The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-11-05
MAx o'RELL IN PORTLAND.
Doesn't Think Portland Audiences 8
are Enthus a site.

Ia his new book "a Frenchman in Ameri-
Ca" Max o Rel, gives the following sketch
of his experience before a Portland audi
ence. 1t will be seen that he habltually calls
Portland "Portsea
have been In the State of Maine for two
days; a strange state to be In, let me tell you.
After addressing the Connecticut audience
In Meriden few days ago, thought 1 had
had the experience Of the most frigid audi
ence that could possibly be gathered togeth-
er. LAST Tuesday night, at Portsea, was
uudeceived.
Halfway between ST. Johnsbury and Port
sea, the day before yesterday, was told that
the train would be very late, and would not
arrive at Portsea before half past eight. My
lecture in that city was to begin at eight.
The only thing to 90 was to send telegram
to the manager OF the lecture. At the next
station 1 sent the following:
Train late. Ii possible, keep audience
waiting half an hour. VIII dress on board" /"
dressed In the stateroom of the parlor-
arrived at Portsea. l Immediately jumped
into cab and drove to the City Hall. where
the lecture was to take place. The building
was lighted, but, as | ascended the stairs,
there was not a person TO be seen or a sound
to be heard. "The place is deserted" /
thought; "and If anybody came to hear me,
they have all gone"
/ opened the door Of the private room be-
hind the platform and there found the man
ager, who expressed his delight to see me. L
excused myself, and was going TO enter into
a detailed explanation when he interrupted /:
lob. that's all right"
"What do you mean ?" said l. "Haye you
got an audience there, on the other side Of
that dOor?"
"Why, we have got fifteen hundred peo-
ple."
"rhere?" said l. pointing to the door.
"Yes, on the other side OF that door"
"But can't hear sound"
II guess you can't But that's all right /;
they are there"
gize to them for keeping them waiting three
quarters Of an hour"
Well, Just as you please" said the mana.
ger. III wouldn't"
Wouldn't you?"
MOL guess they would have waited
another half hour without showing any sign
of impatlence."
opened the door trembling. My desk
was far, far away. My manager was right
| the audience was there. | stepped on the
| platform. shut the door after me, making as
| little noise as could. and. walking on tip
| toe so as to wake up as few people as posi-
BE. proceeded toward the table. Not on,
| person applauded. A few people looked III
| concernedly, as II to say, II guess that's the
| show" The rest seemed asleep, although
| their eyes were open.
Arrived at the desk, faced the audience
aud venturec little Joke, which fell deal
| fiat.
l began to realize the treat that was Il
| store for me that night.
| tried another little joke. and-misse'
| fire.
"Never mind, old fellow" said to my
| self; "lt's $3.50. go ahead"
| And | went on.
| L saw few people smile, but not on
laughed, although l noticed that go Z
many were holding their handkerchief over
their mouths, probably to stihe any aItempl
| at such a frivolous thing as laughter. lhe
eyes of the audience, which l always Wstcn: ~,
showed signs of interest. ana n1oIa1 nSa'
the hall until the conclusion OF tne lecture t'
| When | had finished l made smail DOW,
when certainly fifty people appiauded'
| imaeined they were glad 1t was all over:
ssWeIl0 I said tn the manager, when hat
| returned to the little back room, Il suppose
we must call this failure.
| "a faIlurel' said he; Its nothing Of the
| sort. Why, 1 have never seen them so en-
| thusIastic In my life"