Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1915-07-29

behind a screen and held his sides 10
keep from yelling outright.
1t was the gestures of Joel that
were appallingly ridiculous. In the
far east a glow and he flung his
hand to the south. up among those
holy stars" aid his finger pointed
through to China. 4 am rock-root.
ed" and he stood limp and awkward.
My tender, gentle love" and he
seowIed and struck the attitude Of a
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, breathlessIy
triumphant at the last, what do you
think of that?"
My friend" said the agent, arising.
suppressing a smile, your forte is pan
tomime. You are a wonder as a facial
contortionist. Show in the next client, ."
he ordered to his office boy. Good
day, sir
u.
fumed, he raved to his companion.
Why, the arrogant nonentity!" he
stormed. Does he take me for a
Humpty Dumpty clown? He's jealous
Of my voice. Ned, you're a friend?"
DO you doubt it, Joel?"
NO, and I 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 IN
prejudiced. Let me come upon them
Unexpectedly. Their verdict shall de-
eide and establish or doom my loren
sic ability"
"Ah, my chance!" chuckled Ned
Wallace jubilantly to himself. Dear
Winnie, I'm going to win her, sure"
and two days later Ned advised his
friend.
Joel, I've arranged it all. At $50
this evening you are to go with me
to deliver your two special voice fea-
lures before an audience of 100 peo-
pie"
Where are they?" questioned Joel.
mo, no, joel" chided Ned playfulIy.
you wanted a strange audience, you
said. Keep it strange to yourself as
we'll. I'll guarantee most strange
and attentive audience"
And that evening the two friends
entered large building and were
shown behind the stage. A few min
utes later Joel faced a good sized au-
dience. He was encouraged as he
noted the eager and attentive express
sion in the bright, cheerful faces be-
fore him.
He sang his favorite song first.
There was some applause, not much.
1t was when he began his Grafton about
The Gladiator" that many of the au-
dience began to writhe. They uttered
no words. They simply smiled, smiled,
smiled Then they writhed. Two of
them fell over in their seats.
Did you see!" cried Joel, as he
came back to Ned behind the scenes.
You could have heard a pin drop
They were actually hypnotized into at
tention and appreciation"
Ned nodded and smiled. Then, as
they reached their hotel, he let the
cat out of the bag.
Joel he said that was the only
audience could arrange fer. They
are inmates of an asylum"
What kind of an asylum" ques-
toned Joel
Deaf and dumb" replied Ned.
Those who couldn't hear, were SO
amused with your pantomime that
they nearly had fits. Those who could
hear, weren't much impressed with
the big voice, So"
Joel flushed. Then he got mad.
Then he said something about IAN
unappreciative world" and vowed he
would let it go to pot!
AS to Ned, he took his friend home,
cured, of his rare gift" and won a
rarer one-Winnie!