American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1856-11-22
TEE APpLE BET.
MAJOR BEN. PERLEY pooRE AND HIS
APPLES IN BOSTON.

Burbank, of Massachusetts, bet a bar
rel of apples on the vote Of that state
at the Presidential election. The loser
was to wheel the apples to the winner,
SO miles the distance. Major Poore
bet that Fillmore would get moro votes
in Massachusetts, than Fremont, and of
course he lost. How he complied with
the terms of the wager, is reported be-
low. 1t is tho richest thing of the
whole campaign.
The telegraph, yesterday, announc-
ed that Major Ben. Perley Poore had
arrived in Boston, with the wheelbar-
row of apples, which he had rolled SO
miles in payment of bet won by Col.
Burbank. ThoBostonTrayelcr describes
his arrival:
Major Poore, with lis wheelbarrow
and barrel of apples, started this morn
ing from Maiden at half past eight
o'clock, amid the good wishes of peo-
pie of all sexes and parties.
He proceeded along at good pace
and by easy stages until he arrived. at
IL o'clock, at the toll house at the fur
ther end of Maiden bridge, when Messrs.
Cutting q Turner, daguerrcotypists, 10
fremont Row, accostcd him andrequcs-
ted permission to take his likeness, en-
costume, as also the counterparts of his
whcelbarrow and his barrel of apples
This request was politely complied with,
and fine picture was secured
The Major then pcrsevcrcd in his
Journey democratic friend having,
paid his toll fare, in consideration prob.
ably, of the advantage derived by his
candidate from the Fillmore party or
ganization. The Major, with only ono
halt, arrived at the weighing machine
on the centre of the bridge, when the
weighing master insisted on his subject
ing him self to the balance. We are
sorry to say that the Major was found
wanting here. Barrow, barrel and all,
the weight was three hundred and six
ty five pounds. The Major weighing
alone one hundred and eighty five
pounds twelve pounds less thau when
he started from home. His heart, how
ever, had not lost fraction of his size,
as was asserted by many present, and
every one thought it time. He was
considerably fatigued-his hands much
blistcred-and his shoulders, where the
strap bearing the barrow crossed them,
are black as ink; yet his courage was
untamed, and he propelled along with
unfagged spirits.
At the Canal Brewery at the Somer-
vile and Maiden Bridge, about hun
dred friends met the Major. One of
whom carried banner bearing the
| words:
''Ben Perlcy Poorc: may his faithful
ness to his pledge be initiated by the
next Administration"
Forming in somewhat irregular
procession, the party preceded the Ma
! Jor to the Main street, Charlestown,
where another crowd was assembled:
and received him with three cheers
The congratulations he received at this
point were gratifying to him, as they
were honest and heartfelt on the part
of the givers.
At the City Hotel there was another
halt, a greater accession of people, and
more cheers, which were repeated at
Jack Wright's; where the Major stop.
ped to obtain glass Of water. From
this point to the Fillmore Head Quar-
ters, on Charlestown square, his pro-
gress was more like that of conquer
ing hero than wheelbarrow man with
load of Poore apples.
The Charlestown Fillmore Club had
here provided refreshments, and large
company were assembled to d, Major
Poorc honor, among whom we saw men
of all political parties participating.
The health of Major 'Poorc was Civ
en- and was loudly responded to. In
turn he gave the health of the next
President of tho United States, whom
all were bound to honor. Sundry
friendly toasts were given, after which
the crowd outside demanded sight of
the wheelbarrow man. lie went out
and spoke briefly to the people assem-.
blcd--saying that his grandfather had
travelled from Newbury to Bunker Hill
in one day; and it would be singular
that he himself should fail to wheel
his barrow in fulfilmont Of an honora.
bic wager, the same distance in three
days.
Further proceedings took place Of
little importance, when the Major took
| up his borrow again, amid three cheers