2
___________________
___________________________________________
Independence
The Parkersons, Jeb the eldest, Buck the second, and John the youngest, told us we'd need to stay in St. Louis one night and then we'd head out, as the steam boat wouldn't head out till tomorrow. They said we could all head west together, as we'd told them we could take care o' ourselves, money wise. They said Miles liked kids, so we'd be right welcome. Huck and I had some time to sit a spell, waiting for the steamboat. While we's was setting on a porch in front of our hotel, a man came towards us, handin' out handbills saying:
THE FRIGHT OF YOUR LIVES!
At 1817 Cherokee Street, the famous ASYLUM
Come see DR. LUTZ MANNHEIM and his infamous patients!
See the famous "MONKEY BOY"!
50 cents for men, 45 cents for women and servants. Children not admitted.
Well, I was just panting to go, but Huck had to say, "Well Tom, it says, plain as day, no chilluns allowed, so we'se can't get in".
I told him, "If we's old enough to gets on a steamboat, we's old enough to get into this here thing, and anyways, howse we agoin to recognize crazies if we don't see 'em here?"
Huck had to admit I had a point, so we talked to the Parkersons, telling 'em all about the spectacle, and they was just panting to see it to. They promised to help us get into it.
When we got to the place, the man asked us "What's your name boy?" directing this at me.
I told him, "I'se Sid Parkerson, and this is my twin George", referrin' to Huck. The man looked at us, kinda doubtful like, but the real Parkersons stood by us, so we'se got in. This was the scare part, cause those people really was freakish. The "Monkey Boy" they advertised was there - as bizarre as promised - but he looked so sad. I was a thinkin' he looked like a poor prisoner from Count of Monte Crisco, by Alexandree Dumbass. But, I woun't reckon a loony like him'd be a poor prisoner like Jim. Anyways, we saw it, and we got scary thrill from the loonies muttering and tearing after us, alookin like they was about to soon tear our heads off.
Afterwards we headed to the inn, to sleep before our big trip to Independence. The trip down the Missouri was quick and we got to Independence in the early mornin'. We set off wid the Parkersons to get supplies. We agreed to split a wagon between us and each get our own supplies. We hitched up with a wagon train with about thirty other wagons and headed out in the fine month of April.
