Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-11-06
sotbern's Franks.

Lie NEW i OK d6TUCU u6SOUcS 1uuCu
space to the resuscitation OF Sothern's
practical jokes, most Of which are
tolerably well known to all who ever
took any interest in the comedian, for
he never allowed an opportunity to air
them pass. There is one, however, told
by John T. Raymond, not so well known
as the general run. Sothern and Ray
mond were the principals, and 1t oc-
CURED while the former was playing
Dundreary in Paris. 1t may be con-
sidered funny by many people. MI,
Raymond says: 1.-THE celebrated bill
poster of Paris and London, Willing by
name, was in the green-room and made
some remark as coming from Sothern
concerning me, which purposely con-
strued into most grievous insult
Dashing impetuously into Sothern's
dressing-room, which was just off the
green-room, demanded in aloud tone
that could be heard by everybody, in
slant satisfaction OF his life, whispering
toned to keep up the joke. Always as
quick as lightning to take hint, he
presently emerged, kicking me out Of
of his apartment into the centre OF the
now thoroughly alarmed people in the
green-room. rushed off to get knife,
swearing vengeance. Everybody APP
pealed to me to be quiet, and try to hold
me back, while contended that nothing
but his life's blood would wipe out the
insult. OF course the play had to con-
tinue, but the actors were almost afraid
to 60 on the stage, looking on me as an
American who, with bowie-knife in
hand, was about to commit horrible
murder. Meanwhile Sothern had quiet
ly sent note telling me to slip into the
dressing-room again, get some stage
blood there, lock the door, and that as
soon as he came off we would have a
time I followed the instructions, and
after the act he came down and joined
me. The people in the green-room
were in the alert, and, between Ned and
myself, we gave their listening ears the
benefit of a full chorus of means, gToans,
imprecations, struggles, and other
sounds of distress, among which, every
now and then, my knife could be heard
sticking into some conveniently soft sub
stance that sounded very like human
body. Willing, whose remarks had
been the cause of all this connection,
frightened almost to death, rushed after
the gendarmes. When the latter came
they demanded entrance in French. A
low groan was the only response. Be-
lieving that one or both of US was near
" dead, they burst open the door. Will
ling was the first man to rush in, and
was followed by the soldiers and such
of the company as were not on the stage.
You can imagine their feelings when
they saw Sothern and myself covered
with blood lying on the floor, with the
CORY knife near by, the entire apart
ment in confusion and bearing evidence
of desperate struggle.
".Poor fellow said one," has he
got a pulse?' He must be dying was
the remark of another. go for some
stretchers.' What awful fighters these
Americans arer 'Don'ttouch the bladen
and other similar expressions were also
to be heard.
"Willing, with horror stricken face,
stopped over and felt of Sothern. Ned
partially raised his head and feebly
whispered. "A glass Of champagne.
quick" The poor bill-poster didn't
stop for glass, but knocked off the
neck of bottle, and in his haste, to the
great disgust of D,mdrea'y, nearly
choked him to death as he poured it
down. At this instant lifted my head
in the same way and family called,
Some wine, too Then we both rose
up on our elbows and asked for more
wine, and then to our feet, until finally
with hearty laugh at the success of
our joke, we invited the whole party to
join us in potation.''