The stock was as “dead as a herring!” I then went to Mr. Heath and asked him when the directors were to pay the other $14,000. “On the 26th day of December, or forfeit the $1,000 already paid,” was the reply. I assured him that they would never pay it, that they could not raise it, and that he would ultimately find himself with the Museum collection on his hands, and if once I started off with an exhibition for the South, I would not touch the Museum at _any_ price. “Now,” said I, “if you will agree with me confidentially, that in case these gentlemen do not pay you on the 26th of December, I may have it on the 27th for $12,000, I will run the risk, and wait in this city until that date.” He readily agreed to the proposition, but said he was sure they would not forfeit their $1,000. “Very well,” said I; “all I ask of you is, that this arrangement shall not be mentioned.” He assented. “On the 27th day of December, at ten o’clock A. M., I wish you to meet me in Mr. Olmsted’s apartments, prepared to sign the writings, provided this incorporated company do not pay you $14,000 on the 26th.” He agreed to this, and by my request put it in writing. From that moment I felt that the Museum was mine. I saw Mr. Olmsted, and told him so. He promised secrecy, and agreed to sign the documents if the other parties did not meet their engagement. This was about November 15th, and I continued my shower of newspaper squibs at the new company, which could not sell a dollar’s worth of its stock. Meanwhile, if any one spoke to me about the Museum, I simply replied that I had lost it. CHAPTER VIII THE AMERICAN MUSEUM. A TRAP SET FOR ME--I CATCH THE TRAPPERS--I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM--HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT--HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS--ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM--EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING--BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN--EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY--INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES--A DRUNKEN ACTOR--IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH--PLEASING MY PATRONS--SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES--LIVING CURIOSITIES--MAKING PEOPLE TALK--A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS--NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER--THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK--SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK--THE FISH WITH LEGS--THE FEJEE MERMAID--HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION--THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY--JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS--THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID--WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN--THE BALCONY BAND--DRUMMOND LIGHTS.