ADDRESSING THE MEETING.

Otago Witness, Issue 1474, 14 February 1880, Page 23

ADDRESSING THE MEETING.

Chairmen at publio assemblages cannot be too careful as to whom they call upon for remarks. • The other day, while the Sunday School delegates of the Pacific coast were in cession at Sacramento, a cheerful, but not exactly orthodox looking young man drifted i into the ball, and sat down in one of the back seats; This party listened with so much critical approbation to the addresses, aud seemed to feel such interest in the proceedings, that the chairman, being at a momentary locs for a speaker, asked the new-comer to say something, under the impression that he was a member from spme distant district. The young man bashfully declined. Ho, really had nothing to say that would iuterest the audience. " Oh, but you must," insisted the bland ! ohairman; "say anything— any thiug at all you think of. Eh— by the way— what name ?" I

"Skugger," replied the bashful man, modestly. "Brother Skugger will now make a few remarks," said the ohairman, introducing him.

" Well, I— er— l hardly know what to say that would cr — er— interest this assemblage," stammered v the. young man,, blushing vio. lently. *' I see a good many young women present, however," he continued after a painfal pause, " and a3 I am recently from New York, perhaps it may interest them I—in1 — in fact, may awake a responsive thrill, of joy in their breasts to know that next season dresses will' be made to button in front once more."

And before the paralysed meeting hsid time to catoh its breath the bashful jlstranger had gen fcly but firmly slid oat.