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Rh frowned him down, and for once Mr. Sothern had a sober audience to begin with.

There was a good deal of curiosily regarding the object of the gathering, but no one was able to explain. Each gentleman testified to the fact Mr. Sothern's agent had waited upon him, and solicited his presence at a little exhibition to be given by the actor, not of a comical nature.

Mr. Sothern himself soon after appeared, and, after shaking hands with the party, thus addressed them:

"Gentlemen, I have invited you here thsthis [sic] evening to witness a few manifestatons, demonstrations, tests, or whatever you choose to call them, which I have accidentally discovered that I am able to perform.

"I am a fire-eater, as it were. (Applause).

"I used to dread the fire, having been scorched once when an innocent child. (A laugh.)

Mr. Sothern (severely)—"I hope there will be no levity here, and I wish to say now that demonstrations of any kind are liable to upset me, while demonstrations