I was just seeing how far you would go." The comment made by those who best knew the great man was that if instead of winning in the gambling house he had lost he would have been up betimes at his place in the House, and doing his utmost to pass the claimant's bill and obtain a second fee.
Another memory of those days has to do with music.

This was the coming of Jenny Lind to America.

It seemed an event.

When she reached Washington Mr.Barnum asked at the office of my father's newspaper for a smart lad to sell the programs of the concert--a new thing in artistic showmanry.

"I don't want a paper carrier, or a newsboy," said he, "but a young gentleman, three or four young gentlemen." I was sent to him.
We readily agreed upon the commission to be received--five cents on each twenty-five cent program--the oldest of old men do not forget such transactions.