Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1893-01-27

ut a time when the cyclones orbit was
in use. stepping on a bright, new peal
of thunder" to quote from myself, I fell
quite long distance with very little OBJ
struction until reached the earth, when
I was shocked to find that I could pro-
coed no farther. !
Starting up, however, l was Mortified
to find before had proceeded two steps
that my choicest leg had been broken
just below the knee. After weeks of
suffering at a village, to which I was
carried by admiring friends, I was led
to believe from the large number Of peo-
pie who came long distances to view the
shattered limb that if could get it on
the stage, together with few explain
atory remarks regarding atmospheric
phenomena, would entertain and in
struct while possibly detracting atten-
ton from the accursed ballet and thus
elevating the stage. ....~.. ,..-
A New York manager: had; previously
written me regarding the possibility of
my lecturing, and I had been just coy
enough to keep him interested. Thus as T
began to get around on crutches could
not overcome the desire to appear in
public, so that those who had ''read aft
err" me could also ''sit under me-" I
wrote to this manager and told him that
he might make fifty dates for me in de-
sirable cities in December and January
at an enormous price. He wrote back
to know what printing and press notices
I had.
had one notice, which l sent to him
at once, although he never used it. 1t
was. as follows:
"Last evening Mr.. Nye spoke at the
new rink here on the subject, is or Is
Not the Tariff TAXI The speaker ar,
rived on tho 8 o'clock stage from Tie
Siding. He was the first one in the hall
and by far the last one out of it. HI
speaks with great difficulty, owing to tho
fact that he is unable to think Of things
to say. Some think he will improve
The lecture was free, and several camel il
to get warm. Those who were already
warm enough did not come in.
''The janitor tells us that the lectur'
lasted over an hour. He thinks that i
our people here had begun in time i
could have been ayerted. He is going t.
resign as janitor if the owners of tn
building do not treat him with NOR
consideration"
There were other notices that were bet
ter than the above-notices that I ha,
written myself-for I was more careful
not to wound my feelings than the NAL
who wrote that one.
After few weeks, greatly to the SUI
prise of those who knew me, got Il tele
gram asking me my price for featuring
The telegram came from small bu
very active and thrifty place. was no
ready with my lecture yet, and nj
clothes were not done, so wired bac
that I would charge $500 and expenses
! The answer by red message was that m
terms were accepted with pleasure.
This only gave me two days in whic
to study my piece and finish my clothes
It. was very annoying, but I could nc
honorably get out Of it. Also by tn
time I had grown very tired of studyin
the lecture. It did not improve on az
quaintance. Wondered how could hay
seen anything smart in it on the star
Oh, how very trite and tart and tough
seemed as I studied it walking up an
down in the granary, and how I wishe
that I had not beaten down the price
the young man who wanted to write
, good lecture for me! -.
Why did try to economic by writi1
, my own lecture? Here was a your
, man who had written lectures for 6
: the prominent lecturers Of the countr
and eight dollars was all he asked. WI
+ did try to save eight dollars and the1
by humiliate myself before the people
, Finally the job was done. The lectu
, instead of the lecturer Was committe
and the new clothes came home wi
white basting threads in them. had
,, dress rehearsal in the evening at ho1
@ before I went to bed. One good. XII
y man went from my rehearsal to sit l
with lady who had been killed by b
n husband while at tea. He went rath
4 cheerfully, it seemed to me.
q All along the way to my engageme
a I could not be happy. Everything,
~ minded me of my lecture. In my il
\, agination I could see the audience,
! first expectant, then disappointed, tn
: disagreeable, then offensive and fna
70 riotous. I could not eat anything.
!. did not feel hungry. Threaded meet
: the committee. I was tempted to {
70 killed on the road, and though I need
the advertising gave it up, for I COT
~ not think of any kind Of death that wo1
+ not make me ashamed to be laid out.
!; !: 10 r. =