RANDOLPH’S WAGER.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVIII, Issue XXIV, 12 June 1897, Page 747

RANDOLPH’S WAGER.

The late Lord Randolph Churchill was scarcely less famous as a wit and joker than as a statesman. His colleagues in the House of Commons were oftentimes the victims of his pranks, and many a good story in which Randy figures as the hero is still told in the lobbies. One night (says the New York Sun) while Lord Randolph was conversing with several friends in the cafe attached to the House, a question arose as to the time it would take a pedestrian to cross Westminster B idge. Dif ferent opinions were expressed, but no two of the disputants were able to agree. At length Lord Randolph, who had been a silent auditor of the discussion, offered to wager that be could cross from the Middlesex to the Surrey side of the bridge while * Big Ben,’ the great bell in the clock tower of the Parliament buildings, was striking the four quarters and the hour of twelve. The wager was accepted by one of the members of the company, and it was arranged that at the hour named witnesses should be stationed at each end of the bridge to watch the performance. A few minutes before midnight a select party of well-known members were seen to emerge from a little door near the Speaker’s quarters in the Parliament buildings, and stalk sedately across the bridge. At the farther end the party paused, and was soon surrounded by a curious throng. Several other distinguished legislators soon afterward appeared and politely requested passers-by to keep to the left. Just as ‘Big Ben’ began to strike the first quarter the lithe figure of a man wearing a top bat and evening clothes was seen to leap out of a little group of men on the Middlesex side. Some swaggish friend raised the cry of * Stop thief !' and in a jiffy half a score of wondering men and boys were fast on the heels of the doughty sprinter. A policeman, hearing the cry and observing the fleeing man, started in pursuit. As * Big Ben ’ continued to clang the pace grew hotter and hotter. < >ne by one the pursuers began to fall away, bnt the big policeman hung grimly to bis task. When the centre of the bridge was reached the quarters bad been rung aud the great bell bad already begun to strike the hour. A cheer arose from the watchers on the Surrey side, and Lord Randolph, who had until then been running up an incline, now had the descent in his favour. A few moments later the panting policeman came upon his man, surrounded by admiring friends. ‘What’s up?’ stuttered the breathless and bewildered bobby. • Two strokes to spare I’ puffed the victorions Lord Randolph. The officer stared, blushed, apologized, wiped bis brow and went his way.