The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1874-04-30
Some of SOthern's Latest Jokes.

A washington correspondent WHITES .
SOthern has national reputation as a
practical Joker as well as an actor, but |
never have learned TO what an extent does
ne carry his passion for practical joking
until his last weeks engagement at the Ma
tional Theatre. 1t appears that joking is
a passion with him. His daily joke is as
necessary as the morning appetizer for the
average man. Upon the stage, even dur
ing the incidents of an act, before the au-
dience he is continually playing his jokes.
Here is an example: In one of the acts of
"Our American Cousin" young lady
who was PLAYING one of the prominent
parts of the play stood little back during
one scene, and as she was to come forward
during the act, Sothern passed her, and
said in a whisper: - For heavens sake be
careful, your skirt is coming off," The
young lady was distracted at the intelli-
gence, and clutching at her skirt, clung to
it convulsively until she had an opportu-
nifty of stepping behind flat, when she
lisS syered that it was only another one OF
Sothern's jokes.
Friday night "David Garrick'' was
| billed and SOthern that evening seemed so
full of a breezy humOr that it could only
find vent in some sort of practical joke.
In the cast of the play was a very beauti-
full young lady, who is very sensitive upon
the subject of admirers. SOthern, when
he came on in the second act, noticed
bald-headed old gentleman in the second
row front literally devOuring the face of
the young actress with a dOuble-barreled
opera glass. Here was too good chance
| for a joke. A few moments after his
cOnceiving the idea a box was brought
| behind the scenes by one of the uSherS.
lt was for the young lady mentioned
above. 1t was beautiful box, and filled
with exquisite French bOn-bons. At first
she was very much pleased with the pres
ent, but as she read the note accompany
| ing it her cheeks flushed, and she fairly
stamped her feet with Indignation. The
note was as follows:
LOVELY VISION: | love you | adore
YOU Look for me. the bald-headed party,
second seat to the right, in front. You
will recognize me by my bald head and my
| firm Roman nose, my mothcr's-l mean L
have it from her by inheritance. Be mine.
love you madly. | am widower with
no children, but long to be father. Ihave
| S2S,000 a year. Say, will you be mine? If
so, please drop your handkerchief at the
end of the scene.
"GOUR DEVOTED ADMIRER.'
This note so discOmfitcd the young lady
from her unusual experience of having so
vigorous an admirer, and so bold one
during her presence upon the stage, that
she missed several of her cues in the sue
ceeding scene. She was going to send the
box and note back to the bald-headed party.
but her friends discouraged her saying it
was better not to notice it at all. Fancy the
feelings of the old man if the box and note
had been sent back.
Toward the close of the next scene up
came an usher with another note, which
was rs follows:
'Oh, cruel, cruel one! Why did ever
meet you? | swear you shall be mire. |
am in the box now, so that | can be nearer
you. Behold me. your fate. Lovely cruel
one. do not think to escape me:
This was too much, the young lady
thought. and IL was with flushed cheeks
and indignant, swapping eyes that she
went on with her business. Wonderful
coincidence. When the curtain went up,
there was the bald-headed party in the
box.
Directly up came another note. 1t was
rs follows:
"The struggle is over. am going TO
cut my throat in five minutes in the box.
Cruel. obdurate one, why did | ever meet
you? No, won't cut my throat, | will
haunt you for years, and then cut my
throat. Beware howyOu scOrn me! | am
on your track, and you can never escape
metz
The young lady now became quite
frightened, as she thought she had an
amiable lunatic for an admirer.
The following conversation explains the
sequel to the above. Time-The next
evening, after the curtain had been run
down on the last act. Scene-Mr. SOth-
ern bidding farewell to the members OF
the company. He approaches the young
lady.
"Good-by," said he as he took her by
the hand.
"GoOd-by," she replied.
"Oh, by the way" says Mr.. SOthern.
"Well?''
''Did he cut his thrOat?'
Sudden light dawning) "Oh, Mr..
Sothern, 1 will never forgive you - and
the little body walks Indignantly away.
only to be overcome with laughter after
ward at the real excellence of the joke.