The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-08-12
throwing himself into a chair ,oo.
ing bored. '"oA'

throwing himself into q chair loo..
ing bored. '''A'
Now, Ned had never before Wit.
nessed one of the specialties of the
sh.ed Joel. He had heard him sinr
~ tne choir and spout election times.
out this was star rendition
Joel had some voice-in fact too
much OF 1t. The Gladiator" he rep-
resented made Ned smile. He must
nave been born with a cold The
lunny part Of it, however was the
most e1cruciatingly funny spectacle
Neo mad ever come across. Even the
agent was stimulated. He sat un M.
iace aelow with amusement. Ned hid
oenind screen and held his sides tn
keep from yelling outright.
1t was the gestures Of Joel that
were appallingly ridiculous. In the
iar east glow" and he nuns his
nand to the south. up among those
molly stars" and his finger pointed
through to China. Il am rock.root.
ed and he stood limp and awkward.
my tender. gentle love" and he
scowled and struck the attitude of 4
prize fighter. His arms continually
swung about like windmills, he glided
where he should have fingered, he
WINGED, he grimaced, he went bounc-
Ing about like a jumping jack.
! "There!" he shouted, breathlessly
triumphant at the last. what do you
think of that"
MY friend" said the agent, arising
suppressing smile, your forte is pan
tomime. You are wonder as facial
contortlonist Show in the next client,
ne ordered to his office boy. Good
day, sir"
Joel Randall was scandalized. He
TUNED, he raved to his companion.
Why, the arrogant nonentity!" hs
stormed. Does he take me for q
Humpty Dumpty clown? He's jealou.
of my voice. Ned. you're a friend?'
DO you doubt 1t, Joel?"
NO. and | hope you will do some
thing for me"
And what's that, Ned?"
Il want you to find me an unpreju
diced audience. All strangers, and un
prejudiced. Let me come upon then
Unexpectedly, Their verdict shall de
eide and establish or doom my loren
sic ability"
"Ah, my chance." chuckled Ne,
Wallace jubilantly to himself "Dea
Winnie, I'm going to win her, sure,
and two days later Ned advised hi
friend.
Joel, I've arranged it all. At S:3
this evening you are to go with m
to deliver your two special voice fes
lures before an audience of 100 pee
ple'
Where are they" questioned Joe
mo, no, JOEL" chided Ned playfully
You wanted strange audience, 20
said. Keep 1t strange to yourself a
well. I'll guarantee most strang
and attentive audience"
And that evening the two friend
entered a large building and wer
shown behind the stage. A few mil
utes later Joel faced a good sized al
dience. He was encouraged as h
noted the eager and attentive expre'
sion in the bright, cheerful faces b
fore him.
He sang his favorite song frs
There was some applause, not mucl
1t was when he began his GRAFTON abo,
The Gladiator" that many of the al
dience began to writhe. They uttere
no words. They simply smiled, smile'
smiled. Then they writhed. Two {
them fel. over in their seats.
Did you see!" cried Joel. as h
came back to Ned behind the scene
you could have heard pin dro
They were actually hypnotized into q
tention and appreciation"
Ned nodded and smiled Then,
they reached their hotel, he let tt
cat out Of the bag.
Joel" he said, that was the on
audience l could arrange for. The
are inmates of an asylum"
What kind OF an asylum? que
toned Joel.
: Deaf and dumb" replied Ne
Those who couldn't hear, were
amused with your pantomime tn
they nearly had fits. Those who cou
hear, weren't much impressed WI
the big voice, So
i Joel flushed. Then he got ma
!. Then he said something about Z
g unappreciative world" and vowed
would let it 60 to pot!
Z As to Ned, he took his friend nom
cured, Of his rare gift and won
-~.~. oro-Wiunief