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el that the loss of money； of home and my home comforts； is dreadful； that to be driven again to find a resting place away from the friends that I loved； and from where I had fondly hoped I was to end my days。 And when I had lavished time； money； and everything to make my descent to the grave placid and pleasant； is indeed a severe lesson； but after all I firmly believe it is for the best； and though my heart may break I will not repine。 I regret； beyond expression； that any man should be a loser for having trusted to my name； it would not have been so if I had not myself been deceived。 As it is； I am gratified in knowing that all my individual obligations will be met。 It would have been much better if clock creditors had accepted the best offers that it was in my power to make them。 But it was not so to be； it is now too late； and as I willingly give up all I possess； I can do no more。 Wherever my future lot may be cast； I shall ever fondly cherish the kindness which I have always received from the citizens of Bridgeport。 I am； my dear sir； 〃Truly yours； P。 T。 BARNUM。〃
The reading of the letter excited much sensation； applause； and laughter。
The resolutions were re…read and passed unanimously。
Mr。 William Bishop said it was unusual for citizens to meet together to express sympathy with one who had lost his fortune。 It was very common for the people and the press to eulogize a man when he was beyond the reach of human sympathy。 He thought it was far better to tender a man the marks of approval while he was yet alive and could appreciate it。 ＇Applause＇ For along time in this city they were accustomed to bury their dead among the living。 Mr。 Barnum had done more than any other man to secure to this city the most beautiful…cemetery in Connecticut。 He alone had secured to the city what it had never had beforea public square。 On the east side of the river he had almost completed a school…house； a thing which could be said of no other man。 ＇Loud cheering。＇ If material aid were needed； he should be proud to assist in raising it。 There was one clause in the resolutions which he did not believe。 He did not believe that 〃in all probability he could ever retrieve〃 his fortune。 ＇Prolonged cheering。＇
Mr。 J。 E。 Dunham made a brief but earnest speech。 He hoped this meeting would put down the sneers which were in circulation in relation to Mr。 Barnum's sincerity； by showing that those estimated him most who knew him best。
Mr。 Nathaniel Greene and Mr。 Bowles made short but effective speeches。
The meeting was characterized throughout by the greatest enthusiasm； and adjourned with three loud cheers for Barnum。
Nor was sympathy all his neighbors offered him； shortly after this meeting a number of gentlemen in Bridgeport offered him a loan of 50；000； if that sum would meet the exigency。
Little by little the magnitude of the fraud practiced upon Barnum's too confiding nature dawned upon him。 Not only had his notes been used to five times the amount stipulated； but the money had been applied； not to relieving the temporary embarrassment of the company； but almost entirely to the redemption of the old claims of years gone by。 Barnum sent two of his friends to New Haven to ask for a meeting of the creditors； authorizing them to say for him in substance：
〃GENTLEMEN： This is a capital practical joke！ Before I negotiated with your clock company at all； I was assured by several of you； and particularly by a representative of the bank which was the largest creditor of the concern； that the Jerome Company was eminently responsible； and that the head of the same was uncommonly pious。 On the strength of such representations solely； I was induced to agree to indorse and accept paper for that company to the extent of 110；000no more。 That sum I am now willing to pay for my own verdancy； with an additional sum of 40；000 for your 'cuteness； making a total of 150；000； which you can have if you cry 'quits' with the fleeced showman and let him off。〃
Many of the old creditors favored this proposition； but it was found that the indebtedness was so scattered it would be impracticable to attempt a settlement by an unanimous compromise of the creditors。
Barnum therefore turned over his Bridgeport property to Connecticut assignees； moved his family to New York； and made an assignment there of all his other property； real estate and personal effects。
About this time he received a letter from Philadelphia proffering the loan of 500 in case he really was in need。 The wording of the letter made Barnum suspicious that it was a trick to ascertain whether he really had any property or if he made an honest settlement to the best of his ability。 To this letter Barnum replied that he did need 500； and as he had expected the money never came。
But the Philadelphia banks which were holding the Jerome paper for a higher percentage； at once acceded to the terms which Mr。 Barnum had announced himself able to pay；
Every dollar which he owed on his own account he had already paid； and for the liabilities incurred by the swindle which had involved him he offered such a percentage which he thought his estate； when sold； would eventually pay。 Mrs。 Barnum also gave up certain portions of her own property to redeem such notes as could be secured upon these terms。
They went to live in a hired furnished house in New York； the landlady and her family boarding with them。 At forty…six Barnum found himself once more at the foot of the ladderbeginning life anew。
〃The situation is disheartening；〃 he said； 〃but I have experience； energy； health； and hope。〃
CHAPTER XXVI。 IDLENESS WITHOUT REST。
ANNOYING PERSECUTIONS OF CREDITORSSUMMER ON LONG ISLANDTHE BLACK WHALE PAYS THE BOARD BILLTHE WHEELER & WILSON COMPANY REMOVE TO EAST BRIDGEPORTSETTING SAIL FOR ENGLAND。
In the summer of 1855 Barnum had sold the American Museum to Messrs。 John Greenwood； Jr。； and Henry D。 Butler。 They paid nearly twice as much for the collection as it had originally cost； giving notes for nearly the entire amount； securing the notes by a chattel mortgage； and hiring the premises from Mrs。 Barnum； who owned the Museum property lease； and on which； by agreement of the lessees； she realized something like 19；000 a year。 The chattel mortgage was； of course； turned over to the New York assignees with the other property。
Barnum's widespread reputation for shrewdness was； in his present difficulties； destined to be the cause of considerable annoyance to him。 Certain outside creditors who had bought clock notes at a tremendous discount； believing that Barnum's means were still ample； made up their minds that they must be paid at once without waiting for the sale of the property by assignees。
They； therefore； took what is known as 〃supplementary proceedings；〃 by which is meant an examination before a judge； compelling the debtor to disclose； under oath； everything in regard to his property； his present means of living； and so on。
〃Putting Barnum through a course of sprouts；〃 as they expressed it； came to be a very frequent occurrence。 One creditor after another hauled him up； and the attorneys would ask the same questions w