they act from the very purest motives
of patriotism but if they do, they certainly
: take very queer way of showing it. Like
, Rory OMoeres dreams, they'' go by contra
RES
The Wing party at present, certainly pre-
, sents the spectacle of gambler who has made
and who, rather than lose his bet, would not
hesitate at being an accessory 10 those msfor-
tunes Like the old merchant, that cute old
chap, Uncle Sam, will be very apt TO arrive
at just appreciation of these kind friends OF
his, and very likely TO reward them according
to their deserts
Mecklenburg Jefersonan, oath uH.
The USED Up N-SOmething A.
/ proprate- following sketch of a g Used
up PoiIician'' is not inappropriate, at this time
c in the State Of Maryland 1t is fom the pen
of the late Joseph c. Neal Ball. Clip.
Peter Brush was in a dilapidated condition
out at elbows, out at knees, out at pockets
and out of spirits, and out in the street-an
&c out and outer in every respect. He sal up
on the curb stone, leaning his head upon his
: hand, his elbow being placed upon stepping
: stone. Mr., Brush had for some time been 81.
d lent, absorbed in deep thought, which he re.
= eved at intervals by splitting through his
t teeth forornIy into the gutter At length
heaving deep sigh, he spoke:
"They used to tell me-put not your trus
in prrces-and havn't. None of 'em evel
wanted to borrow nothing of me, and nevel
see any OF them to borrow nothing of them
! Princes pooh put not your trust in polit
- cioners! Them's my sentiments. There's nc
: two mediums about that. Havn't | been ser
{ wing my COUNT, the i've yeas, like a patrl
:. OF; going to meetings and huzZaing my day
= Lights out, and getting as blue as blazes
havn't blocked windows, got licked fifty
= times carried don't know how many black
a. eyes, and broken noses for the good of III,
= Commonwealth and the purity of legal rights
d :" and all for what? Why, for mix. If an,
: good has come out of it. the country has pu
=, the whole of it in her pocket, and swindlet
= me out OF my earnings ! can get no Office
u Republics is ungrateful! I didn't want no re-
. ward for my services | only want to b.
=, took good care of, and have nothing to do
= Being took care of was the main thing Re
:. publics is ungraeful, I'm swagged if they
amt! | loved my country, and | wanted al
Office didn't care what, so it was fat ant
l. easy. ! wanted to take care of my country
IS and want my country TO take care of me-
l. Head work is the trade I'm for-talkin ing, that
ST my line Talking in the oyster cellars, n tn
e bar rooms, anywhere. can talk all day, on
h y stopping for meals and to wet my whistle
IS But parties is all alike. I've been on all side
! tried em and | know-none of 'em gave M
: anything, and I've great mind 10 knock OF
Y and call it half day
IT Mr.. Cays Withdrauai The Fnankfor
i Commonwealth of Thursday says:-We hav
" seen letter of a very recent date, from
g member of Congress, (not the member from
e this district,) stating that MIR. Clay wouI(
>. certainly withdraw from the canvass for tn
.e Presidency in two or three weeks The gen
- teman did not state how he obtained his in