The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1888-02-25
PREMEUlTATEO PAUSES.
Unexpected Points Made by the TardJ
Ending Of "a Sentence.

Unexpected Points Made by the Tardy
Ending Of "a Sentence.
A familiar form Of premeditated
pause is often used by badgering coun-
eel who are wont 10 pause after each
word Of question, 10 give the witness
an idea that il IS Of great Importance;
but this rule is not always effective, as
the following anccdote will show:
Counsel Now what did-yOu do
you say-the---prisoner
- threw "A beer glass at --yOu"
Witnes (prOmptly)-'I lodged.
Some time ago a joke turning upon n
premeditatod pause appeared in one of
the comic papers. The scene is court
room. and the Judge addressing the
prisoner. says: fear you are a great
rogue With amazing GOODNESS tho
prisoner says: "Not such fool, my
lord. as you"-here followed a lengthy
and evidently premeditated PAUSE
"take me TO be. " This manufactr"
anecdote was doubtless suggested by
the speech made by Lord George Sack
Vile during his trial. The words used
by his lordship were: ii stand here "a
prisoner unfortunately that gentle
man" indicating the Judge -"sits
there as my Judge" The result Of the
nOn-obseyance Of the pause after "un-
fortunately" was that Lord George
was accused of contempt Of court
Lord Erskine was in the habit Of
making very effective pause in all
letters applying to solicitations for sub
scriptions. He wrote: "Sir: feel much
honored by your application to ME. and
beg TO subscribe here the reader
had to turn over the leaf-"mysclf
your very obedient servant etc.
One OF the best Instances Of this form
of pause occurred in letter received
by a popular physician. This gentle
man was pleased with certain wrated
water, and by his recommendations no
managed 10 procure for it some celeb-
rity. For this he expected neither re-
ward nor thanks. Imagine his surprise,
therefore. when he received one day
from the makers of the nrated water
an ELUSIVE letter. stating that his kind
recommendations had done 80 much
good that they vcntured To send him
hundred -- Here the pages
turned over This will never do"
said the doctor; lit is very kind, but
will never think of accepting any
thing Here he turned the page and
found the sentence ran: "Of our circu-
Lars for distribution.
1t is always advisable to hear the end
of n sentence. A literary man. for in
stance, once said to one of his lady
friends: "Will you accept my
hand Gushing maiden-"Why.
cr--so sudden--so unexpected. Lit
erary man proceeding unmoved)
"book on political economyP'
Somewhat similar is story told Of
another couple. He: How bright the
stars are tonight! They are almost as
bright as ---' She expecting "your
eyes'D: 80. YOU ilattor met He tpro-
ceeding): "They were last night"
Lord Palmerston once made use Of
some very effective pauses which no
could not have prepared beforehand.
and tlpse are worth quoting in con-
clusion. While elcctionccring at Taun-
ton he was greatly troubled by a
butcher who wanted him to support u
certain radical policy. AT the end of
one of his lordship's speeches the butch
or called out: Lord Palmerston, will
you give me plain answer to plain
question:
After a slight pause Lord P0lmerston
replied; II viii" The butcher then
asked "Wi!l you or will you not sup
port this measwc--a radical bill?'
Lord Palmerston hcsitated and then,
with twinkle in his eye. replied; II
will Then he stopped. Imme-
diatcly the radicals cheered tremcn-
dously. Not, continued his lordship.
Loud conservative cheers. When these
ceased Lord Palmorston finished his
sentence-"tell you He then immo-
diately retired. Notes and Queries