Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1855-10-17

I lTns GR EAr< ssay S4sosAff tsile " ing
description oTfhe Aseon5 sSsxhibit5or day %
iirnuin and TTeoas s Baby Show, ii Philasei-
plfia, 'ye clips5rom the Dda3 Nc,os.k
In the afferno6n there was brilliant atten-
dance of ladies, wlo, in their rich aud snowy
attire, were more atlraetiTesto the male por
tion OF he asselabiase thanthe babics. RoInd
and round the Hall they went now closets. In
specting this chubby specimen of infantile hu-
manity; anon pattiug stsweet babe upon the
head and then gathering around Phineas the
Great, to listen to few words of explanation
touching one or the other Of the sedarlings." :"
Barnum was evidently in his glory; his eyes
sparkled-his face wore glow of satisfaction,
such as must have mantied the cheek OF PeliS-
. slcr when the news of the capture of the Mala-
KoH first reached him and it was plain that
when upon the stage, he felt himseff'to be,ne
to the babies, the observed of ali observers.
| Book and pencil in had, he moved slowly from
one end OF the stage to the other, pausing only
/ to ask a question or two from the hopef0l
mothers, who clearly saw 'stlIat great first
|. prize in the prospective.
Barnum is a trump card himself. and he
knows If, and ne takes care to present himself
| before the spectators, during each levee, and
I to wear, meanwhile, Lis most facinating smile.
| During the afternoon levee, yesterday, he was
oyerhaulcd by con OF the strong minded after
this fashion.
DAREyM ASD THE sTEoxG-MIxDzp.
The Strong -Mindsd-tIn the garb of 4
Friend) Is thee Phineas I. Barnum, the great
Snowman
Barnum-( With an evidently slight appre-
/ henSian Of impending ILL., That is my name
madam. What is your wish?
The Strong -Minded--T think, Cpause,) thee
should net, (another pause and look of solem-
nity,) keep these children in this heated room.
Thee may depend upon it, (pause,) they will
! suffer in health.
Barnum-( Starting back with loci, of
/ alarm.) Indeed madam can't help the. heat
windows all raised-ventilators open--take
every possible care of the babos-wopldn t
1 hnrt hair Of the dear creatures head.
The Strong -Minded-( Shaking her head in
| creduously.) All, Phineas, (pause) fear thy
! heart is running too mnch on the quarters thee
makes to care for the babies.
! BY this time Barnum had beat a retreat, and
/ for fear Of being overhauled again Icy the
! strong minded, commenced giving directions.
! in g loud tone OF voice, to the attendant in a
| snuff colored cat.
] The prize of 500 for the prettieSt child
! in the exhibition, has been awarded tC
Miss ida b. Thompson, aged about three years
! This Young lady had place signed her yes
rerday on the platform, away from the common
herd in company with Master Scott, the New
York prize baby, and Miss Hardy, the Maine
Giantess. Touching this Maine wonder, we
don't think it ter-stroke on the par
| Of B0rnum TO make her feature of the eXhi,
| btiOn. II one were disposed TO give hin
credit for any unseliSh object in thus collect
ing together number Of infantile specimens
this stalking monstrosty would forbid it, trot
ted out as enc IS, every little while, by the
man in the snuG-colored coat, in a speech 0
this fashion:
This, ladies' and gentlemen. is Miss Hardy
(at this she looks demurely, with faint at
tempt to smile and drop a curtsey.) the ccle
btated gjantess, born in Maine. Shs is TWEEN
| ty-two years old, and in consequence Of hav
ing been sick lately. weighs oafy little owe
three hundred pounds. She is over seven fee
| high, and is altogether a fine specinan Of
down East belle.
This speech is repeated every little while
and sounds like the old Mcnagerie speeches o
BIZ or Tom after be has stirred up the animal
with long pole. Her 9ppea' ance at the cX
hibition. looks as though BarnUm had not 81
abiding confidence in the drawing powers o
the babies themselves.