Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1852-09-16
HANNIBAL JOURNAL, SEPTEMBER 16 1852

ling show, and YOU don't do nothing but swindle
people" &,
The laugh now became so universal, that
poor Jim had to force laugh and "dOn't care"
look, as he continued:
81 don't caro-, laugh, Jest as much as you please
Il amt particular about the money, nohow;
knowd it was swindle, fore come down Ga
piece of knowledge which Jim, in the excite
ment had before unfortunately forgotten that he
ever possessed, yes knowed it, and Jest
como down for devilment-butI don't care, you
can keep the money, l ain't particular about it
(Jim seemed particularly anxious TO impress
this important fact upon the mind Of the lectu-
rer) -cause know you need it worsen do,
when you can swinde Teller out Of it that
way"
The crowd now laughed till they were COM
pletely exhausted, and Jim's face slowly relax
ed from the ludicrous expression it had worn
for time. He now looked as if he had been
suddenly bereft of every relation he had in the
world-his face became heightened TO an alarm
ing extent, and upon the said countenance The
most woe-begone look settled, mingled with a
most "sheep-stealing" expression; he was now
in profound reverie, seemingly entirely I'M
conscious of the jeers cast at him by the compa-
ny. But Abram now broke in upon his medi-
tations, and although he too had been enjoying
his joke with a hearty laugh, he Immediately
ne oil bie Loo fono
and thus addressed the cheap-ookng "seeker
after knowledge under difficulties"
"Young man, you have now learned an i'm
portant historical lesson, and are no doubt well
pleased with it. am anxious, however-ahem!
I am anxious as | before remarked, that you
should be entirely satisfied til the exhibition
If you did not understand it in its minutest
details-if the illustration was not sufficiently
lucid, and everything has not been exhibited to
your entire satisfaction, l beg of you, my friend,
to make it known; and if it has met with favor
in your eyes, shall hold myself under the
greatest of obligations, with profound bow, }
if you will use your influence in forwarding the
cause of learning and knowledge, (another
bow,) by inviting your friends to step in when
they pass this way. What, may ask, is your
opinion Of the exhibition"
Poor Jim! He seemed not to have heard a
word that had been spoken; but, with his eyes
bent stcadfastly upon some object that WASH :
there, he moved not muscle for the space of a
minute, when, opening his lips, he slowly ejac-
ulated the few, but significant words "Sold!-
cheap --as---dirt "
And striding out Of the house he marched
down the street in a profound fit of mental alb.
straction.
Since the above occurrence if any one speaks
to Jim, or asks him question, he merely NUT
tiers "Bonaparte crossing
Mr.. Curtis told one of Jim's companions to
say to him, that his exhibition was merely an
agency - that noted wholesale firm of this
city were the proprietors of the concern, that
the apparatus belonged to them, that if Jim did
not think his money well spent, they would in
all probability refund it--but that being himself
merely an agent, he did not feel authorized 10
do so. w. EPAMINoNDAs ADRAsTUs BLAB.