Democratic Sentinel, Volume 8, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 September 1884 — Amusing Fright. [ARTICLE]

Amusing Fright.

“Buck fever” and “stage fright” resemble each other in that both paralyze —one the arm, the other the mouth. When an inexperienced hunter sees, for the first time, a deer bounding by him, he forgets to shoot. The wouldbe orator usually forgets what he wishes to say when for the first time he Burveys an audience from a platform. A writer tells in the Boston Trar ,• script two amusing stories of stage fright: During the Harrison campaign, at a great political meeting at Faneuil HaF, a man from Tennessee by the name of Pear (pronounced Pare) had expressed a desire to spesfic. Accordingly in due time he was called upon. Graciously rising, and with apparent eagerness, he came forward; holding up one finger to his audience, he began thus: “I—Pear” The assembled multitude patiently waited through a long pause for more, but this was all! Pear had sat down. Another case is that of a gentleman of one of our large New England towns. Being much interested in phrenology, he proposed to give a lecture upon the subject. The time was announced, a large auclience assembled, and the lecturer duly appeared. Upon a table was placed a cast of a head. Approaching this, and laying his hands affectionately upon it, he began: “Ladies and gentlemen—This head n A long, long pause. Fixedly but minutely he looked at bis audience; so many heads (!) overcame him. He retired and sat down, while the people quietly laughed and dispersed.