Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1854-09-15
mistcllaneons.
Barnum'S First Visit to New YOrl

DoihVm . Hhce stSlA " NOW hUh'
From his Autobiography, now in preparation
for publication.
I was not quite twelve years of age when
| had the pleasure Of visiting the CONNER
cial metropolis for the first time. 1t hap
pened as follows: my father (as before stat
ed) kept the village tavern in Bethel, Conn
Late one afternoon in January, 1922, Mr.
Brown, drover from Southbury, Conn, ar
rived at our house with drove of fat cat
tie which he was driving to New York. -
His cattle were rut into our large barn
yard, the horse Of himself and man were
placed in the stable, and Mr.. Brown, order
ing and partaking Of a warm, comfortable
supper, drew off his boots and put on his
slippers and proceeded to spend the even.
ing comfortably. I looked upon him as n
great man, for he had been to York" and
to ego TO York" in those days was thought
quite as much Of, as 10 90 to Europe now.
| listened to the relation of his adventures
in city and country, and my mind became
quite excited AT last, heard him say to
my father that he expected to buy many
more cattle in R;dgeield and at other
points on his way to the City. and he would
be glad TO get boy who was light on foot,
10 run along with him and assist in driving
the cattle. | Immediately besought my
father (like a modern Office. seeker to inter
cede for me, and, if possible TO procure me
the coveted situation. He did so, and e
consultation was held with my mother, who
giving her consent, it was Immediately ar
ranged that | should visi: New York, and |
was t. Id to go to bed at once SO as to be
ready to start with the drove of cattle at
daylight in the morning. went to bed
but not to sleep. Visions of all sorts haun-
ted my imagination. A new world was
about to be opened to me. / slept an hour
or so towards morning, dreaming of the
great City with streets paved with gold,
and many castes-in the air.
AT daylight | was aroused, took few
mouthfuls Of breakfast and started off on
foot in the midst of a heavy snow storm to
help drive the cattle. Before reaching
Ridgefed Mr.. Brown put me on his
horse 70 gallop after wandering OK, the
horse fell, rolled upon my foot and strained
my ankle. 1 suffered intense pain, but
dared not complain, lest Mr.. Brown should
contriye some plan to send me back, for
was not yet ten miles from home. He We.
ry considerably allowed me ride behind
him on his horse, and the landlady OF the
hotel where we stopped bathed my ankle
which was considerably swollen. The next
day it was trife better, but as contin-
tinued to limp. Mr. Brown permitted me to
ride most of the time. In three or four
days we reached the city Of New York
and put up at the Bulls Head tavern, kept
by Mr. Givens. Mr.. Brown would be
busy week selling his cattle, and then
was to return with him in his sleigh. Thai
was great week for me. My mother had
given me a dollar before left home, and
never expected to see the end Of it. l sup.
posed it would supply my every wish and
yet have unknown quantities Of change or
hand. The first outlay ! made was for or
anges. l was great lover of this fruit
and often wished l could have as many al
| could eat entered confectionery
store and inquired the price Of oranges.-
-Four pence piece" was the reply.
Now, fourpence in Connecticut is 81,
cents and l supposed it was the same th'
world over. With my great propensity fo
beating down and an ardent belief il
Franklin's proverb. that "a penny saved i
twopence earned informed the lady tha
| considered fourpence a piece too dear
but l would give her ten cents for two.'-
The feminine spopkeeper hesitated for
moment, but said that seeing it was me,
and it was probably my first visit TO New
York, she would let me have the two oran
ges for ten cents, but she would expect M
to trade with her whenever | wanted any
thing in her line. | thanked her and too
the oranges, thought it was very libera
in her thus to deduct two cents from tn
price of her fruit, little dreaming that owin
to the difference in currency, was payin
her two cents more than she asked