A Unique Story of a Marvellous Career: Life of Hon. Phineas T. Barnum
Benton, Joel, 1832-1911
h everything; surely it is no light thing to call forth so much innocent joy in so few moments of passing time; surely it is no light thing, thus to smooth the roughness and sweeten the acerbities which mar our happiness as we advance upon the wearing journey of life. Sir, it was most emphatically a high triumph of "Christian civilization!" Respectfully submitted, by your obedient servant, THOMAS HOUSE TAYLOR. Not long after the wedding, a lady called at Barnum's office and called his attention to a little six-paged pamphlet which she said she had written. It was called "Priests and Pigmies," and she asked Barnum to read it. He glanced at the title, and at once estimating the character of the publication, promptly declined to devote any portion of his valuable time to its perusal. "But you had better look at it, Mr. Barnum; it deeply interests you, and you may think it worth your while to buy it." "Certainly, I will buy it, if you desire," said he, tendering her a sixpence, which he supposed to be the price of the little pamphlet. "Oh! you quite misunderstand me; I mean buy the copyright and the entire edition, with the view of suppressing the work. It says some frightful things, I assure you," urged the author. He lay back in his chair and fairly roared at this exceedingly feeble attempt at blackmail. "But," persisted the lady, "suppose it says that your Museum and Gr
