Jasper Republican, Volume 1, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 November 1874 — Anxious for a Bet. [ARTICLE]

Anxious for a Bet.

A young gentleman with a mediumsized, light brown mustache and a suit of clothes, “on accommodating terms” — that- is, on the insecure credit system—came into a hotel one afternoon, and after calling for a glass of Madeira turned to the company present and offered to make a couple of bets, which nobody present seemed inclined to accept. The exquisite glanced around contemptuously and said: “ I want to make a bet of some kind; I don’t care a fig what it is. I’ll bet any man from a shilling's worth of cigars to SSOO. Now’s your time, gentlemen; What do you propose ?” Sipping a glass of beer in one corner of the bar-room sat a plain old gentleman, who looked as though he might be a farmer. Hie set down his glass and addressed the exquisite: “ Well, Mister, I’m not in the habit of making bets, but seeing you’re anxious about R I don’t care if I gratify you. So I’ll bet you a quarter’s worth of sixes that I can pour a quart of molasses into your hat and turn it out into a solid lump of candy in two minutes by the watch.” “ Done,” said the exquisite, taking off his hat and handing it to the farmer. It was a real silk hat, a splendid article, that shone like black satin. The old gentleman took the hat and requested the bar-keeper to send for a quart of molasses. “ The cheap sort, at ten cents a quart; that’s the kind I use in this experiment,” said he, handing over a ten-cent stamp to the bar-keeper. The molasses was brought, and the old farmer, with a very grave and mysterious countenance, poured it into the dandy’s hat, while the exquisite took out his watch to note the time. Giving the hat two or three shakes, with a Signor Blitz-like adroitness, the experimenter placed it on the table and stared into it, as if watching the wonderful process of solidification. “ Time’s up,” said the dandy. The old farmer moved the hat. “ Well, I do believe it ain’t hardened,” said he, in a tone expressive of disappointment;“ I missed it somehow or other this time, and I suppose I’ve lost the bet. Bar-keeper, let the gentleman have the cigars, and charge ’em in the bill,” “ What of the cigars!” roared the exquisite ; “ you’ve spoiled my hat that cost me ten dollars, and you must pay for it.” “ That wasn’t in the bargain,” dryly answered the old gentleman; “but I’ll let you keep the molasses, which is a little more than we agreed for.” Having drained the tenacious fluid from his beaver as best he could, into a spittoon, the man of the mustache rushed from the place—his fury not much abated by the sounds of ill-sup-pressed laughter which followed his exit. He made his complaint at the police office, but, as it appeared that the experiment was tried with his own consent, no damages could be recovered.