Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1852-06-23

ottIfCS W Su4H&G Hui ST. Aa0 AGEa kEE BAN <
sengcFs, At small town in Vermont, and. |
dinner over we were awaiting the arrival cf
she stage upon the intersectins route, 10 pro-
coed upan our journey Cigars had been
lighted, and By way ofpassing cur time. ve
bad commenced critical examination Of the |
mammoth pictorial posters Of Bsrnum's men
agerie. which covered the walls ofthe spacious
bar room. Barnum's name opened fruitful
topic OF conversation; every one present
seemed stored with anecdotes Of the .Napo
leon of Showmen." ard the Woody Horse, |
the Feejee Mermaid and Joice Heath were
not forgotten 10 the discussion which follow
cd.
Suddenly. long. slab sided individual.
with an owl-Lke expression Of wisdom and
dignity. who bad been listening to our remarks
with IN evident desire to take hand. broke
out
II s'pose you t'link that's an al fred big
concern Anybody would that hada't seen
it,"
Then suppose you have seen it ?" said
my legal friend.
..Yaas. seen j. at Springfield" was the
reply; cit a darned humbug r
lis IL possible r said the Major, seeing
prospect Of fun ',Couldn't you oblige us
with description Of the institution y
Certainly" said Jonathan there's the
stage, and as soon as we get started. I'll give
you all the items. They can't humbug me
very often, and when they do, calklate to
advertise for 'cm till get square
In q few minutes We were under Roadway.
and our verdant friend commenced unbosom-
ing himself.
Yer sec. Barnum was going to show his
caravan down to Springfield. Fourth Of July,
aud tho't therc'd be good chance to see
the elephant and celebrate the day. both at
onc't What wanted to see more than all
the rest was the Car of Jugglenot. drawn BY
string Of elephants"
did it meet your expectations"
u never seen one side Of H. Before got
in town they'd got oil through paradin. the
elephants was Embarrassed and the car Of
Juggleuot was into woodsbed. made up
my mind right Of. then, that the hull con-
Germ was humbug"
"Was Barnum aware asked, that you
were to be in town y
mot as know = was the answer"
IF he had known it," added the Major,
"hc would doubtless have waited. But you
visited the exhibition. suppose n
"Of course | was bound to do that. If it
bust me. That was bigger humbug than
all the rest
"How SO Z"
"Why. in the first place ! expected to see
Jenny Lind"
"Was she announced 10 the bills?"
Il don't know; don't read 'cm, but |
sxed the man that stuck up the pictures. if
she d be there. and be said yes, and that
shcd sing the bird song on the top Of cage
Of cocatoos aud parrots She want there.
and ] never seen one side Of her, and then
l know'd the whole cousarn was darncd
Lumbug.
"Well, then, went round aud took a look
at the elephants had hard work /, ret round
tn; there was moe'n hundred thousand
people in the tent. got where they was.
and the folks was all feedin EN- with apples
and cakes aud things. | had some dough-
nuts in my hat, so held il ont to one Of the
darned things, to see if he'd take one"
"Did he take one e.
"IIe took 'em all. and the hat til. stuck
EN- in his nasty peaked mouth and begun
eatin. holIered to the Keeper and told
him it was bran new hat He said never
mind, bed get it again
"Did he get it r.
Yes. he get it. but a hat amt much ac-
count after an elephants chalced il. Then.
Id sworn the hull consarn was humbug
Well. took look at Tom Thumb. and the
Ceyong Chief, aud the man that iddled with
his toes. and the Teller that went in with the
lions. The wild animals were well enough
but didn't see as they looked any different
frcm uybody else's. | expected Barnum's
lions would be twice as big as any others. -
There was one thing. though, that was fust
rate; that was the wax statuary- especially
the .iptempcrance family told the man
tha. TUX care of it, wished every body that
ever drinkcd dropof sperrits had to stand
and look at that about a week--tLey'd never
want to drink again. He said that be wished
so Tn
..I'akc it all in all, though. was mad; |
didn't see what l.cxpected, and d,on't like
the idea Of being Lumbuggcd. so inquired
of one Of the men that was stirrin' up the
monkies where Barnum was aud he pointed
him out to me- selling lemonade. out Of wag
on ! went up 60 hin. and. thinks |. IN
give him piece ofmy MUD, See L
"Slr. Bainun--"
"Sixpence glass" SCI he
looked at his lemonade there was Just
one lone. solitary, seeand handed slice Of lem
ON in a whole wash tab full Of il, aud be ped
lin it out at sixpcncc glass. That made
me madden than all the rest. SO SEE II loud
aud audibly--
"slf Barnum. think your shows darn
ed hnmbug.''
"Young man.. ser he, Il s'pose you paid
TO come Ia I"
"S'posin did r. neg |.
"Well." seq ho. 's'posin goa have you
paid your quarter, and yoti've perfect right
to think just what you id please"
why" said the Major, after the sensation
caused by this recital had somewhat subsidsd
why did sou not demand your money back !
You certainly could have compelled them to
refund your quarter"
..You see the truth IS" said Jonathan,
scratching lis head II didn't pay no quarter
II erairled in Under the canpass !"--Ncsv