The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-05-01
AN ELECTION WAGER.
The Loser Wheels the Other Man anc
nSets IN, Eve Kegs of Beer.

The Loser Wheels the Other Man and
Sets up Five Kegs Of Beer.
North Broadway, between Salisbury and
Dock streets, was last evening the scene of
& novel procession, which attTac g ! a crowd
Of fully a thousand meh, women and chill
dren. It was the c0nsummation Of an cleo
tion agreement made between Jacob Schaff-
ntt a North Broadway barber. and Henry
Muhs, a saloOn-Becper in the same section.
The barber is g Republican and the saloon
keeper is just as strongly committed to
Democracy, says the St. Louis Post-Dis-
patch. A few days before the election
Schafnitt, who weighs 225 pounds, told
Muhs, who is short, but very stout that the
Democratic candidate for the House of
Delegates in the Sixth Ward was not in the
race. This caused huhs to assert that
Sch0enbeck the Republican candidate, had
no chance Of election. There was consider
able bantering on both sides, and an agree
ment was finally drawn up which Insured a
wbeel0arrow ride for enc or the other
Schaffntt took the Republican side, and
Nuns the Democratic end of the agreement
The Republican candidate won BY scratch,
and when the official count was made con-
6Tming Schoenbeck's election NUNS began
making preparations for his big task.
The band struck up Hail Columbia" and
the crowd yelled louder than before. This
was the signal for the start. The crowd fol-
lowed behind and grew in size as the novel
procession progressed. When Salisbury
street was reached Muhs began to puff and
blow as though he was about to collapse at
any second. He made the turn. however
and clenching his teeth got tighter hold on
the handles and started on the return trip.
He bad made five long blocks without losing
g keg of beer. Before another block was
made, however, the crowd noticed that he
was weakening, and bets were made on his
further endurance. Before the second block
was made a rest seemed inevitable. Great
beads OF perspiTatiOn wese rolling down
NUNS face, and his breathing became more
hbored.
1t was agreed that the ride should be from
Dock TO Salisbury streets and return, dis
tanee Of ten blocks, and that every time the
loser let down the handles to rest he for
feited a keg of beer. Arrangements were
made to have the ride Monday night, but
rain inteIfered and pOstpOnement was had
until last evening.
AS early as I o'clock the crowd began
gathering in front of MuhS' saloon, which
was decided upon as the starting place.
Fifteen minutes later Schaffnitt arrived and
was greeted with cheers by tie Republicans
in the gathering. A brass band came next
and began playing in front of Muhs' door.
This had the effect OF swelling the size of
the crowd, which thrOBged the street and
sidewalks. The barrow was wheeled out
on the sidewalk. decorated with flags and
bunting. with q comfortable spring seat in
side to insure comfort and ease for ths win
ner. The crowd yelled when MuhS got be-
tween the handles preparatory to making
the start He wore look Of determination,
and, after ~ bling his hands in the dirt on
the sidewalk, pretty much in the same fash
ion rs a baseball player when he picks up
the bat, grabbed the handles and said he
was ready.
On the turn Of the next block he droppe d
the handles and took a rest, at the same
time wiping the perspiration out of his eyes.
A minute later he grabbed the handle and
made another start, but it was not long be-
feTe he was forced to make another stop.
When he reached the saloon he had five
stops charged against him, which was equiv
alent to five kegs of beer. The band played
the "COnqueTing Hero Comes" when the
breathless and now thoroughly fagged-ont
salOon-keeper dropped the barrow and the
fat barber in front Of bis door. The five
kegs Of beer were next supplied to Schaff-
Ditt and his friends, and a general good
time followed, all at tie expense of Muhs,
who declares he will not make another
Wbeelbarrow wager in such a hurry.