Details of time spent with P.T. Barnum

I had an hour free and decided to take a ride in time-travel machine back to April 7, 1891, and the home of circus impresario P.T. Barnum. Barnum was on his death bed, surrounded by his family.

I introduced myself as from the future. Though Barnum was struggling to stay alive, he seemed thrilled by my visit. He asked me many questions about what lay in store for the world.

I told him about canned whipped cream. Barnum didn’t understand how that was possible. I reached into my knapsack and took out a can (I take a dozen with me wherever I go. They give me that get-up-and-go-feeling I need to accomplish my many beyond normal tasks.) Barnum shot whipped cream into his mouth, and for a few minutes he was able to get up out of bed, dance with his wife, and join everyone in singing a rousing, “‘Jennie, the Flower of Kildare.”