The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1881-03-25
Sothern's Franks.

The New York Uerdld devotes much
space TO the resuscitation of Sothern' 5
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
byJohn /. Raymond, not so well known
as the general run. Sothern and Ray
mond were the principals, and it oc-
CURED while the former was playing
DHndrediy in Paris. 1t may be con
sidered funny by many people, Mr.,
Raymond says: "Ihe 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 a most grievous insult.
Dashing impetuOusly into Sothern's
drcssing-room, which was just off the
green-room, | demanded in a loud tone
that could be heard by everybody, in
slant satisfaction or his life, whispering
to Ned to keep up the joke. Always As
quick as lightning 10 take a hint, he
presently emerged, kicking me out OF
OF his apartment into the centre of the
now thoroughly alarmed people in the
grcen-rOom. ] rushed of TO get a knife
swearing vengeance. Everybody APP
pealed to me to be quiet, and try to hold
me back, while contcnded that nothing
but his LIES blood would wipe out the
insult. OF course the play had to con-
tinue, but'the actors were almost afraid
to go on the stage, looking on me as an
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 rs he came off we would have u
time | followed the instructions, aud
after the act he came down and Joined
me. The people in the grcen-room
were in the alert, and, between Ned and
myself, we gave their listening ears the
benefit of Il full chorus Of means, groans,
imprccations, struggles, and other
sounds Of distress, among which, every
now and then, my knife could be heard
oAIhlh- lilNO NOlilI Alll tllltlllN SUI Nill-
stance that sounded very like human
body. Willing, whose remarks had
been the cause of all this COmmOtion,
frightened almost 10 DEATH rushed after
the gendarmes. When the latter came
they demanded entrance in French. 4
low groan was the only response. Be-
lieying that one or both Of us was near
ly 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 IA desperate struggle.
Poor fellow, said one,n has he
got a pu'se9 He must be dying, was
the remark of another Go Tor some
suetchers' What awful fighters these
Americans arer Don'ttouch the bader
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
"A glass of champagne
quick" The poor bill-poster didn't
stop for a glass, but knocked off the
neck of bottle, and in his haste, to the
great disgust Of DaHdreary, 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 potaton.'