Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-09-23
The Fentriloquest NoDpIussed;
o R, A BET FAIRLY WON.
BY scALPLocK

s@as by scALPLoeK. ~~ .a :
e 1t was many years ago, prior to the
Revolutions when the good old .zaws of
hanging people, for numberless crimes for
which short imprisonment answers now
a-days-were in full vogue, that a small
party were gathered, one bright moonlight
night, in an eating cellar in the City Of
New York, around an old table, from
which the steam arose to the ceiling, as it
left the surface Of large dish of soup set
in the centre. The party appeared in a
merry humor, and as three noted charac-
ters had that day swung from the scafold,
the topic of the conversation naturally
turned upon the execution. .-...s........'
3Old Jake died game at all events" said
one of the men '-
f'I'm afraid that's morn you'll do,' re-
torted another. .>. <s .1a az
81 don't fear death in any shape" re-
piled the first speaker. .--.
"You don't, hey?" suddenly chimed in
third person.
fsNo, don't, nor can't be scared either"
was the Dragging answer. e ssa- :, ..
ssYou can't, hump allow me to doubt
that, will you?" sneered his opponent.
eff you don't believe it, you are freely
privileged to test me, but, mind YOU, the
consequences be on your own head, not
mine. f. ... -.-... s..-.--,. 3 --... .. E. 8
@'Well, we'll see. You don't fear dead
people, do you?''
ftNot so much as living ones -
''Very well. Now then, I'll bet YOU
twenty dollars, that you darn't go down
to the scaffold and feed one of the men,
hung to-day, with some hot SOUP, III.
'@Ars you in earnest?" ......
"Never more SO in my life; there's the
money-let's see you cover it. !" 7i
The boaster put his hand in his pocket,
drew forth a well-flled wallet, and placed
twenty more dollars upon the table. F.
"Then you take the bet?" exclaimed his
opponent, in surprised voice.
81 do. Let George hold the stakes.'
= The prellminaries were soon all arranged,
and with bowl Of soup and spoon, the
boaster took his way to the scaffoId.
| Now it SO happened that the person with
whom he had bet was yentriloquist, and
no sooner had he left the house, than his op-
ponent also departed taking short by-way
to the scaffold, by which means be reached
the place three or four minutes in advance
Of the soup feeder, and getting under it,
took his station behind one of the posts land
waited his coming. In few moments the
.bragger appeared, and when at the foot of
the steps be looked cautiously around him,
and then quickly ascended, and stood be-
side one of the eorpses. The wind moaned
and the chains creaked as the bodies swung
to and fro, but without hesitation the boaster
seized the spoon and raised it, full of soup,
| to the dead mans lips. Now was the
ventriloquist's time.-As the handle of the
spoon was raised, the corpse suddenly ex-
claimed, in sepulehural tones Of the dead
cts hot!" - e-s. e.. s.s.ss.zsa
swell, darn you, blow 1T hen!" was
the instant retort of the feeder, as he cooly
lowered the spoon, descended the scaffold,
and took his way back to the cellar.
The ventriloquits also made tracks for
the same place, fully testified that the bet
had been fairly won, and swearing that
after what had taken place that night, his
opponent might brag as much as he pleased,
but he wouldn't get another wager out Of
/ him. =7= ezL@g 81 --y aL=ft Fl. z+ t.N :.