The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1885-05-28
Uncle Jim $ Yarn.

This Is the season when the "yarnn is most
fully developed about the stove in the country
bank and store. According to the almanac,
"look out for long spell of storms about this
time" 1t recalls to the editor old "Unce jim, y
of Stonngton, Connecticut, who ought to have
whole Drawer to himself, for nothing short
OF It could express the easy-going enlargement
OF his mind in narratives. Uncle Jim was a
retired sea captain, sealer and wha!er, univer-
sally beloved and respected for his lovely dis
position and genuine good-heartedness, not less
than Tor the moderation of his statements and
the truthful candor of his narrations. Travel
lers IN days gone by who used to wait at Ston-
ington in the railway offices for the New York
boat remember him well, and owe him graft
tude for making the waiting hours short with
his chld-llke experiences. His manner was
always calm, he never much raised his voice,
or used any emphasis or eXpietves, but won
the nearer to belief, by his simple, uneXagger-
ated manner OF speech. 1t was delightful to
the habitues to draw Uncle Jim out for the
benefit of new corners. A hundred of his
stories are remembered but the Drawer recalls
one at this moment which seems to commend
itself by IFS entire moderation. 1t happened
that one of the Yale professors, who dey oted
himself to chronological studies, was interested
IN the Patagonians, and very much desired n-
formation to the alleged gigantic stature of
Stonlngton rOmancer, told the professor that
he could no doubt get valuable information
from Uncle jim, captain who was familiar
With all the region about Cape Horn. Aud the
professor, without any hint of Uncle ,Jm's real
ability, eagerly accompanied his friend to make
the visit. Uncle jim was found in one of his
usual haunis, and something like the following
chronological conversation ensued:
Professor. They tell me, Captain Pennng-
ton, that you have been good deal i'll Patago-
MIA"
Uncle Jim. made thirty or forty voyages
there, sir"
Professor. And suppose you know some
thing about the Patagonians and their habits?'
Uncle Jim. know all about 'em, sir. Know
the Patagonians, sir, all of 'em, rs well as
know the Stonngton folks"
Professor. 8; wanted to ask YOU. captain
about the size of the Patagonians- whether they
are giants, as travellers have reported"
Uncle Jim. No, sir" shaking his head
slowly, and speaking with the modest tone Of
indifference sir, they are not" 1t was
the suggestion before.l "The height of the
Patagonians, sir, is Just five feet nine inches and
a half"
Professor. ''How did you ascertain this fact,
captain:"
Uncle Jim. "Measured 'em, sir-measured
em. One day. when the mate and We're ashore
down there, L called up a lot of the Patagon-
lans, and the mate and | measured about five
hundred Of them, and every ore of 'em meas
ured i've feet nine inches and half; no more.
10 less. Every man, woman and child meas
afed five feet nine inches and a haf-that's
Ler exact height"
Professor. ''Thats very Interesting. But
captain, don't you suppose there were giants
there long ago, in the former generations? All
the travellers say So"
Uncle Jim. Not word of truth in it, sir
not word. I'd heard that story, and
thought ia settle it. l satisfied myself there
was nothing in it,
Professor. But how could you know that
they used not to be giants? What evidence
could you get? Mghtn't the former race have
been giants?"
Uncle jim. '.Impossible, sir-impossible.''
Professor. Chow did you satisfy yoursef?'
Uncle Jim. Dug 'em up, sir-dug 'em up"
speaking with more than usual moderation
I'D heard that yarn. The next voyage, took
the bosen and went ashore, and we dug up
two hundred and seventy-fve old Patagonians,
and measured 'em. They all measured exactly
five feet nine inches and a half; no difference
IN 'em-men, women, and all ages just the
same. Five feet nine inches and half is the
natural height of Patagonan. They've al
ways been just that. Not word of truth in
the stories about giants, SIR" Harper's Mag
aZine.