The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1880-07-08
A Notable WAGER.
MA1or hen. Perley POos e-s 13et and How
if Was Tafs.

t Was Fatds
Among the notables who gather hero
every winter is the journalist Major Ben.
Periey Poore. He is a correspondent of
several New England papers, and regu-
lar contributor to the Atta,atic Monthly.
His life has been an eventful one, and his
warm friendship for Charles Sumner and
other prominent men has closely con-
nected him with public events. Major
Peofe is great diner-c,it, and a frequent
guest OF General Burnside His round
form and forid complexion tell that he is
q high liver. He is short in stature, and
weighs two hundred and seventy pounds.
In conversation the other day, his wife re-
lated an old story of her husband, which
is, perhaps, familiar to many of the cid
reader of the Journal During Pierce's
canvass for the Presidency, Major Poore,
then a young man, wagered with friend
living in Boston that Pierce would not be
elected. He agreed if he lost the bet to
wheel -harrel 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 a task, and begged
her husband to have the barrel sent in q
wagon. The Major was too conscientious
to do that, and insisted on fulfilling his
wager. He went to a neighboring farm
and bought the fullest barrel of apples to
be had Witnesses saw that the barrel
was well and closely packed He put on
pair Of snuff-colored pants tucked into
his heavy farm boots, a velvet vest, a
jacket and large red felt hat some one
had sent him from California. Thus ar
rayed, he started at daybreak for Boston,
wheeling his heavy load in wheelbarrow.
His wife sent man with wagon after
him, SO that in case he gave. out there
might be some one at hand to help him.
After the sun was up the country people
began to pass him as he trudged along,
perspiring and dusty. Each one offered
him lift ortried 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 next
morning. He rode home and was glad
to rest. He was sore and bruised, but
after good rubbing and a nights rest
he was able to proceed with his task By
this time the people along heroad heard
of his coming and they gathered together
~ u0oL ulIu- DOyS IOllOWou HILL anu
women stood at their doors to see. him go
by. There was great excitement and the
news soon travelled to Boston. It 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 from Boston
he stopped over night. The next morn
ing on the outskirts of the city he was
met by large crowd of people and a
brass band. He was escorted by this
procession through the principal streets
of the city to his friends home and from
there to the fremont House to a 5000
breakfast. He had accomplished his feat
and was amply repaid by the reception
and breakfast given him by the city
authorities. 1t was many days before he
could appear without being stopped and
asked "if he was the man who rolled a
barrel of apples through the streets of
Boston"