Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1881-04-11
JOHN MACKAY'S GRASS
HOPPER BET.

reading about the jumping Frog of
Calveras," when an idea struck him
that some sort of trick like that would
be splendid thing to ring in on Maui
rice Hoefich, the mining expert. Hoe
fitch is around the office a good deal,
and whenever he takes a lunch with
Mackay he is sure to get in some sort
of dispute and offer a bet. Mackay
don't like betting and frowns it down,
unless he thinks people are trying to
bluff him. At last he determined to
cure Hoefich of his habit, and find
where the weak spot in his armor lay.
One day he saw Hoefich on the
stoop playing with an enormous grass
hopper, which he was teaching to jump.
Hoefich's grasshopper could jump twen-
ty-three feet, and it was not long before
he remarked to Mackay:
"I'll bet you 50 dot you can't find a
hinsect to peet him !"
Mackay bet $40 that he could beat
it, and Hoefich raised him $40 at once
The bet was closed at these figures, and
Mackey said that he would have the
hopper there in day or so. He then
sent trusted emissary down to Carson
Valley to secure contestant for the
winged steed of Hoefich.
The man spent nearly week roam
ing in Carson Valley catching hoppers.
He finally sent an official report to
Mackay, stating he caught over 5000
grasshoppers and put through their
PAGES. The best gait any of them had
was seventeen and three-quarters feet.
He doubted if bigger jump could be
secured. On receipt of the letter the
Bonanza Prince telegraphed to the man
to bring him up anyway.
The next day he arrived with about a
dozen hoppers from Farmer Treadway's S
and Mr.. Mackey gave them quarters in
his room as Vanderbilt would stable his
stud. Each hopper had cigar box to
himself, and every morning they were
taken out and put through their PAGES.
1t was impossible, however, to get one
to jump over eighteen feet, although
all sorts of invigorating food was given
them.
Mr.. Mackay was in despair; but one
morning a hopper shifted at bottle of
ammonia on the table and Immediately
jumped thirty feet. After making new
experiments it was found that one Whit
of ammonia so enlivened the hoppers
that they could make jumps that were
almost incredible. Next day Mackay
announced to Hoefich that he was ready
for the match. The expert was ready
at nine o'clock, an hour before the time,
with his pet hopper. Not finding Mr..
Mackey in he sat down in his study
and there noticed the bottle of ammonia.
While he was examining it Bridget, the
old and faithful domestic of the Gould
& Currie firm, came in with:
Don't be techin' that numonia, Mr.
Hoehich. It's to make MIR. Mackay's
hoppers sprightly. Bedad, | behave, by
the robes of st. Patrick, he's out O his
sinses since the pump broke at the
north ind
Hoefich pumped the domestic anc
soon knew all about Mackays game.
A light broke upon Hoefich grabbing
the bottle he rushed up the street tt
Perkins drug store, threw away th'
ammonia, and ordered the bottle filled
with chloroform. In ten minutes h'
was back, and leaving the bottle wher'
he found it. got out of the place as fas
as he could.
Mackay soon arrived with half doz
en- mining superintendent he had in
vlted up to see him have some fun will
Hoehich.
They were hardly seated when Hoe
fitch came in with the hopper in ciga
box under his arm.
81 vas leetle late, Mackay, but In
here mid der hopper and der coin."
He laid down the money, which wa
covered promptly.
; "Any one else to bet ?"
John Stewart laid down $10O
John Kelly put up $50.
Warren Sheridan stepped IN for S20C
Hank Smith wanted like amount.
Sam Jones had only fifty dollars, bu
he put it up.
, Then few got in the corner of th
/ room and concluded it was shame
rope in Hoefich in that way. and finall
agreed to give the money back afte
; they had won it. Mackay then banter
, ed HoeAich to raise the pot one hundre
, shares of Union Consolidated. Hoe6ic
wrote an order on the broker. and re
t marked
"Dar's 10 limit to de bets, gentleme
de coin speaks"
Nearly every man doubled his be-
and then Mackey got behind Sam Jone
and let his hopper sniff of the ammoni