ECCENTRIC WAGER.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 212, 18 September 1879, Page 4

ECCENTRIC WAGER.

For an "eccentric wager, the strangest was one laid at the beginning of the present century. The sum staked was

only five shillings, but the interest was very great when the terms of the bet were made public. It was a contest between two men as to which should succeed in adopting the moat singular and original costume. The rivals appeared in the Castle Yard in York, and submitted themselves to the jury who were to decide the question. One had his coat trimmed with bank notes. Tenguinea notes formed the lapels and pocket-flapa, and five-guinea notes the waistcoat and collar band. His hat was trimmed with notes ; he wore a purse full of gold coin as an ornament on the brim of it, while a paper was pinned to his back, with the words "John Bull." His rival seemed to have shown less wealth, but more ingenuity. One-half of bis body was dressed like a woman, with petticoat, a silk stocking and a slipper, his cheek rouged and heightened with patches ; the other half was that of a negro, woollyheaded, black-clieeked, and booted with spura. There could be little doubt which ought to have gained the victory, and yet the fire shillings was won by the wearer of the bank notes.