Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1874-11-19
The Sturg Teller*
THE CLOWNS GREATTRIC
BY THOMAS PICTON.
From the New York Mercury

or other, of Sam B., then known on &C.
count of his peculiar propensities and his ex-
perience as circus manager, in the exhibition
of which equestrian establishment he likewise
participated as clown. In this city Sam
was recognized as bookseller and brother to
the founder of firm which became celebra.
ted publishing house during the halcyon hours
of cheap literature Being of rowing, rest.
less and intractable disposition, he found him
self in this metropolis fish out Of his ele-
ment, and hence, with full confidence in his
individual and business capacities, he deter
mined upon carving out fortune in the Great
West. With keen knowledge of human
of the mysteries of all games, wherein cards
play productive feature.
Forming copartnership with well-known
publisher in this city, Sam went to Cincinnati
to dispense a goodly assortment of popular
literature, cheap, Indifferent, high priced, low
priced, and of volumes dear at any price.
The business proved according to Sans ac-
. count, most promising one; the books went
off like hot cakes, Of which Sam, like Oliver
Twist, cried for more, but inasmuch as the
resident partner failed to perceive the first
symptom ofa remittance toward this direction,
the solicitations of the foreign branch Of the
copartnersnip simply induced the city mem.
Der to present himself, in person, in the land
of promise in lieu of the invoice Of inanimate
wares. The New York representative of the
lucrative firm, anxious to witness the realiza.
ton of fortune with his own eyes, thereupon
closed day-book and ledger, and wended his
way toward the Queen City of the West ir-
reverently designated, by envious detractors,
as Porkopolis, or sarcophagus for the porclne
race. Arriving at this point, the bookseller
set about looking after both his partner and
his store, but being at the same time temper
ance man and stranger, he was at sore per.
plexity to discover the proper locality of the
one or the other. At length, stimulated
through possession of bill-head, he defined
the typographical position of the establish
ment in which he fattered himself to possess
halfinterest. With the assistance of pocket
map and small boy, as guide and compass,
the stranger finally reached within the neigh
borhood of his accredited property.
The New York partner looked around him
with inquisitive eyes he scanned the sign.
boards denoting the street name; he compu-
ted the numbers given above the shop doors;
ultimately, after series of peregrinations and
calculation he arrived at the conclusion that
he had reached his destination, particularly
when he observed that he was standing in
front of what bore semblance to a bookstore
TO make assurance still more sure, he cast
hurried glance over the contents of the show
window, and behind the plate glass had the
satisfaction of perceiving a goody collection
of books some bearing his own imprint, and
others familiar to his eye as purchaser at
the trade sales Then the New Yorker, re-
membering that among the many articles
charged against the firm, was handsome
item for resplendent signboard, turned in
quest of that directive article To his aston.
ishment, even that valuable commodity for
advertising purposes was wanting, while to
add to his perpexity, he noticed, gazing list
lessly from behind the counter, in solemn va
cancy upon the task of doing nothing, a coun-
tenanc~> the features in nowise resembling
those of his rotund and ocular copartner in
trade.
81 suppose Sans just stepped out ?" casual
ly remarked the gentleman from New Y ork,
as he entered the store.
"Sam? Who's Sam ?" replied the man be-
hind the counter, in slow, drawling tone ev-
identity awakened from profound reverie, as
he looked upon the intruder with stupid curl
osity.
"Why, Sam B, as matter of course" }"
reioined the New Yorker
"Sam B! Oh! yes, I've heard some
body say something about the man," and the
man relapsed into semi-somnambulance.
"Why, don't he own this place % said the
New Yorker, pettishly.
II wish to heavens he did" replied the mel
ancholic individual, with sigh, clearly indi-
eating that the burden Of ownership rested
upon his shoulders II wish | had my pork
forit."
"Pork ?" calculated the New York partner,
amazed at the curious nature of conducting
the book business in that section of the west. "
"Yes, pork" quoth the bookseller, mourn
fully, "prime at that, the best in the market.
I'd trade back and give boot"
"Thep you traded for this store did your"
again inquired our city friend, family endeav-
oring to remember whether the books of the
concern contained any reference to pork,
whether packed, in lard or in oil.
Eyes, I did," and the new proprietor
groaned audibly.
"Did you buy of Sam ?" suggested the gen.
tleman from new Ork.
"Sam be hanged" muttered the ex-pork-
seller, with sonorous and significant empha-
sis, as he turned his back, with the evident
intention of communicating no further infor
nation.
"Where can l find Sam ?" quoth the stran-
ger, cSmplacently.
"In -" and here the melancholy indi-
vidual most irreverently named locality
mention of which before ears polite, is habit
ualy reserved for the exclusive use of sensa-
tional preachers.
"Thank you. I'll 60 and find him." inter-
posed our citizen, meekly.
"Youll find him sooner or LATER" chimed
the Cincinnatian, with dryness of expression
of which casual observer would conceive
him to be incapable; "you're on the right
road, and ifyou come from New York it may
be change for the better"
The emigrant from Manhattan, apprecia-
ting the impossibility of extracting further
light from the Porkopolitan luminary. beyond
the self evident fact that the basis of his share
in prospective fortune had been mysterious
ly converted into pork, which had doubtlessly
changed hands und substance before his arri-
val, departed on his way to prominent hotel
Somewhat unnerved by his change in circum-
stances, our friend ventured to enquire of
clerk whether he was aware of the wherea-
bouts of Sam B, who once kept book
store in the city.
"Sam B." exclaimed the clerk, with an
appearance of astonishment, "who don't know
Sam? Why, he's the gayest fellow out.
reckon know him; why, he's been here ever
since he came tO town"