Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-06-11
A Notable Wager.

Among the notables who gather here
every winter is the journalist Major
Ben. Perly Poore. He is correspond
ent of several New England papers,
and regular contributes to the Atlantic
Monthly. His life has been an eveptful
one. and his warm friendship for
Charles Sumner and other prominent
men has closely connected him with
public events. Major Poore is great
diner-out, and frequent guest of
General Burnside. His round form
and ford complexion tells that he is a
high liver. He is short in stature, and
weighs two hundred and seventy
pounds. In conversation, the other day,
his wife related an old story of her
husband, which is, perhaps, familiar
to many of the old readers of the
Journal. During Pierce's canvass for
the presidency, Major Poore, then q
young man, wagered with u friend
living in Boston that Pierce would not
be elected. He agreed if he lost the
bet to wheel barrel of apples from
his home, Indian Hill, thirty miles dis
tant, through the streets OF Boston to
his friends door. The election came off,
and the friend held the major to his
wager. Mrs. Poore thought it too
severe task, and begged her husband
to have the barrel sent in wagon. The
MsJor was too conscientious to do that,
and insisted on fulfilling his wager.
He went to q neighboring farm and
bought the fullest barrel of apples to
be had. Witnesses saw that the barrel
was we'll and closely packed. He put
on pair of snuff-oolored pants tucked
into his heavy farm boots, velvet vest,
q jacket and large red felt hat some
one had sent him from California.
Thus arrayed. he started at day.
for Boston, wheeling his heavy load on
wheelbarrow. His wife sent q man
with a wagon after him, 80 that in case
he gave out there would be some one
at hand to help him. After the sun
was mp the country people began to
pass him as he trudged along, perspir-
ing and dusty. Each one offered him
lift, or tried to persuade him to give
up the job. He kept on fifteen miles,
tired and sore, then he concluded to
put his apples in farmers barn and
go back home for the night, and start
afresh the next morning. He rode
home and was glad to rest. He was
sore and bruised, but after a good rub
bling and nights rest he was able to
proceed with his task. BY this time
the people along the road heard of his
coming and they gathered together to
to meet him. Boys followed him and
women stood at their doors to see him
go by. There was great excitement,
and the news soon travelled to Boston.
1t reached the ears of the authorities.
They sent him word not to enter the
city in the evening. but to stop outside
and come in the morning. A few miles
kS Boston he stopped over night.
ING next morning, at the outskirts of
the city, he was met by large crowd of
people and brass band. He was es-
corted by this procession through the
principal streets of the city to his
friends homo and from there to the
fremont house to 5000 breakfast. He
had accomplished his feat and was
amply repaid by the reception and
breakfast given him by the city author
tiles. 1t was many days before he
could appear without being stopped
and asked "if he was the man who
wheeled a barrel of apples through the
streets of Boston. Washington Letter.