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. Kings of the platform and pulpit ... : personal reminiscences and anecdotes of noted Americans. 34 KINGS OF THE PLATFORM AND PULPIT. they always came just in the place that one least expected to find them. Half theenjoyment of the evening lay, to some of those present, in listening to the heartycachinnation of the people, who only found out the jokes some two or three minutesafter they were made, and who laughed apparently at some grave statements of to paper, the showmans jokes are certainly not brilliant; almost their wholeefEect lies in their seeming impromptu character. They
. Kings of the platform and pulpit ... : personal reminiscences and anecdotes of noted Americans. 34 KINGS OF THE PLATFORM AND PULPIT. they always came just in the place that one least expected to find them. Half theenjoyment of the evening lay, to some of those present, in listening to the heartycachinnation of the people, who only found out the jokes some two or three minutesafter they were made, and who laughed apparently at some grave statements of to paper, the showmans jokes are certainly not brilliant; almost their wholeefEect lies in their seeming impromptu character. They are carefully led up to, ofcourse; but they are uttered as if they are mere afterthoughts of which the speaker ishardly sure. His humor was so entirely fresh and unconventional, that it took his hearers bysurprise, and charmed them. His faOing health compelled him to abandon the lect-ure after about eight or ten weeks. Indeed, during that brief period, he was once ortwice compelled to dismiss his audience. Frequently he sank into a chair and nearlyfainted from the exertion of dressing. He ex
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, booksubjectamericanwitandhumor