HOW “CHARLIE” WON HIS WAGER.

Northland Age, Volume 3, Issue 39, 14 May 1907, Page 5

HOW “CHARLIE” WON HIS WAGER.

The Beresfords have the reputation of being a plucky family, and Lord Charles has frequently shown that the family wit is by no means extinct, many of his achievements requiring both courage and cleverness. When, however, hes lordship proposed driving down Rotten-row at' midday, even his most devoted admirers thought the feat impossible. Eventually a gentleman laid an even hundred pounds that the daring nobleman would not carry out the seemingly impossible act. Beresford instantly closed with the offer. It was stipulated that at twelve o'clock' on the following day his lordship should, from the box-seat of his vehicle, speak to the gentleman with whom the bet was made.

Sundry side wagers, of course, wer# made by the friends of both parties, and the result was anxiously looked forward to. At a few minutes to the appointed hour a little group of gentlemen wore leaning on the rails, eagerly watching for any vehicle that might attempt to trespass on th© tan sacred 1 to those indulging iu equestrian exercise. Nothing appeared, however, and the loungers concluded that someone having informed the park officials of the projected arrangement, they had taken precautions to prevent the would-be lawbreaker from carrying out his design. At length the clock began to chime midday. Still, Lord Charles could not be discerned. Just at that moment the driver of a water-cart drew so close to the rails that the majority of the impatient watchers received a thorough drenching.. With one accord the injured parties turned upon the careless waterman, and remonstrated with him in terms more forcible than polite, those who had backed Lord Charles being especially wrath with the clumsy ‘aqua pura’ distributer. "A hundred pounds if you please,” said a voice from th© water-cart, when at length the flow of naughty words ceased. To the astonishment of the bespattered friends they recognised his lordship's voice, and on looking up discovered that individual disguised as the driver.

By judiciously bribing the man. Lord Charles had been allowed to don the usual waterman's clothes, and in this guise had won his bet.