Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1855-02-10

all pressed around me, "gentlemen, what
have done -
ooh, we know you," exclaimed half q
dozen voices; "you needn't roll your
isanctimonious eyes; that game don't take
in this country. Come, siraJdc the rail,
aud remember the stdck-yard :"
Igrew more and more bewidered it
seemed like dream | could not mag
inc what possible offence | was to suffer
for, and | continued 10 exclaim, Gentle
men, what have done? Don't kill me,
gentlemen, but tell me what have done"
Come make him straddle the rail {;
we'll show him how to hang poor factory
girls shouted some chap from the
crowd.
The man who hal ne by the collar
then remarked, Come Mr.. Arcry, its
no use, you see we know You, and we'll
give you touch of lynch law, and start
you for home again.
"My name is not Avery, gentlemen !;
You are mistaken in your man" eX-
claimed.
Come, come, none of your CANNON !;
straddie the rail, Ephraim, said the man
who had me by the collar.
The rail was brought to such level as
10 allow me 10 be ''slradded" on 1t with
out difficulty, and | was about to be pla-
ced according to orders, as the truth flash
ed upon me.
"Genlemen," | exclaimed, 81 am net
Avery, despise that villain as much as
| you do; but my name is Barnum; be.
long to the circus which arrived here last
night, and | an sure Old Turner, my
partner, has hoaxed you with this red!c-
ulouS story"
IF he has, we'll lynch him." said one
of the mob.
"Well, he has, I'll assure you," re-
pied; $50 Just walk to the hotel vita me,
and I'll convince you of the fact"
This arrangement they reluctantly con.
sented to, keeping, however, close hand
upon me. AS we walked up the main
street on which the new State House is
situated. the mob received reinforcement
of some fifty or sixty; and was marched
like maleiactor up TO the hotel. Old
Turner stood on the piazza ready to burst
with laughter. | appealed to him for
heavens sake to explain this matter, that
might be liberated. He continued to
laugh, but finally told them she believed
there was some mistake about it. The
fact is,'' said he, "my friend Barnum has
4 new suit of black clothes on, and 1t
makes him look so much like priest, |
concluded it must be Avery
The mob saw the joke. Some apollo
gized to me for the rough manner in
which had been handled, ((or they had
torn my coat half off my back, and rolled
me in the dirt considerably while others
swore that Old Turner deserved the fate
intended for me; but the majority of the
people roared with laughter, declared it
was good joke, and advised me 10 look
sharp, and pay my partner cn for it. !
was exceedingly vexed, and when the
mob had dispersed, asked Old Turner
what on earth could induce him 10 play
such an outrageous mean trick upon me.
''My dear Barnum," said he, "it was
alIfor our good. Remember, all we need
TO insure success is notoriety. You will
see that this Will be noised all about town
as trick played by one Of the circus
managers upon the other, and our pavilion
will be crammed tomorrow night"
1t turned out as he conjectured. The
joke was in every PERSONS mouth. We
soon became acquainted with the whole
town, and had immense audiences during
our stay. This, however, dill not induce
me to forgive Old Turner, for knew ful!
well that sell-inerest was an after consid-
Grafton in this case, the joke being
prompted solely by a desire o see some
fun, no matter at whose expense.
II &