Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1889-04-17
CURIOUS wAGERs.
Examples OF Fools Arguments" Oul
Of the Musty Past.

OF the huSty faSJ-
1t has been remarked that "a collec-
ton OF foolish wagers would make
work." and so odd are
some OF these fools arguments" as
Butler pithily terms them in his "Hu-
libras. that a selection of some OF the
most curious may prove not uninter-
esting.
In club life, the least differ
bet. many remarkable and eccentric
wagers were made.
In 1929 a poulterer of Leadenhal
market betted $50 he would walk 202
times round the area of Upper Moor
fields in twenty-seven hours; and
accordingly proceeded at the rate or
i've miles an hour on the amusing pur-
suit, ito the infinite improvement OF
his business and great edidcatlon OF
hundreds of spectators.
To characterize the follies of the
day IL will be necessary to add to the
account of the walking man another
OF hopping man, whoengaged, Ia De-
1871. to hop 5U0 yards in fifty
hops in ST. James park. He performed
the feat in forty six.
TRIALS OF SPEED.
In February. ITO, a bet was laid by
a noble earl that he should find a mau
who would ride to Edinburgh and back
again to London in less time than an
other noble earl should make million
dots In the most expeditions manner he
could contrive.
In September, 1889, a Colonel Ross
set out from London for YORK, on
wager with Mr.. Plgot of 500 guineas
that he reached his destination in
forty-eight hours on the same horse.
He performed the Journey three hours
within the time.
On the 18th of May, 1917, respect
able farmer of KIrtOn-Llndsey, Tor a
wager of few pounds, undertook to
ride pony up two pair of stairs into
a chamber of the Geois,e inn and down
again, which feat he actually performed
before a numerous company, whose
establishment was heightened by the
rider being upward of eleven stone
weight and his horse less than thirty
stone. They were weighed after the
feat, to decide another wager.
In The Annual Il gister for 1888 we
find the following: "A young Irish
gentleman, for a very considerable
wager. set out on Monday, September
%, to walk to Constantinople and back
again In one year. 1t is said that the
young gentleman has $40. 600 depend
ing on the performance of the exploit"
The Earl or March, on laying bet
that be would cause a message TO be
dispatched a certain distance quicker
than any horse could convey II, won
his wager by inclosing his message in
cricket ball, which was thrown from
hand 10 hand by relays of professional
cricketers. As Duke of QIeensberry,
he betted 1000 guineas that he would
produce a man who would eat more at
"A meal than any one whom Sir John
Lade could find. The duke was in
formed of his success-not being
present at the achievement-by ths
following bulletin from the field of
battle: MY lord, l have not time to
state particulars, but merely to ac-
quaint your grace that your man beat
his antagonist by an apple pie."
BETTING ON DEATH.
at Whites coffee house, where, dur
ing the last century, gaming was car
Tied on to heavy amounts, book was
always laid upon the table for entering
wagers, and in these betting books,
some Of which still exist, may be found
bets on all conceivable subjects; on
marriages, births. deaths; on the dura-
tion OF ministry. on the chance of an
election, on a rascal's risk of the halter
or the shock of an earthquake.
Walpole, writing to Sir Horace
Mann, September l, 1850, says: They
have put into the papers good story
made at Whites. A man dropped
down dead at the door and was carried
in. The club Immediately made bets
whether he was dead or not; and when
they were going 10 bleed him, the
wagerers for his death interposed, and
said II would affect the fairness OF the
bet"
Certain it is that during this period
no subject appears 10 have been too
serious for a bet; and that nothing was
considered too trivial a medium, the
following lines, founded on fact. bear
witness:
The Bucks had dinsi, and deep IN
council sat;
Their wine was brilliant, but their wit
grew fat.
UP starts his lordship-to the window
dies,
And lol "a racel raceI' IN rapture
cries.
.'Where?" quoth Sir John-"Why, see
two drops o. ram
Start from the summit or the crystal
pane;
4 thousand pounds which drop, with
nimblest force,
Performs its current down the slipp'ry
course"
The bets were made; in dire suspense
they walt
For victory. pendant on the nod OF
Fate
Now down the sash. unconscious of the
prize,
The bubbles roll, like pearls from
Chloe's eyes.
But, ahl the glItt'ring JOYS of life are
short;
How oft two iostling steeds have spoiled
the sporti
81. thus attraction, by coerciye laws,
Th' approaching drops into one bubble
draws
Each cursed his fate that thus their
project crossed;
How hard their lot. who neither VOL
nor Iosti