P. T. Barnum

“ They allus wears white neckcloths. I say, search him and boot him out of the shop!”
“Hold your tongue!” answered the auctioneer, with dignity. “I will see you safe, Sir,” to the clergyman. But you bid that money, and you must pay it. We can’t do this business on any other principles.”
“You will sell it for me again at once?” asked the poor minister.
“Certainly,” said the mollified auctioneer. And the humbugged divine, with an indistinct sense of something wrong, but not able to tell what, took out forty dollars from his lean wallet and handed it to the clerk. ”

“ The clergyman passed a little further in; and while the sales proceeded behind him, the clerk made out a bill and proffered it.
“Fifty-four dollars and a half!” read the country divine, astounded. “Four and a half is what I bid!” “Four and a half!” exclaimed the clerk, with sarcastic indignation; “Four dollars and a half! A pretty story! A minister to have the face to say he could buy an M. I. Tobias gold watch, full jeweled, for four dollars and a half! I’ll thank you for the money, Sir. ”

“ The city politicians, in office and out of it, who were wont to receive the aid of the Funks (a very energetic cohort) at elections, and who in return unscrupulously used both power and influence to keep them from punishment.
All this cunning machinery was brought to naught and New York relieved of a shame and a pest by the courage, energy, perseverance, and good sense of one Yankee officer—Russell Wells, a policeman. Mr. ”