Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1882-03-29
Stage Fright.

a New York correspondent the other
evening caught Robert j. Burdette, of the
Burlington Haiokeys, in the ante-room at
Chickering Hall, just before going upon
the stage with his funny lecture. "A-h!"
he exclaimed, with Tremendous insplra
ton. swell, but / am glad you have
come. Now talk TO me! Talk TO me-
and he continued walking up and down
the floor after shaking hands.
WHATS the matter What ails youi
What do you meani' said: ''Are you
rehearsing2 Have interrupted You, Do
you want 10 be alone.
.sNI ro." he exclaimed eagerly, walk
ing up to me; ''don't leave me. Don't 60
away"
"What on earth is the matter,' asked,
Scared" he SAID with a querrelous
laugh. Then laughed. You don't be-
heve me. It's true, though / m afraid to
go on the stage"
"Pshaw. mani" l said. ''Why you are
Joking. You have lectured for years."
"Yes-seveniy-f times this winter
but it don't make any difference. have
to go through this absurd experience every
time. There's no getting used to it.
Slow does it make you feelf,'
"Feeli Light as cork. If l were
outside could fly right over this building.
Honestly and seriously, if knew / had to
die to-nigh: should pray that the Lord
would take me just before l went on the
stage"
s.Many have the same experience.
That's SOME satisfaction" suggested, "If
misery loves company"
YES" he said. 81 told Beecher about
my troubles, and he said, 81 can tell you
one thing for your consolation; you'll never
get over it. suffer every time go before
an audience, and am afraid OF my own
congregation But his experience doesn't
give much comfort"
s.Does your fear vanish when you get
on the stage?"
..No; it lasts some time, usually. l
poke around among the audience for
familiar face, and when l flnd a friend l
lecture right at him acd don't notice any
body else. Cough tells me that he does
the same thing. He says he often finds
himself talking to some sympathetic and
responsive little group in one corner, tell
ing his stories to them alone, as if they
were in little room together"
He looked at his watch. ''lt's most
time to 90 on the stage. If it was respect
able | would run away. The notion Of
feigning sickness often comes over me -
it does over school-boys who want to play
hockey. Are you my jailorf" looking up
vt q gentleman IN a swallow tail who
seemed waiting for him.
Yes; you nave four minutes yet"
Cant get reprievei" asked the cul-
prit forcing 6 grim smile.
Not this evening. Any other evening.
ou remind me of Theodore Tilton. When
he appeared here, though he had lectured
rive hundred times, he was 50 frightened
that we couldn't get him On the stage for
long while. The hall filed up. the audi
ence clamored. and he hesitating to face
them, walked up and down his room, deaf
to our entreaties, washing his hands with
invisible soap In imperceptible water. FL
naily we got him through the door at half
past eight.
| told Burdette that Wendell Phillips
assured me once that he had had similar
experience; then slipped around into the
orchestra. The funny man cane on the
STAGE. began II q tremulCus voice, and his
troubled eye wandered over the great au-
dience TILL he found friends, with whom he
ouie,lv settled down and made himself at
home.