The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1884-04-03
Uncle Jlni's Yarn.

iHNi' SiW i"ih
"Uheie Jim,n Of Stonngton, was
retired sea-captaIn, sealer and whalsrl
universally beloved and respected fOa
his lovely disposition and genuine good
hcartedness, not less than for the mod
eratlon Of his statements and the tuth4
ful candor OF his narratlOns, Trav-
elers In days gone by who used 10 walt
at Stonngton In the railway offices for
the New York boat remember him we'll.
and owe him gratitude for making tho
waiting hours short with his GhlldlIks
experiences, His manner was always
calm, he never much raised his voice,
or used any emphasis or eXplellyes, but
won tho hearer 10 belief by his simple.
uncyaggeratcd manner Of speech, II
was delightful to the hablmes 10 draw
Uncle Jim out for the benefit Of now-
cOmers, A hundred Of his stories ara
remembered, but the Drawer recalls
one NJ this moment which seems 10 comI
mend itself by its entire moderation
ID happened that one Of the Yale pro,
fessors, who devoted himself 10 ethno-
logical studies wus interested In the
PalagonInns, aud very much desired
information os 10 the alleged gigantic
stature Of the race, A scientific friend,
who knew the StonIngOn romanoer,
told the professor that he could no
doubt get valuable information from
Uncle Jim, q Captain who was familiar
with all ,thc region about Cape Horn.
And the professor, without any hint OF
Uncle JIM real ability, eagerly Occom'
panied his friend 10 make the visit
Uncle jim was found Ia one Of his usual
haunts, and something Ike the follow-
ing chronological conversation onsued'
Professor, "'lhcy tell me, Captain
Pennington, that you have been q good
deal In Patagonia
Uncle Jim, "Alado thirty or forty
voyages there, sir, "
Professor, "And suppose you know
something about the PalagonIans and
their habtsP'
Uncle jim, "inow all about 'em,
sir Know the PalagOnlans, SIR all OF
EN- as well as | know the Stonlngton
folks"
Professor ~ wanted 10 ask You,
Captain, about the size Of tho Patagon-
ians whether they are giants, as tray
elcrs have reported "
Uncle Jim, "No, SIR" shaking his
head slowly aud speaking with the
modest tone Of indillcronce-''no, sir,
they are not, Il wus quite probable
that the Captain never had heard tho
suggestion before. "The height Of
the ratagonians, SIR, Is just five feet
nine inches and half, "
Professor, GLOW did YOU ascertain
this fact, Captang"
Uncle Jim, Measured 'cm, sir
measured 'cm One day, when the
mato and were ashore down there, |
called up lot Of the patagonans, and
the mate aud | measured about five
hundred Of them and every one Of EN-
measured five feet nine Inches and q
half; no more no less, Every man,
woman, and child measured Gyo feet
nine inches and o half-thats thoiI
exact hcghtN
Professor That's very interesting.
But, Captain, don't you suppose thoro
were giants there long ago, In the former
generations All the travellers say so.'
Uncle jim, "NOt q word Of truth In
II, slr-not u word I'd heard that
story, aud thought I'd settle H. sat
ished myself there was nothing In It,"
Professor "liut how could you know
that they used not 10 be glantsp What
evidence could you gotP Mghtn't tho
former race have been giantSW
Uncle Jim, "lmpossiblo, sir-impoS-
dblc.n
Professor GLOW did you satisfy your.
self9N
"Unclc jim, "Dug 'cm up, slr-dug
'om up" speaking with more than
usual moderation, "'d heard that
yarn The next voyage, | took tho
bo'scn aud went ashore, and we dug up
two hundred and scycnty.liyo old Pata.
gonians, and measured 'cm. Thoy all
measured exactly five feet nine inches
and q half, no difference In 'cm men,
women, and all ages Just the same.
Five feet nine inches aud o half Is tho
natural hcight OF q patagonian, They've
always been just that Not word Of
truth IN the stories about giants, sir. ~
Haypcr'S MdgasiHc