Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-06-28
"BIack Friday, for Greeley,

About one thousand merchants daily assem-
BILE on change in this city, and, as matter of
course, every foreground topic comes generally
under discussion there. just now, at the duh
time of the year, many of the merchants en-
liyen the hour over political topics, and betting
upon lavorite candidates frequently takes place.
Hats, suits of clothes, money, diamond pins,
steamboats,, and even real estate are often
staked
Yesterday we happened to be standing near
an earnest body of disputants who were banter
ing one another over the probability Of Grant
carrying Missouri. The company seemed pretty
evenly divided in opinion.
'I'll bet a hundred dollars" said one earnest
Greeley democrat, "that Missouri goes for Gree
ley by as large a majority as Illinois does for
Grant"
Make it $780," put in a Grant man, "and
IN cover the bet"
"Donel' Money planked up lnstanter by
both parties.
I'D like 10 make small bet" said a Grant
man, that Grant carries the state OF Missouri"
''How much do you want to bet?" was i'm
mediately inquired
"Name the sum yourself"
Fifty dollars"
''Oh, fifty dollars is no object. You see, my
friend, Pm from the country. Pye come to St.
Louis expressly 10 bet on Missouri for Grant,
and fifty dollars won't pay my expenses.
before any bets are made, III be fair emo
show you my figuring, and then, if any
wants to cover my pile, I'll plank up anywhere
from $500 to $4,000. Amt mite pertickier."
swell, show yer figgersP sang out half a
dozen.
The counuyman produced rather dingy
memorandum book, and read his figures as fol-
lows:
Vote in Missouri for Grant in 1868 .S5,67l
Vote in Missouri for Seymour In 1868 ... .69, 78S
Majority for Grant. ..................25,S3 3
hal
in 1868. Since then you have gained by en-.
lranchisement Of rebels $4,000 votes. We will
allow that 10000 of the Grant German vote OF
the state goes for Greeley, and that's a big al
Owance, and gives you 81 1888 votes for Greeley.
Since 1868 this state has gained IS 900 voters by
immigration. Twenty-Five thousand of this
new vote will 90 for Greeley, which brings the
Greeley vote up to 10000; and let me tell you,
gentlemen, that's every d0g-goned one you'l
get Now for the republican showing. First,
get the Grant vote Of 1868, less 10000 which
makes II 1861. According TO the census of
1870 we have 1900 colored people in Missouri
AT least $4,000 Of these are voters and they will
| vote for Grant. To this add our proportion of
| the new immigration, say 10000, which gives
Grant over 100000 votes in the state. Now
| gentlemen If You want TO bet agin them fggers
| put up your money"
There was pause at this for few minutes,
ana lhen Greeley man family inquired whether
| thc couhtryman would bet ON Grant carrying
tue state by 10000 majority
mo, Stree, BOIL aint so durn green as that,
| Dechuse IL II no way sartin about full vote IL
may be less than | kalkiIate. but ri ,oaI,e a
straight bet that Grant carries the state Of Mis-.
souri, in 1872"
won't YOU name any majority atall2~
swell, if it'll help you out any, IN say 8 600
majority"
there was a consultation among the Greeley
men for a lew minutes, and then one of them
ycntured 20 suggest that the countryman could
| plant" $500 on that proposition.
Come aud see me, boys" and out came the
old red pocket book, and five 500 bills were
counted out in a twinkling
The sum was covered by an equal amount and
a responsible stake holder found and the bet
closed.
The Grant men seemed to gain back bone At
TINS, and hall dozen small bets were immedl.
sleLy made that Missouri would 60 for Grant.