The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1842-03-03
.NISCEEAf.y'EOT.S.
BARNABY pIDDLEDUM.


In 1887, / travelled through several Of
the Middle States and Southern States with
a Circus, in connection with Mr.. A. Tur.
ner, father Of N. 3. and Y. Turner, the
two celebrated eouesirians. He was an
original genius; he was good Judge Of
human nature, aud was a man oil whom
much information might be derived. He
was withal a practical Joker, and never let
an opportunity pass unlnproved tor having
a Bit of fun. lie has by his cntlring indus
try, amassed large fortune, and be is not
a little proud to inform the world that he
commenced life without shilling. Ere
quently have heard him say, "eyery man
who has good health and common sense,
is capable Of making fortune il he only
-esolues to do so. As proof Of II, look
at me. Who am I :! don't know who
am, nof where came from. never had
father nor mother that | know Of; at all
events mag have started from the lowest
depths OF degradation. never had educa-
ton commenced life as a shoemaker
VIA, little can read, picked up after
was IS years Of age, and as for writing, |
could only make my mark, but being a
poor devil, had occasion to give my note
50 often that finally learned to write my
name, and so have got along by degrees.
You see what am now. j have become
SO by industry, perseverance and economy ;
and any man will become rich who will
determine TO do so. There 10 not such a
a word as " cannot" in the English Ian.
euags. Never say you can't do thing
and never cry broke till you are dead"
Many a severe Joke has Turner played
upon me, which ] have always hoped that
/ should be- able TO repay uiih interest, but
have never been able fully TO do SO. A
trick he played me in the City of Raleigh,
North Carolina, never shall forget. We
arrived there late on Saturday evening"
We had been dong a very profitable bu
siness, which made US feel pretty rich tina.
night s,eppad into The g BIC" Tailoring
establishment on Fayetteville Street, and
hugh. ne a splendid sui! of clothes. We
were all strangers IN that City, never hav.
ing been there before. On Sunday morn
ing, feeling proud Of my sable suit,
dressed myself and started to take stroll
alroui the city. passed through the bar
room Of the hotel; some twenty person:
were there amoug whom was Turner who
had by that time made their acquaintance
Alter had passed out, Turner pointing II
tie directions | had taken, remarked tc
the company. II think its very singular
you permit that rascal to march your
streets IN open day. II wouid'n: be allow
cd 10 Massachusetts, and suppose hat /:
(he reason the black coated scoundrel ha:
come down This way"
Why. who is he :" ejacula;ed half ;
dozen at once.
D3n't you know Why, that is thr
ReY. Z. X. Avery, the murderer OF Mis-
Cornell I" answered Turner.
"is it possible !" they exclaimed, al
starting for the door eager to got look a
me, and several swearing vengeance agains
the hypocrticaI priest.
Turner had set the ball 10 motion, SO hr
quietly took seat, While every person il
the bar room started in pursuit Of me-
had turned corner Of the street and va!
very nnocentIy, though rather pompously
strutting down tho side walk, when was
OyErsaken by some twenty persons, whose
number increased every moment. | OBJ
served, as they passed me, each person
looked back aud stared at me with appar
enl wonder. | believe must have beer
uncommonly proud Of that new suit o
clothes, for | was vain enough to beliey;
that my aeie suit vas what attracted sucE
attention. | was, however, soon awokt
froG the happy illusion. The mob passec
me some five or ten rods, and waited I'll
came up to them. As passed, hearc
several observations like the following
The lecherous old hypocrlte - tht
sanc,iGed murderer -" the black coatec
villain -" let's tar and feather him y
"iynch the ecoundreI," &c. &c. passeC
along totally unconscious these remark
couso possibly have any reference TO me-
The denouemeat, however, soon came
The mob, which now numbered al leas
one hundred, overlook me as passed
another corner, and one fellow seized INC
By the collar, while five or six others Cd
preached bearing a rail between them.
Come" says tie man who colared me
"cld chap YOU can't walk any farther; VIZ
know you, and as we always make gentle
men ride is these parts, you may prepare
10 straddle that rail /"
My surprise nay well be imagined
" My Ged!h | exclaimed, as they all pres
sed around me, " Gentlemen, what have
donel"
30, We hnoY YOU" exclaimed half /
dozan voices, you needn't roll your sane