Morris tribune., 1882-03-16
STATE FRIGHTENED LECTURERS.
Burdette, Beecher, Triton and Philips
Afraid of Their Audiences.


Afraid of Their Audiences.
l went the other evening and caught
Robert j. Burdette in the ante-room at
Chickering hall, just before going on the
stage with his funny lecture, writes New
York correspondent of the indianapolis
Journal. "A-h," he exclaimed, with
tremendous respiration. Well, bnt am
glad you have come! Now; talk to mel
Talk to me" and he continued walking up
and down the floor after shaking hands.
What do you mean?" said. Are yon re-
hearsing? Have interrupted yon3 Do
you want to be alone2"
NO! mol" he exclaimed eagerly. walking
up to me. "Dont leave me. Don't 60
away"
What on eatrh Is the matter?" l asked
Scared" he said, with querulous
laugh. Then I laughed. "You don't be-
lieve me. It's true, though. I'm afraid to
go on the stage"
"Pshaw, man! I said, "why, you are
jokings you have lecsured for years"
Yes, seventy FIVE times this winter; but
it don't make any difference. I have to go
through this absurd experience every time.
There's no getting used to it,"
How does it make you feel2"
"Feel2 Light as cork! If was out.
side could fly right over the building.
Honestly aud seriously, if knew had got
to die tonight, should pray that the Lord
would take me jnst before went on the
stage"
Many have the same experience. That's
some satisfaction" Isuggested, "if misery
loves company"
'Yes," he said, Il told Beecher about nv
troubles, and he said, Il can tell you one
thing for your consolation; you'll never get
over it. suffer every time 60 before an
audience, and am afraid of my own congre.
CATION" But his experience doesn't give
me much comfort"
"Does your fears vanish when you get on
the stage?"
"No, it lasts some time, usually.
poke around among the audience for q
familiar face, and when l find friend
lecture right at him and 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. 1T is almost
time to 60 On the stage. If it was respect.
sickness often comes over me as it does
over school-boys who want to play hockey.
Are you my iailor?" looking no at gentle
man in swallow tail who seemed waiting
for him
Yes, you have four minutes yet"
Can't get a reprieye2" asked the oul.
pr1t forcing grim smile.
Not this evening. ANY othet evening.
You remind me of Theodore Tilt0n. When
he appeared here, though he had lsctured
i've hundred times, he was SO frightened
that We couldn't get him on the stage for a
long time. The hall filed up, the audience
clamorea, and he, hesitating to face them,
walked up and down this room, deaf to our
entreaties, washing his hands with 'inyisi-
BILE soap in inpeceptible water Finally
We got him through the door ut half-paat
eight"
told Burdette that Wendall Philips as
sured me once that he had similar expert
ence; then slipped around the orchestra.
The funny man came On the stage. began
IN tremulous voice, and his
troubled eye wandered over the audience
till he found friends, with whom he
quietly settled down and made himself at
home.
Death OF a Good Samaritan or New
orleans.
governor, an ex-governor, two gener-
ais, an editor, clergyman, a banker and q
merchant were the pail barers at the funer-
al of Margaret Haughery in New Orleans.
Numerous Societies were officially represent
ed In the procession, which was honored
in various ways on its route from the church
to the grave, even the brokers quitting the
stock exchange to stand uncovered on the
sidewalk as 1t passed by. Mrs. Haughery
was of humble Origin, uneducated, and had
boasted Of never wearing o silk dress or q
kid glove; but she was famous and beloved
as friend Of the poor children Of Lousi-
ana. Many years ago she nursed dying
man. He had little property, which be
left to her for charity. She bought with
this money cheap eating house and bakery
on tine river front, ana SOLO Wn0ie6ome 1000
TO steamboat laborers at little more than
cost. The business prospered, and she
might have accumulated wealth; but she
established and partially maintained three
orphan asylums with the profits and died
rich only in reputation.
The 1O2d anniversary Of the birthday of
R0b6rt ETnmat fha Trfall krinf o1oi,ro4.