The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1894-11-17
FUN AT THE SUN.
An Amusing Incident at Demo-
cratic Meeting.
Mr.. Fred Talbot Brings Down the House
by Telling a Funny Story.

The recent political campaign in Cecil
county had its humorous as well as serious
side, and while 1t was not a funny thing to
be UNEXPECTEDLY beaten as Mr.. Fred Talbot
was, it is to be hoped that the recollection of
at least one good laugh at his expense will
help assuage any bitterness he may cherish
through the disappointment of defeat.
The incident to which we refer occurred at
the Rising Sun, in this county, the occasion
being Democratic meeting just before the
election. at which Mr.. Talbot, Mr.. Fendall,
of Baltimore, and Mr.. G. G. Crothers We're
the speakers.
Mr.. Talbot, popularity known as Erred "
among his intimates, came to the county in
an unusually convivial frame of mind,
although doubtless wearied in body by the
pressing work of his canvass.
AS all who know Mr.. Talbot personally are
aware, he is a free and easy speaker, eXper-
fenced on the stump, and generally keeps his
audience in good humor with himself, if not
with his political doctrines, by the ready use
of full stock of funny stories, which prac-
tice has taught him the effective use Of
oH tlt tNtulliSS Vi lii' iiiS'eiiS w 'i'N ''''''
Mr.. Talbot, desiring to use the opportunity
to do some solid work among his constituents,
requested Mr. Fcndall to open the meeting,
which Mr.. Fendall did, Mr.. Talbot and Mr..
Crothers arranging to be on hand before Mr..
Fendall had closed his speech.
The latter, upon being introduced to his
audience, apologized for not being in first
rhnt ha bnl I,n
working hard for his party and felt tired.
That if his speech was not oratorically
as graceful as it should be, his friends
should attribute the fact to his physical
fatigue.
In fact, my friends" said Mr.. Fendall,
"my tired condition recalls the story of the
Young woman out West, who rode sixteen
miles on bare-backed mare to dance.
When one of her beauX asked her to dance,
she replied THAT was what she had come
for, but if the figures she cut i'll the dance
were not as graceful as usual, that he must
excuse her."
The point in Mr.. Fendall's story was fully
appreciated by his hearers, and he duly pro-
ceeded to make "A good regulation Demo-
cratic speech.
Before he had finished, Mr.. Talbot, accom-
panied by Mr.. 'Crothers, arrived at the hall.
Not having been present at the opening OF
Mr. Fendall's speech. of course, Mr.. Talbot
was not aware how tired Mr.. Fendall was,
and that he had used the bare-backed horse
story to illustrate his tired feeling. So, when
Mr.. Talbot arose to speak, feeling just as
tired, if not more 50. than Mr.. Fendall; he
too unfortunately recalled the Western girls
physical condition after her sixteen mile ride.
to illustrate his own sorely tried body.
"My tired condition, my friends, reminds
me of the Western girl who rode bare-backed
horse sixteen miles to Il Dance" said Mr..
Talbot.
Scarcely had the sentence escaped his lips
when he was met by the instant applause of
his audience. But the fact was no less appar-
ent that Mr. Talbot misunderstood the
applause.
Supposing the novelty of the story had
taken his hearers by storm, and never
dreaming that his audience was laughing at
him, and not at his story, the speaker fairly
let himself out, and the gusto with which he
made the daring girl typify his own extremity
was awfully telling on his audience.
1t howled and it cheered, and it cheered
and it howed-the dashing girl, the bare
back mare, the tired Mr.. Fendall and the
tired Mr.. Talbot being all mixed up in the
minds of the shouters in one inextricable
jumble.
1t expresses the situation only mildly to
say. that "Freddie,' for once in his life,
brought down the house, which architectural
oratorical feat Mr.. Crothers completed, when
he, upon rising to speak, said solemnly-that
he was quite as tired as either of the two
gentlemen. but that out of consideration for
his audience, he would not illustrate his
fatigue by the stoly of the Western girl and
the bare-backed mare.
Mr. Crothers it is needless to say, made
the best point heard at that meeting.