Daily American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1852, 1852-06-18
from the New York Spirit OF the Timesl
THE MAN THAT GOT HUMBUGGEI

The stage in which | was a passenger had
stopped TO change horses and "feed" the pas
sengers, at small town in Vermont. and, dinner
over, we were awaiting the arrival Of the stage
upon an intersecting route TO proceed upon our
jurney. Cigars had been lighted, and by way Of
passing our time, we had commenced a critical
examination OF the mammoth pictorial posters of
Barnums menagerie, which covered the walls Of
the spacious bar room. Barnum's name opened
fruitful topic of conversation and every one
present seemed stored with anecdotes Of the
. Napoleon Of Showmen," and the Woolly Horse,
the Feejee Mermaid, and Joice Heth were not
forgotten IN the discussion which followed
Suddenly long, slab sided individual, with
an owl-like expression Of wisdom and dignity,
who had been listening to our remarks with an
evident desire to take hand, broke out,
q s'pose you think that's an ALFRED big con-
Germ! Anybody would, that hadn't seen it,"
Then suppose you have seen it ?" said my
legal friend.
"Yaas, seen it at Springfield" was the re-
ply; fits a burned hum6ag"
us it possble?" said the Major, seeing a
prospect of fun. Couldn't you obige US with
description of the institution ?"
certainly, said Jonathan; g here's the stage,
anu as soon us we get started, I'll give you all
the items They can't humbug me very often;
| ana when they do, calklate to advertise for
| EN- till get squar."
under Ina6W0V
our verdant friend commenced unbosoming him
self
F." Yer see, Barnum was going to show his car
avian down to Springfield, Fourth Of July, and |
tho't there'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 bullephants"
Did it meet your expectations 7"
IL never seen one side of it. Before / got in
fbav'I ,rat oil fbrounb he o1o
plants was embarrassed, and the Car of Juggle-
not was into woodshed. / made up my mind
right off, then, that the hull concern was hum
bug"
WAS Ba,num aware" asked, ''that you
we're to BIO in town.?
% Not as know" was the answer.
If he had known" added the Major, he
would doubtless have waited. But you visited
the exhibition | suppose ?"
"Of course was bound to do that if it
bust me. That was bigger humbug than all
the rest"
"How so?
"Why, in the first place, expected to see
Jenny Lind"
WAS she announced in the bills?"
II don't know | don't read sem, but axed
the that stuck up the pictures if she'd be
there, and he said yes and that she'd sing the
bird song standn on the top Of u cage of cocka-
seen one side Of her-and then l knowd the
whole consarn was n darned humbug. Then
went round and took look at the elephants
| had hard work to get round, tn there was NOR n
thousand people in the tent. got where they
was, and the folks was all feedin' EN- with apples
and cakes and things. had some doughnuts in
my hat, 80 held it out to one of the darned
| things to see if he'd take one"
"Did he take one?''
He took 'em all, and the hat III, stuck EN- in
his nasty peaked mouth and begun eatin'. /
hollered to the keeper, and told him it was bran
new hat. He said never mind, he'd get it again. 2"
| Did he get it? ?"
| eyes, he got it, but hat amt much account
after an elephants chaVed it. Then | sWore the
hull consarn was humbug. Well, took look
at Tom Thumb, and the Ceylong Chief, and the
man that fddled with his toes, and the Teller that
went in with the lions. The wild animals was
well enough but l didn't see as they looked any
different from anybody elses. | expected Bar
NUNS lions would be twice as big as any others.
There one thing, though, that was fust rate !;
that was the wax statuatary--especially the in
| temperance family l told the man that TUX
care Of it, ] wished everybody that ever drinked
a drop Of sperrits had to stand and look at that
about week--theyd never want to drink again
| He said he wished so tn.
| Take it all in all, though, ! was mad /
| didn't see what expected, and didn't like the
idea of being humbugged: so inquired of one OF
the men that was stirrin up the monkeys where
Barnum was, and he pointed him out to me, SELL
ing lemonade, out of q wagon. l went up to him,
and, thinks l, IN give him piece of my mind.
Ser L
"Mr. Barnum-"
"Sixpence glass;" says he.
looked at his lemonade there was just one
lone solitary, second handed slice Of lemon in g.
whole wash tub full Of it, and he peddlin' it out
at sixpence glass. That made me madden than
all the rest; SO, says |, loud and auditably-
" Mr. Barnum, think your shows darned
humbug."
Young man." SEE he, II s'pose you paid to
come in ?"
'Supposin' did 2" SEE l.
We'll" seq he, " supposin' you have, you have
paid your quarter, anu you have a perfect right
! to think as you d-n please"
Why" said the Major, after the sensation
caused by this recital had somewhat subsidized
why did you not demand your money back ?"
Tou certainly could have compelled them to re-
fluid your quarter"
you see the truth is said Jonathan, scratch
ing his head, - didn't pay no quarter. Ierau5-
! ed IN uader the caRUasS :"