St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-12-03
He Paid His Bet ManfuIly.

AITKIN, Dec. 2.-Yesterday witnessed a
scene such as has never been seen here be-
fore and seldom in the country at large.
About the time Of the Repub lican district
convention for this (Fiith) congressional
district last summer the village postmaster,
Warren Potter, made a bet or agreement
with f. F. Barrett, editor OF the Aitkin Ace,
that in case Blaine was defeated he POTTER
was TO wheel Barrett from the Northern Pa
cihc railroad station in the village of Aitkin
TO the steamboat landing upon the Mississ-
ippi, distant about one mile, in a common
railroad wheelbarrow. Blaine having been
defeated Monday, December l, at p. M,
was mutually agreed upon as the hour Tor the
fulhlment of the bet, due notice Of
the fact having been given.
Promptly at 2 p. N. on the appointed day the
Aitkin Cornet band appeared upon the street,
and marching TO the railroad depot, rendered
4 number Of patriotic selections which were
received with cheers by the crowd, which by
this time included the greater part Of the in
habitants of the village. AT the conclusion
Of their music the two principals in the mat
ter stepped forward, and being called upon,
each addressed the crowd in a few moments
speech. Mr.. Barrett irst stated the cause of
the gathering, and that In the wager he had
not waited 10 see who the Democratic stand
ard bearer might be, but was content TO pin
bis faith TO any Democrat who might
be nominated. He was not ashamed
Of being Democrat II contained as party
some OF the greatest purest and best men of
the nation. II was the oldest political party
in the nation, and had seen the birth aud at
tended the funeral of all of its oppOns nts
he rejoiced in the triumph of the Democratic
party, for II meant a union of all sections OF
the country. Ii meant peace, prosperity and
unity for the whole country. II meant no
north, no south, no east, no west, but a solid
union.
Mr.. Potter, the postmaster, then addressed
the crowd in few remarks such as were
more common in 1868, 20 and 80, and
usually deuominated 'sbloody shirt waving,
alter which ne announced himself as ready
for business.
Placing himself between the handles Of
the wheelbarrOw Mr.. Barrett mounted the
vehiele.and amid the cheers Of the assembled
thrOng the procession began its march up
Fourth street Mr.. Potter wore his usual
plug bat and a pair of gauntlet buck gloves,
and a couutenance well suited 10 4 funeral
occasion. while Mr.. Barrett. with his face
wreathed in smiles, bore aloft the stars aud
stripes with the following inscription ''Cleve-
land wins,so do ], y beneath the Union jack,
while the Cleveland rooster with the EN- blem-
attic 2l9 was upon either side OF the flag.
Arrived At the corner Of Main street
brindle steer led by ''Marr the Tinker"
yoked and carrying Blaiue and Logan ban
ner was attached TO the front of the vehicle
and the procession proceeded, while the
deafening cheers OF the people rent the air.
But the way was long and dreary, and fire.
queut stops were made, for the avoirdupois
of this staiwart Democrat was fully 175
pounds, and the heroic shoulders of the
apostle of "Blsineism" were sroutly taxed
to bold up the weight, albeit the steer fur
nished the motive power. In due season
the river landing was reached and Mr. Bar
rett descending from his seat, called for
three cheers for the man who had
thus beroieally paid his bet, and
falling in line the party returned to the
village. Mr.. Barrett declared il TO have been
the most delightful ride be bad ever taken,
the memory Of which be should treasure as
long IS life should last The lugubrious
countenance Of Mr.. Potter testined the men
tai sacrifice which be was compelled to make.
The scene, taken as a whole, was one long 70
be remembered BY all who witnessed it, and
it is safe 10 say that the measure Of disgust
on the one hand was fully equalled by the
satisfaction of the other