Osage Valley banner. (Tuscumbia, Miller County, Mo.) 1879-1881, 1881-03-31
A LAUGHING FAMILY.

- AsANNNNhN 4 AhWAttAs
The Strange MaiRd, watch : mict. a Faml.
~ tisnz thc Delaware TrUisirss Embrts
90 stay f'erissiie H.anzh,er Tales Fold by
Straight acr0ss the Delaware from
here, ANA back among the hills which
ria parallel with the river for many
mites, lives family concerning whom
the stranuest stories are told. 1he ia
thur aud sous are farmers, aud all live
IN a large. substantial house, few
xaiids from the road 20 Doylestowu.
They are ali chronic laughers, having
anallection Of the muscles of the mouth
and throat which compels them to give
vent 90 apparent merrinent at stated
intervals Tho malady first appeared
IA the father about ten years ago. He
was usually very quiet man, enjoying
fun, but manifesting his enjoyment
without much noise. lie WAS seated at
the dinner table one day in the spring
OF the year, eating steadily and not en-
gaging IN any of the conversation which
The other members Of the family were
carrying OH. Suddenly, without nny
cause, he burst into loud III OF laugh
ter 50 extremely different from his ac-
cust0med laugh that all were attracted
by il at once. When asked what was
the reason for his sudden Outburst he
made no reply, but continued his merri-
mont. Some OF the boys thought he
had mysteries and pounded him on the
back. but Il did no good, Alter few
moments he made motions for pencil
and paper and wrote that he was unable
10 control his risibles and asked them TO
send for doctor.
THE NATURE or THE MALApY.
The rural physician came. but could
give no remedy that stopped the laugh.
ter. Peal after peal 0f what sounded
like the hcartiest kind OF fun came
from him. and nothing would avail 10
prevent T. The doctor finally came
10 the conclusion that lac was the vic
tim Of nervous attack, and, leaving a
neryine, departed. The father con
tinued laughing until about sundown,
when he suddenly stopped and fell on
the floor, completely prostrated. He
scOngrew better, however, ate hearty
supper aud spent the evening much as
usual, No signs Of return OF the Odd
trouble appearing, he went tO bed and
was soon fast asleep. Along about two
g o'clock in the morning, however. his
wife was awakened by his laughter, and
the same symptoms manifested them-
selves as on the afternoon previous.
lie kept il up until seven o. clock, laugh
mg loud and strong. AT seven
O'Clock the noise suddenly ceased
and did not return again until
dinner time. Thus IL continued, re-
curing each day shortly after noon
and IN the night about two o clock, and
has ever since. AS the weeks passed
he grew 40 accustomed 20 the disease
that he was caused very little incouyen-
ienne by II. He did not get tired out.
as at irst, and soon was able TO 60
about his work sowing seed and plant
ing corn, digging vegetables and wa
tering oattle--while laughing immoder-
atoly. He could not talk while under
one OF the spells but carried a State
and pencil around with him, after the
fashion OF a deaf and dumb person.
THE LAUGHTER SPREADS.
The trouble was very regular in lis
coming and going and only occasional
= " broke forth at unlooked-for seasons.
Once the old man was taken in church
Just when the minister was eXhOrting
ms hearers in the most solemn strains
and spoiled the effect OF the discourse
besides Disturbing the equilibrium o.
the Clergyman. Another time he wa
found by one Of his neighbors along tbs
road, lying beneath q bag of flour
laughing at terrific rate. He ha'
been taken while driving home from
the mill and the suddcnness of the
sounds frightened the horse, causing il
10 run away and dump the man and
part Of his load ont IN the road. Fol
eighteen mouths the father was the only
one Of the household afflicted with th'
maladY. Several OF them had com
plalned from time 10 time of an incli
nation 10 join the father in the laugh
but none Of them did so until nearly tw'
years after he was taken, when Susie
tho youngest child. suddenly burst into
AAfnilar III during ono of her father
attacks. From that time ON she ha
laughed at about the same hours hel
latherdoes. One by one the remaining
members fell victims TO the strang'