Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-03-11

Indianapolis Journal MAshingtOn letter.
Among the notables whogather here
every winter is the journalist, Major
Ben. Perley Poore. He is correspond
ent of several New England papers,
and a regular contributor to the At
lantic Monthly. His life has been an
eyentful one, and his warm friendship
for Charles Sumner and other promi-
nent men has closely connected him
With public events. Major PoOre rs q
great diner.out, and a frequent guest
of General Burnside. His round
form and ford complexion tell that
he is a high liver. He is short in
stature and weighs go 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 journal.
During Pierce's canvass for the presi-
dency, Major Poore, then a young
man, wagered with a friend living in
Boston that Pierce would not be
elected. He agreed, if he lost the bet,
to wheel a 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 a task and begged her husband
to have the barrel sent in a wagon.
The major was too conscientious to do
that, and insisted on fulfilling his wa
ger. He went to a neighborlng farm
and bought the fullest barrel of.
apples to be had. Witnesses saw that
the barrelwas we'll and closely packed.
He put on a pair Of snuff. colored
pants tuckedinto hisheayy farm boots,
a velvet vest, a jacket and a large, red
felt hat some one had sent him
from California. Thus arrayed, he
started at daybreak for Boston, wheel.
ing his heavy load ON a wheelbarrow.
His wife sent a man with a wagon
after hin, SO that 10 case he gave cut
there would be some one at hand to
help him. After the sun was up the
country people began to pass him as
he truged along, perspiring and dusty.
Each one offered him a lift or tried to
pursuade him to give up the job. He
kept on for fifteen miles. Tired and
sore. then he concluded to put his
apples in q farmers barn and 70 back
home for the night and start afresh
the next morning. He rode home aud
was glad TO rest. He was sore aud
bruised, but after a good rubbing and
a 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 20 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 t. stop outside
and come in the morning. A few
miles from Boston he stopped over
night. The next morning on the out
skirts Of the city, he was met by a
large crowd Of people and a brass
band. He was escorted by this pro-
c%ession through the principal streets
of the city to his friends home, and
from there to the fremont house to a
5000 breakfast. lie 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 III he was the man
who rolled a barrel of apples through
the streets Of Boston"