The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1877-08-31
An Anccdote Of the Late Judge
Petit.


democratic times, when Ned IIannigan
was candidate for the United States
senate. George Mclaughlin, whig, but
personal friend OF llanmigan. and Judge
Petit went down 10 indianapolis from
Lafayette to clcclio'cer with the mem
bcrs Of the Legislature in his interest
After two weeks pulling and hauling
I iIIannigan was triumphantly elected, but
Mclaughlin and Petit, who had spent
their own money in the fight, were dead
broke and IIannigau was deaf to all
hints. They did not even have money
enough 10 pay their way back 10 Laiay-
cite. n trip which must be made in a
hack in those DAYS, there being no rail-
roads in Indiana. and two days eating
and one nights lodging must be proyl-
,led for as well as the lack hire. AT
last they formed conspiracy 10 make
llnnniean pay their way back without
asking him TO. which was 10 he accom-
piishcd by one of them getting iiannI-
.an 10 make a bet on some proposition,
aud the other to decide against him.
Leaving the opportunity ior getting
! llIamnigan into "A dispute 10 chance. lie
part, started on their Journey one chilly
morning with Mclaughlin and the
driver in front. llannigan and Pcitit be-
hind All went smoothly until hear
noon, indeed too smoothly. for no occa-
sion for dispute arose; when Petit,
who began 10 realise the necessity Of
providing for dinner. seized upon ne
opportunity OF seeing some geese ~ q
field by the roadside, and remarked ~
Il seeming casual manner that they were
a Zine flock Of sheep"
"Shecp." said IIannigan, "wherc
Petit pointed TO the geese. when Han
inighn said, "Why they are geese
We'll, now. guess ] know sheep
from reese said Petit, "and | will het
ivOr the price Of dinner for the party
,that they are sheep
lIannlgan looked at Petit 70 see il he
was Ia his right mind and said, III take
that bet"
~who will you leave il to-" said
Petit.
Lets leave il 10 Mclaughlin said
lIiannigan.
4 "All right said Petit.
"Gc0rgc, what DO you sec right ovci
there in that fied?" asked ilannigan
lpvnting 10 tile geese.
Mclaughlin. who pretended 10 have
heard nothing 81 the dispute in his rear
|pui his hand TO his eye ~ imitation Of 4
spy-glass and answered. "Well, see a
} flock OF sheep let me see one. two
three. ivui well guess iiiiy or sixty oi
them"
\ IIanmigan could not understand just
what Kind Of game was being played
lby Petit and McI-angllin. bur said
nothing, settled the dinner bill for III,
party aud no doubt determined 10 keel
lis eyes open in The future.
The party proceeded quietly on thcil
wax until near night. when they had AZ,
Z rived III Il cabin short distance from q
,Dr. MsCausky. who kept d kind Of way
,idc in. known il those days a. the half
way house. where they were 10 take sup
pet. lodging and hrenKfast.
i'ciiit having failed 20 raise dispute
ia any other way. remarked, with ;
. yawn. that their ds, : Journey was ahou
ended ..iliank tic Lord. a. II was no
more than four miles 10 Dr. NcClauskyS "
-Four males. II j. not mile ~ Nc
,Clansky's." said llanninan cmphaticalIy
n Now. look here Ned" said Petit. Z.
think have Travelled this road A. Otter
las YOU have, and imagine know some
thing about the distance; besides n mar
who does not know a flock Of sheer
from flock Of geese, ought not to pre-
lsnmc too much on his knowledge 0
, |other matters; he il liable to be mis-
ttaken."
This nettlcd Hannigan and he replied
with some warmth: Petit, y6n wol
Tho dinner; now III tell you what vii
lido. | will bet YOU tho expenses OF tn
Iparty for tie night. that ii Is not mil
Iron this cabin 10 McClausky's."
"All right; who will you leave il 10?
asked Petit.
.l'Il not leave II to George McLaugh
lin said Hannigan, "but we will leav
e.Iit 10 McClausky himself"
"All right" said Petit, who foun,
himself in difficulty from which h
= ''lcould sec no escape. But Mclaughlin
r. who had heard every word of the con
r reslvcrsation, was equal 10 the emergenc,
]. and telling the driver that he was mum
land cramped from riding SO long in III
lcold, and would walk awhile, he jumpc
NJ lout and reached McClausky's in advanC
Iof the hack, which was compelled
lmovc slowly OH account Of piece of co
Iduroy road, and told McClausky th'
There were two locofocas- an
C|IIannigan-co coming in the hack. VII
sIhad bet up. and that he must ~ay
,,elwas four miles back 10 the first cabi
aslundcr all circumstances.
= The hack soon arrived, hearty SUI
\" lpcr was eaten, and, after having warm,
OoIihcmselvcs before huge, old fashion,
20 fireplace, hcapcd with hickory logs, Il
~ party retired for nights rest, witho