Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1880-04-20
BEN .pERLEY PooREs WAGER.
AN ELECTION BET WHEN PIERCE WAS A
CANDIDATE.

CANDIDATE.
Major Ben. Perley Poore is q CORE
spondent of several New England papers.
and regular contributor TO the atlantic
Monthly. His life has been an eventful
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 a
frequent guest of Gen. Burnside. His
round form and ford complexion tell that
he is high liver. He is short in stat
ure, and weighs 27O pounds.
In conversation the other day, his wife
related an old story of her husband,
which is, perhaps, familiar to many OF
the older readers of the advertiser. Dur
ing Pierce's canvass for the Presidency.
Major Poore, then young man, wagered
with 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
distant, 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 Major
was too conscientious to do that, and
insisted on fulfilling his wager. He went
to neighboring farm and bought the
fullest barrel Of apples to be had. Wit
nesses saw that the barrel was well and
closely packed. He put on a pair OF
snuff colored pants tucked into his heavy
farm boots. velvet vest, a jacket and
large red felt hat some one had sent him
from California. Thus arrayed, he start
cd a, daybreak for Boston. wheeling his
heavy load on a wheelbarrow. His wife
sent man with wagon after him, so
that in case he gave out there would be
some one at hand to help him. After
the sun was up the country people began
to pass him as he trudged along, perspir-
ing and dusty. Each one offered him a
lift or tried to persuade him to give up
the job. He kept on fifteen miles, tired
and sore, then he concluded TO put the
apples in farmers barn and 90 back for
the night, and start afrcsh the next
morning. lie rode home and was glad
TO rest. He was sore and bruised, bu,
after a good rubbing 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 meet him. Boys followed
him and women stood at their doors TO
see him go by. There was great excite
ment, and the news soon travelled to Bos
ton. 1t reached the ears Of the author
tiles. They sent him word not TO enter
the city in the evening, but to stop out
side and come in the morning. A few
miles from Boston he stopped over night.
The next morning on the outskirts of the
city he was met by large crowd of
people and brass band. He was escort
ed through the principal streets Of the
city to his friends home, and from there
to the fremont House to 5000 break
fast. He had accomplished his feat and
was amply repaid by the reception and
breakfast given him by the city author-
ties. 1t was many days before he could
appear without being stopped and asked
if he was the man who rolled barrel of
apples through the streets Of Boston.
The friend with whom Poore made
this wager was Judge r. /. Burbank Of
Boston, proprietor of the White Noun
tain Stock Farm, Shelburne, y. II. Judge
Burbank tells the story with more anus
ing details than are contained in the
above, which appeared in the Portland
advertiser. ED. DEN.