The Parker post., 1918-02-23
How the Bet
Was Won
By SADIE oLcoTT
Copyright. 1917. Western Newspaper Union.


practice their profession on an unsus-
pecting public were sitting over a late
supper discussing problems that had
mystified physicians for hundreds Of
years. They passed from one prob
lem to another falling last on insanity.
II believe" said Doctor Meriweather
to Doctor HOtchkinS, "that there are
many persons confined in lunatic asy-
lums' who are as sane as am"
"Quite likely" replied Doctor Hotch-
kiss facetiOusly.
"Humph," replied Doctor Meriweath-
er, ''Pll bet you that can get myself
put in an insane asylum simply by ask
ing questions of strangers in which
there is nothing impossible or improb-
able"
There was a discussion between the
two doctors as to what would be con-
sidered impossible, at the end of which
bet of ten dollars was made between
them, the money to be spent on din
ner, that Doctor Meriweather would
get himself locked up for insanity.
When he was ready for the trial he no
titled Doctor Hotchkiss to be at GER
tain place on a certain day and hour
that he might see for himself that the
bet was won fairly.
A few days later Doctor Meriweather
stood on the sidewalk of a compare
lively unfreQuented street, and Doctor
Hotchkiss sat on the porch of an un-
occupied house within few yards Of
him. Presently woman came by
pushing baby carriage. Meriweather
accosted her.
"YOu haven't seen house going by
here lately, have your" he asked.
The woman looked at him with
puzzled expression.
"a houseY she repeated.
"Yes, small frame house, painted
gray, green blinds, lace curtains porch
in front and small addition in rear"
The woman instinctively placed her.
self between the doctor and her child,
and went on-slOwly till she had got
some distance from him, then as rap
idly as she could go, fear evidently
squirting her on.
The next passer was man, of be-
neyolent cast Of confidence. Doctor
Meriweather accOsted him.
"My friend" he said, "have you seen
a woman and couple of children go
by here?"
"NO, I have not, SIR" said the man
politely, pausing to learn if he could
be of service.
'They were riding; riding in house
painted gray"
"You mean in an auto or carriage"
said the gentleman.
mo, I don't; 1 mean house,
gray house, with green blinds and lace
curtains in the windows"
The mans face changed from a be-
nevolent to serious expression.
"The woman" the doctor continued,
"was trying to keep the children quiet,
but there was nothing to get excited
about; the house was not running
away; it was going very slowly"
II am afraid | can't assist you in
finding these persons, my friend" said
the gentleman. "Good-day, sir" And
he passed on. Doctor Hotchkiss heard
him mutter: "Poor fellow"
81 see your game" said Hotchkiss to
Meriweather, "but you can't get your
self put in bedlam in that way; the
world is cold; they'll all leave you to
take care Of yourself, even if you are
mad"
wait" was Meriweather's reply.
The next person was an elderly lady.
Meriweather put the usual questions
Like the last person he had tackled,
she supposed that he meant some sort
OF vehicle; but he corrected her, and
added that he was fearful that the oc-
cupants of the house might be burned
alive, since the chimney was shakey.
The woman seemed Immediately to
take deep interest in one who had
evidently lost his reason. She asked
him if he would not go with her to q
place where he would have attention.
MADAM" he replied, "you think me
crazy. I am perfectly sane"
The woman passed on, shaking her
head negatively.
Doctor Meriweather was beginning
to fear he would lose his bet, when he
saw a policeman coming.
"What are you doing here?" asked
the cop authOritatively.
waiting for some people to come
By, riding in a frame house,"
"You're the man I've heard about
from several persons. Come along.
It's not my business to leave such as
you loose. You might hurt some one"
Meriweather protested that he was
perfectly sane, but policemen are used
to all sorts Of stories from those they
take off the street, and led him away.
Calling a "black maria," he put the
doctor in it and drove him to an in
sane asylum. HOtchkiss called q cab
and followed. When his friend was
taken into an asylum and was exam
ined by the doctor in charge. Hotch-
kiss was present, but said nothing
FINALLY MnriWoafhor Uac fold ha ,uo,,Jd