The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1870-01-22
k21rnslIn's New Book.

B1rmum's New BOOK.
We have already given some extracts from L.
T. Barnums new book, struggles and Tri-
umphs" In perusing its entertaining pages we
find SO much that is adapted to the "Miscellan.
eous" columns of a newspaper that We are unable
to resist the impulse to enrich our columns with
some further extracts. The following may be
called - -...."
JOKE ON OLD GRIZZLY ADAMS.
Old Adams liked to astonish others, as he Of
ten did, with his astounding stories, but no one
could astonsh him ; he had seen everything and
knew everything, and I was anxious to get
chance Of exposing this weak point to him. A
fit occasion soon presented itself. One day,
wkile engaged in my Office at the Museum, man
with marked Teutonic features and accent ap-
preached the door and asked if would like to
buy pair of living golden pigeons,
EYES," replied, II world like flock of gold
en- pigeons, if could buy them for their weight
in silver; for there are no golden pigeons in
existence, unless they are made from the pure
metal"
"You shall see some golden pigeons alive" he
replied, at the same time entering my Office, and
closing the door after him. He then removed
the lid from small basket which he carried in
his hand, and sure enough, there were snugly
pigeons, as yellow as saffron, and as bright as a
double-eagl 10 fresh from the mint.
l confess l was somewhat staggered at this
sight and quickly asked the man where those
birds came from. A dull lazy smile crawled
over the sober face of my German visitor, as he
replied in slow, cultural tone of voice
"Whas you think YOURSELF"
Catching his meaning, Iquickly replied
81 think it is humbug"
r
YOU forstha such so shall not try to humbug
you; have color them myself"
On further enquiry learned that this German
was chemist and that he possessed the art Of
coloring birds any hue desired, and yet retain
natural gloss on the feathers, which gave every
shade the appearance of reality.
II can paint green pigeon or blue pigeon,
gray pigeon or black pigeon, brown pigeon
or pigeon half blue or half green" said the
German; "and if you prefer it, 1 can paint them
pink purple, or give you little of each color,
and make you rainbow pigeon"
The "rainbow pigeon" did not strike me as par
ticularly desirable; but thinking here was
good chance to catch "Grizzly Adams" bought
the pair OF golden pigeons for ten dollars, and
sent then up to the "Happy Family" where
knew Adams would see them marked. Golden
Pigeons, from California" Mr.. Taylor, the great
pacificator, who had charge of the Happy Fami
ty, soon came down in a state Of excitement.
"Really, Mr.. Barnum," said he, II could not
think of putting those elegant golden pigeons
into the Happy Famlly,-they arc too valuable
bird, and they might get injured; they are by
far the most beautiful pigeons l ever saw; and
as they are so rare, would not jeopardize their
lives Tor anythipg"
Well said l. "you may put them in sepa-
rate cage properly labelled"
Monsieur Gullauden, the naturalist snd taxi
dermst of the Museum, had been attached to
that establishment since the year it was founded,
in 1870 He is Il Frenchman, and has read near
ly everything upon natural history that was ever
published in his own or in the English language
When he saw the Golden Pigeons from Califor.
mia" he was considerably astonished. He exam
ined them with great delight for half an hour,
expatating upon their beautiful color and the
near resemblance which every feature bore to
the American ruff-necked pigeon. He soon came
to my Office, and said:
"Mr. Barnum, those golden pigeons are superb,
but they cannot be from California. Audubon
mentions no SUCH brd in bis work upon Ameri.
can ORTHODOXY.
told him he had better take Audubon home
with him that night, and perhaps by studying
him attentively he would zee occasion to change
his mind.
The next day the old naturalist called at nv
Office aud remarked:
"Mr. Barnum, those pigeons are more rare
bird than you imagine. They are not mentioned
by Linnaus, Cuvier, Goldsmith, or any other
writer on natural history, 30 far as have been
able to discover. expect they must have come
from some UNEMPLOYED portion of Australia"
Never mind" replied, I'VE may got more
light on the subject perhaps before long. We
will continue to label them California Pigeons
until we can fix their nativity elsewhere"
The next morning "Old Grizzly Adams"
passed through the Museum when his eyes fell
on the Golden California Pigeons" He looked
a moment and doubtless admired. He soon after
came to my Office
Mr.; Barnum," said he. "you must let me have
those California Pigeons"
Il can't spare them" replied.
But you must spare them. All the birds and
You own half Of my California menagerie, and
you must lend me those pigeons
"Mr Adams they are too rare and valuable
bird to bs hawked about in that manner"
ooh, don't be iool,' replied Adams. "Rare
bird, indeed Why they are Just as common in
California IA any other pigeon l could have
brought hundred Of them from San Francisco,
ii had thought OF it,"
"But why did you not think of it" asked,
witha suppressed smile. " ... ..|.
Because they are so common there said
Adams. Il did not think they would be any
curiosity here. / have eaten them in pigeon.
pies hundreds of times, and have shot them by
the thousands!
was ready to burst with laughter to see how
readily Adams swallowed the bait, but maintain.
my the most rigid gravity replied
'oh well, Mr.. Adams, If they are really 10
common IN California, you had probably better
take them, and you may write over and have
haIt dozen pairs of them sent to me for the