The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1908-06-06

Humphry Ward at the Hudson
theater, before the League tor Po-
litical Education, coincidentally
with The u OF the Barnum 81 Bailey
circus AZ the Madison Square Gar.
den, reminded me OF \ story that
Eugene Field once told me while
we were campaigning in the Teche
country, the country OF Evange.
line. in Louisiana.
We were in the midst OF the long.
bearded oaks that picture the weird
and naturally suggest in the glodm.
ing the peopling OF the forests with
human forms perched high among
the branches. Mr.. Field told the
story often with infinite variation,
always creditable 10 all concerned,
however, as was his wont, so that
neither Mrs. Ward nor the shade
OF the great =. 7. need dread re-.
petition ad innnltum.
81 was soiourning in London at
the time" quoth Eugene the gen.
ial, getting rid OF my small inher-
itance in a chase after literary lions
and lionesses. | had arrived at
the supreme distinction OF being
invited to dinner, with Mrs. Hum
phrey Ward on my right and a
round, garrulous. hihulous retired
admiral on my lett, The admiral
did not interest me IN the least,
while he bored ne nearly TO death.
was crazy to get something from
Mrs. Ward. hut she simply lgnor.
ed me as il | had been tan empty
chair. dcvoting her attention to
some important persons opposite
Had | been an empty chair she
might have honored me by placing
her handkerchief on me, or some
other attention. hut 10 her literary
highness ! was seemingly not there
ut all.
Near the close OF the dinner ]
was growing desperate and be-
thought me to throw a TIT or do
something else TO attract notice,
hut | was saved 10y a happy turn OF
the conversation which gave me an
opening, and these whiskered oaks
remind me OF the occasion.
THE Barnum & Bailey circus
had Just ventured TO invade Europe
and was showing in London at the
time. Someone was telling OF the
wonders OF the show, and especial
" the collection OF human freaks
from all over the globe. These
paraded IN the grand entree and
created a sensation that was the
talk OF the day. Finally, Mrs.
Ward hecamc Interested in this
turn and asked i wonder where
ever Mr.. Baruum found all those
wonderful anthropological mon
s,rositics. and now he manages TO
keep them together should
think it would he a great RESPONSE
bility. by the way, Mr.. Field turn
ing for the first time 10 the lett.
hand neighbor 1t table,, YOU are
an American, | believe, and per
haps know Mr. Barnum. Possibly
YOU could e~nlighten ~ on the mat
ter
Yes, madame, replied Eugene
/ not only knox Mr.. Barnum per
sonallv, but | " him the greatest
debt OF gratitude that M human
being can W another. lie has
been more than a father TO me, and
| can tell YOU, perhaps, hStteT than
anyone else, how he manages &c
keep his people together as easily
as he does. Mr.. Barnum IS a great
philanh,ropist nrst, and a show
man only incidentally. Kindness
20 animals, and especially to I'M
fortunate human beings, is his pas
sion. Not only does he rescue the
specimens which he collects, and
train ont from the depths OF savag'
cry, hut he educates them 10 I've in
telligent and happy and to live to-
gether as n happy family. Those
human curiosities that you hav,
seen parading IN the show are real
ly serving in the first processes oI
civilized evolution. Some day thel
will disappear from the show, but
not to die. Some school has re-
ceived them, and in time they vii.
issue from some university to take
up the battle OF life OF terms o
equality with the most favored
You do not hear OF the transforms
ton, because Mr.. Barnum is a yer,
modest man and is especially sh,
OF advertising his sacred virtues
bun / am so filled with gratitude ioI
what he has done Tor me that J car
not keep quiet when there is an,
Excuse Tor expression. owe th'
pleasure OF being here tonight IL
Mr.. Barnum, and, IL | may be per
mitted, will tell you about u
When MI. Barnum discovered m'