Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1881-06-27
INCIDENT IN COUGHS PLAT
FORM EXPERIENCE.
[From John B. Coughs new book "sunlight and
Shadow."]

OHauOWs j
Like all other speakers, probably,
have been placed in embarrassing cir
cumstances, and certain amount of self
possession has been necessary to over
come an unexpected difficulty or opposi-
ton. especially such an interruption as
often occurred in the earlier days of tcm-
perance work. On such an occasion I
lost all fear, and became self-possessed,
watching for an opportunity to retaliate.
The secretary of the National League in
London once told me that he was tempt
ed to induce some one to hiss me, as the
sound of hiss seemed to stir me up to
more vigorous speech.
was never utterly put down by an
opposition in my public addresses. l
have been sorely tried. On more than
one occasion / have found it was no use
to employ arguments with those who
were determined to annoy me, but if
possible would think of some apt story
to get the laugh on them; and then l
always managed to maintain my ground.
Occasionally, the most practised speak
er will be thrown off his guard if not
self-possessed, and even with all his self
possession may be considerably disturb
ed. He sees all before him. some
trifipg incident, some untoward acci-
dent, may upset his gravity.
At one time couple were seated be-
fore me on the front seat They had eV-
identity come to hear what was to be
said; just the people one likes to speak
to. They were not critical, but came to
the hall to be pleased (and it depends
very much on the audience whether they
are pleased or noD.
Sit cold, critical, determined not to
be moved, and let the speaker see the
slight sneer on your face at his efforts.
Look at him as much as to say, "What
are you going to do next?" and you will
SO destroy the elasticity of any speaker
that, if he has not the ability to turn
away from you he will be seriously en-
barrassed. But take your place with
the desire to be interested, look at the
speaker as if you would say, ''We have
come expecting and desiring to be pleas
ed now do your best and We will show
our approval" and you encourage him
to do his best.
There are audiences that are positive
ly cruel to speaker, and who, without
intending any wrong, may do essential
and permanent injury to timid speak
er, who by little encouragement might
be a splendid success. The audience
can hardly understand how much life an
occasional expression of approval may
put into speaker.
But to return to my couple. They
were midile-aged pair, who attracted
my attention at once. AS l rose they
greeted me with smile, and evidently
settled themselves to listen. AS l pro
ceeded, found them growing more ant
more interested, and at every point
made, one would nod to the other. A
a funny story they laughed heartily
By and by related very pathetic in
cident. Then the smiling face wa
changed to sober, then to sad expires
sion. Soon the man began to sniff
little. feeling at the same time for hi
handkerchief, which he did not find
having probably forgotten it and left /
at home. He felt in each of his pocket
and then wiped his eyes with his hand
[ Seeing his wife's handkerchief in he
lap, he took it and began using it. Th
wife soon began to sniff. and felt for he
handkerchief. Missing 1t, she foun'
her husband using it; and so, with
loving, wifely motion, she leaned towar
him. and taking one end of the hand
kerchief, she wiped her eyes with II
The sight of that pleasant couple. wiz
E their eyes on the same handkerchief, g
excited my sense of the absurd. that
had hard work to keep my face sober
and was compelled to look in anothe
direction to maintain my gravity.
Then again. speaker may be consid
erably annoyed and perhaps vexed b
the conduct of some one person in hi
audience. A man once sat before M
who, in the midst Of nay speech, osteI
tatiously took out a newspaper. opene
it and began to read. turning it owe
with very unpleasant rattle. I bol
it as long as thought it best, and the
I said few words. requesting him
bear with the speakers lack of power
interest him, and to 60 to sleep rath'
than to disturb those who wished to Ii
k ten.
e Once couple of young ladies had t
n ken seat directly in front of me, an
1 had hardly commenced when they con
e menced to whisper and giggle. and b
i came SO excited in their conversatic
" that they were evidently annoying otl
y ers. l did not like to tell them to ste
y talking, SO | said: "a minister told n
| he regretted very much rebuking tv
= young ladies who were disturbing hi