New-York tribune., 1903-03-29
EMBARRASSED SPEAKER.
One Audicnce Vas Cold and Another
OrPreptRusjnsfjc.

The ''spenbinder' had Just finished his labors IN
an exciting campaign, and he seemed 70 be glad it
Well" he said as he lighted a fresh cigar and
ordered more coffee. two experiences which had
over on the East Side OF the city in This cam
paiGn gave me shocks from which I did not re-
cover IN some time I have talked TO cold audi
enCcs and to overenthusaStIC ones, but nothing
like the two Of which I speak ever h"fore and
don't to repeat either experience Other peo-
pie might think the incidents funny. but they did
not strike that way at the time At the drst
place I observed thar there we're good many men
OF German appearance in the hall. and the char
undoubtedly a German and spoke With
strong accent. That was nothing unusual how
ever. I began my speech with q Coup!s o: stories
that I thought were humorous. but not 4 man IN
the audience cracked smile This Jared ne
little but I pulled myself together and gave then
a straight out and out argument IN ny 3-St sty.s
and most earnest manner.
I spoke perhaps twenty minutes. but my sTeech
was punctuated with neither applause ror laughter
IN fact, it yeritable frost Not d sound TO-
lowed my peroratton. I was considerably crest
fallen and afraid I had inadvertently touched
upon an unpopular topic. I spoke 10 the chalrr,eg
and said him quietly: I did not seem ~ Take
much Of a hit with Your peop,a-'
On, YOU must not mind that he said in
cent shall not try to Reproduce. they are ali Ger
mans and not one Of them understands English
The other experience I spoke o. IN the
Italian quarter The hall not large, but II = -
crowded The chairman Vas an Italian who spoke
English so brokenIy that IT difficult 70 under
stand him times
Il started off with one or two stories and rEcss
in the audience a2plauded. but did not smile, 7
thought they took tho matter rather seriously oIt
anything was better than =tolid silence took -
the thread Of my serious argument. and vas
somewhat put out Of CoIntenanCa by outbreaks ~
mirth at points which 10 me did not seem to call
for laughter. At other times the applause would
be vociferous. and would often come when least
expected it. I began TO have grave doubts about
my own Judgment. huJ as tno audience rose up
and applaUded loudly for minute or more when
finished felt more red$SUrPd-
Il sat down the platform and listened to the
next speaker being curious t. observe how the au-
ditnCe would receive his arguments Presently
the chairman of the meeting. who sitting al
hands. each side, and extended one GnGer on
each. Immediately those IN the audience. almost
the laughed outright Nothing which the
speaker had said seemed 10 me- to call TOT this
demonstration Of mirth- \ moment later the
sneaker told Z really humorous story There was
two arms of the chairman worked like pump handles
again. hut this time fingers were extended on
each hand. and th~ audience meldtely applaud
cd and did 10 with see ming h@drtlneSS also
The new speaker tluSt0Tsti. 1 had been
and he his speech short as could plainly see
1t was not 50 brief. however, To avoid several
When he finished the chairman raised both hands
with all fingers diSteudcd and the aud"nc" do
itself proud in the enthusiastic manner in which
the cheering carried on inns ldG lIle sd
effect on the new man that II had had on me-
and went ont together hc remarked tFat n
guessed he had made quit" hit We had a drink
he a young man. did not have the heart l.
tell him what l had seen while he was speaking