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life of hon. phineas t. barnum-第46章

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ied that it was all a 〃joke;〃 and that he merely wanted to see what the manager would say to the proposition。 He begged that nothing would be said to Miss Lind concerning it。 So it is altogether likely that she knew nothing of it。 The four concerts at St。 Louis were given and the program as arranged for the other cities was carried out; with no more troublous incidents occurring。

To show that Barnum's efforts as manager of the Jenny Lind enterprise were appreciated; we copy the dedication of Sol Smith's Autobiography published in 1854。 Smith was one of the characters of his time; being celebrated as a comedian; an author; a manager and a lawyer:

〃TO PHINEAS T。 BARNUM; PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM; ETC。 

〃Great Impressario。 Whilst you were engaged in your grand Jenny Lind speculation; the following conundrum went the rounds of the American newspapers:

〃 'Why is it that Jenny Lind and Barnum will never fall out?' Answer: 'Because he is always for…getting; and she is always for…giving。'

〃I have never asked you the question directly; whether you; Mr。 Barnum; started that conundrum; or not; but I strongly suspect that you did。 At all events; I noticed that your whole policy was concentrated into one ideato make an angel of Jenny; and depreciate yourself in contrast。

〃You may remember that in this city (St。 Louis); I acted in one instance as your 'legal adviser;' and as such; necessarily became acquainted with all the particulars of your contract with the so…called Swedish Nightingale; as well as the various modifications claimed by that charitable lady; and submitted to by you after her arrival in this country; which modifications (I suppose it need no longer be a secret) secured to herbesides the original stipulation of one thousand dollars for every concert; attendants; carriages; assistant artists; and a pompous and extravagant retinue; fit (only) for a European princessone…half of the profits of each performance。 You may also remember the legal advice I gave you on the occasion referred to; and the salutary effect of your following it。 You must remember the extravagant joy you felt afterwards; in Philadelphia; when the 'Angel' made up her mind to avail herself of one of the stipulations in her contract; to break off at the end of a hundred nights; and even bought out seven of that hundredsupposing that she could go on without your aid as well as with it。 And you cannot but remember; how; like a rocket…stick she dropped; when your business connection with her ended; and how she 'fizzed out' the remainder of her concert nights in this part of the world; and soon afterwards retired to her domestic blissitude in Sweden。

〃You know; Mr。 Barnum; if you would only tell; which of the two it was that was 'for…getting;' and which 'for…giving;' and you also know who actually gave the larger portion of those sums which you heralded to the world as the sole gifts of the 'divine Jenny。'

〃Of all your speculationsfrom the negro centenarian; who didn't nurse General Washington; down to the Bearded Woman of Genoathere was not one which required the exercise of so much humbuggery as the Jenny Lind concerts; and I verily believe there is no man living; other than yourself; who could; or would; have risked the enormous expenditure of money necessary to carry them through successfullytravelling; with sixty artists; four thousand miles; and giving ninety…three concerts; at an actual cost of forty…five hundred dollars each; is what no other man would have undertaken you accomplished this; and pocketed by the operation but little less than two hundred thousand dollars! Mr。 Barnum; you are yourself; alone!

〃I honor you; oh! Great Impressario; as the most successful manager in America or any other country。 Democrat; as you are; you can give a practical lesson to the aristocrats of Europe how to live。 At your beautiful and tasteful residence; 'Iranistan' (I don't like the name; though); you can and do entertain your friends with a warmth of hospitality; only equalled by that of the great landed proprietors of the old country; or of our own 'sunny South。' Whilst riches are pouring into your coffers from your various 'ventures' in all parts of the world; you do not hoard your immense means; but continually 'cast them forth upon the waters;' rewarding labor; encouraging the arts; and lending a helping hand to industry in all its branches。 Not content with doing all this; you deal telling blows; whenever opportunity offers; upon the monster Intemperance。 Your labors in this great cause alone should entitle you to the thanks of all good men; women and children in the land。 Mr。 Barnum; you deserve all your good fortune; and I hope you may long live to enjoy your wealth and honor。

〃As a small installment towards the debt; I; as one of the community; owe you; and with the hope of affording you an hour's amusement (if you can spare that amount of time from your numerous avocations to read it); I present you with this little volume; containing a very brief account of some of my 'journey…work' in the South and West; and remain; very respectfully;                  〃Your friend; and affectionate uncle;                                              〃SOL SMITH。

〃CHOUTEAU AVENUE; ST。 LOUIS; 〃NOV。 1; 1854。〃

Although Barnum never acknowledged it; there was a vast deal of truth in Mr。 Smith's statements。

Whenever Miss Lind sang for charity she gave what she might have earned at a regular concert; Barnum always insisted upon paying for the hall; orchestra; printing and other expenses。 But Miss Lind received the entire credit for liberality and benevolence。

It is but just to say; however; that she frequently remonstrated with Barnum and declared that the expenses ought to be deducted from the proceeds of the concert; but he always insisted on doing what he called his share。



CHAPTER XXI。 CLOSING THE GRAND TOUR。

APRIL FOOL JOKES AT NASHVILLEA TRICK AT CINCINNATIRETURN TO NEW YORKJENNY LIND PERSUADED TO LEAVE BARNUMFINANCIAL RESULTS OF THE ENTERPRISE。 

Five concerts were given at St。 Louis; and then they went to Nashville; Tenn。; where the sixty…sixth and sixty…seventh of the series were given。 At the latter place; Jenny Lind; accompanied by Barnum and his daughter; Mrs。 Lyman; visited 〃The Hermitage;〃 where Barnum himself had years before seen 〃Old Hickory〃 Jackson。 While there; the prima donna heard; for the first time in her life; wild mocking birds singing in the trees; and great was her delight thereat。

They spent the first of April; 1851; at Nashville。 In the forenoon of the day; the various members of the party amused themselves by playing little 〃April Fool〃 jokes on Barnum; and after dinner he took his revenge upon them。 Securing a supply of telegraph blanks and envelopes; he set to work preparing messages full of the most sensational and startling intelligence; for most of the people in the party。 Almost every one of them presently received what purported to be a telegraphic despatch。 Barnum's own daughter did not escape。 She was informed that her mother; her cousin; and several other relatives; were waiting for her in Louisville; and various other important and extraordinary items of domestic intelligence were c
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