Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1920-02-10
How the Bet
Was Won
b. SADIE oLcoTT

I(copyright 1917, Western Newspaper Union.l
Two young doctors who had recent-
ly been let out of a medical college to
practice their profession on an unsus-
pecting public were sitting over a late
supper discussing problems that had
mystided 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, 'sthat there are
many persons confined in lunatic asy-
1ums' who are as sane as I am"
quite likely" replied Doctor Hotch-
kiss facetiously.
"Humph," replied Doctor Meriweath-
er. I'm bet you that I 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
a 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 certain day and houl
that he might see for himself that the
bet was won fairly.
A few days later Doctor Meriweathel
stood on the sidewalk of compare
lively unfrequented street, and Doctor
Hotchdss sat on the porch of an I'm
occupied house within few yards Of
him. Presently woman came BY
pushing a baby carriage. Meriweathel
accosted her.
You haven't seen a house going b!
here lately, have you2" he asked.
! The woman looked at him with 9
puzzled expression.
"a house?" she repeated.
Eyes, 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 a be
nevolent cast of confidence. Doctor
Meriweather aceosted him.
my friend" he said, shave you seer
a woman and couple Of children e
by here?"
mo, I have not, sir" said the MAJ
politely, pausing to learn If he coult
be of service.
''They were riding; riding ina house
painted gray"
"You mean In an auto or carriage
said the gentleman.
mo, don't; / mean a house, Il
gray house, with green blinds and lac,
curtains In the windows"
The mans face changed from be
nevolent to serious expression.
'sThe woman" the doctor continued
twas 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"
81 am afraid 1 can't assist you II
finding these persons, my friend" sait
the gentleman. "Good-day, sir" AND
he passed on. Doctor Hotchkiss heard
him mutter: "Poor fellow"
II see your game" said Hotchkss tt
Meriweather, "but you can't get your
self put in bedlam in that way; thu
world Is cold; they'll all leave you II
take care Of yourself, even If you ar,
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 sor
of vehicle; but he corrected her, ant
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 t,
take deep interest in one who hat
evidently lost his reason. She asket
him If he would not go with her to ,
place where he would have attention
Madam" he replied, 'you think mi
crazy. am perfectly sane"
The woman passed on, shaking he
head negatively.
Doctor Meriweather was beginning
to fear he would lose his bet, when b,
| coU a y,o1;oornop nopnfpo
"What are you doing here?" aske'
the cop authoritatively.
waiting for some people to COM
by, riding In frame house."
You're the man I've heard abou
from several persons. Come along
| It's not my business to leave such a
you loose. You might hurt some one
Meriweather protested that he wa
perfectly sane, but policemen are use'
to all sorts Of stories from those the.
take off the street, and led him away
| Calling a "black maria," he put tn
doctor In 1t and drove him to an In
sane asylum. Hotchkiss called a cal
and followed. When his friend wa
taken into an asylum and was exam
ined by the doctor in charge, Hotch
kiss was present, but said nothing
Finally Meriweather was told he woul'
be held for further examination.
'That'n do" said Hotchkiss. "You'v
won the bet" and he told the story o
how, Meriweather had done 1t, an
proved the identity Of himself and hi
friend as recent graduates of the Col
lege Of Physicians.
Meriweather had learned' that a pei
| init had been granted to move hous
through the street on which he ha
taken his stand, and that the famil
would remain in it during the remova
| The house doctor was invited to pai
take Of the dinner to be given by tn
winner Of the bet.
- n cTNDIN