Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 August 1916 — A Strenuous “Cure” [ARTICLE]

A Strenuous “Cure”

A certain large farmer was once very badly injured through a kick from a horse, and for years afterward could not bear to go near the heels of one. He was found one diy ’ y one of the farmhands stand:g ’n the stable right behind the hindquarters of the biggest and most vicious animal on the farm, white with anxiety, and his face wet with perspiration. “Get out of this, lad!’’ said the farmer, on seeing the carter. “I’m stopping here quietly for a bit!” Tn about an hour out he came, cured forever of his nervousness! A young and clever barrister, now serving in France, is said to have been so nervous when first called upon to address a jury in court that he determined to adopt strenu ous methods in order to cure himself of this failing. Dressing himself in his shabbiest clothes, and taking only a small gladstone-bag with him, making "tub-thumping” speeches in parks and market places in country districts, and making It a rule not even to decide on a subject for his speech until he had collected an audience.

Many readers of Answers will have experienced the terrors of “stage fright” on the first occasion on which they have essayed to sing, recite, or act In public. In many cases a state of great excitement goes to such an extreme as to render the subject absolutely Indifferent to the audience, and some excellent acting has been the result.- -Answers, London.