Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 March 1877 — incident In the life of a Famous Sportsman. [ARTICLE]

incident In the life of a Famous Sportsman.

The London Examiner relates the fol. lowing anecdote of the late James Merry, the English sportsman, iron-master, millionaire" and member of Parliament: “ A favorite pastime of our hero, in his early days, was the pitting of a dog against a badger. He and his chum in sport, who became his partner in business, procured a celebrated badger that had never been drawn by any dog. Some Edinburgh sportsmen, however, sent a challenge, and backed their dog against the badger for what in those days was esteemed a heavy amount, the sum of SSOO. “ The owners of the badger accepted the bet, and the fight was to come off at Linlithgow, half way between Glasgow and Edinburgh, on a certain day. To the horror of our sportsman and his chum the badger died, and died on the day just before the day on which the affair was to come off. To one of them the SSOO was a dead loss; but to the other —who knew that there was hope even when the signs of life were gone—there was something yet to be done— as we know well enough there always is to them who have a heart for anv fate. So he took the dead badger, placed him in the well-known box, proceeded to the trysting-place, prepared, if possible, to save if only a portion of the money now forfeited.

“On arriving at Linlithgow, the men of the defunct badger had their hearts relieved by learning that the dog men bad come, but had not brought their dog with them; the warrior, however, would not fail to appear the next day. Ibis was accounted an opportune moment by the companion of our meriy-hearted hero to propose aeompromise. The merry one bade his friend keep his own counsel, or wait to hear what the dog party might say. They dined together, the all-subduing and melting influence of the much-desired Clyneleish brand promoting good-fellow-ship and good-will. “ The dog party began to hint at drawing the bet, rather than trying to draw the badger. A kick under the table from his friend intimated the anxiety he felt to close st once with any terms that might be offered. The kick was responded to by another still more vigorous. Finally, the backers of the dog oflered fifty dollars to cancel the bet. Kicking was again renewed, but our hero remained Ann, like Horatius, who kept the bridge so well, steadfast still in mind. It was at length agreed that the dog party should forfeit three hundred and seventy-five dollars. The bank-notes were handed over, and the momentous questioa was settled. « «I’m thinking we’ve got the better o’ ye this time, Jamie; oor dawg’s got the mange.’ “ ‘ I'm no sae sure about that,’ replied the other; ‘ our badger’s dead!’ ” —The late Rear-Admiral Alden was perhaps the only American naval officer who ever dined with Queen Victoria. One summer, a few years ago, happening tebe passing the Isle of Wight, he noticed the royal standard floating from the tower of Osborne House. He at once sailed up a little nearer the shore, getting his ship •ground, - and saluted the Queen. She soon sent an invitation to the Admiral to dine with her* and he accepted. _