The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1884-10-15
The Humor of Women.


We claim high rank for the humor of
women, because it Is almost exclusively
OF the higher, imaginative type. A wo.
man rarely tells an anecdote, or boards
up good story, or comes in and de-
ecribes to you something funny that she
has seen. Her humor is like a fash of
lightning from a clear sky, coming when
you least expect it, when it could not
have been premeditated, and when, to
the average consciousness, there is not
the slightest provocation to humor, pos
sessing thus, in the very highest degree,
that element of surprise which is not
only q factor in all humor, but, to our
mind, the most important factor You
tell her that you can not spend the win
ter with her because you have promised
to spend it with some one else, and she
exclaims, "Oh Ellen! why were you not
born twins" She has, perhaps, recently
built for herself most charming home,
and coming to see yours. which happens
to be Just trihe more luxurious and
charming, she remarks, as she turns
away: Cali L can say is, when you want
to see SqNator, come and visit me in Ok
ford Street," She puts down her heavy
coffee-cup of stone-china, with its un-
tasted coffee, at little country inn, say
ing, with sigh: Its no use l CAM
get at it; it's like trying to drink over a
stone-wall." She writes in letter
We parted this morning with mutual
satisfaction that is, | suppose we did l
know my satisfaction was mutual enough
for two" She asks her little restless
daughter, in the most insinuating tones,
if she would not like to Z" sit in papa s lap
and have him tell her a story" and
when the little daughter responds with a
most uncompromising mol" turns her
inducement into threat, and remarks,
with severity, "Well, be good girl, or
you will have to !" She complains, when
you have kept her waiting while you
were buying under-sleeves, that you must
have bought under-sleeves enough for
centipede." You ask how poor Mr..
x is-the disconsolate widower,
who, fortnight ago, was completely
Frustrated by his wifes death, and are
told, in calm and even tones, that. he is
beginning to take notice. You tell
her that one of the best fellows in the
class has been unjustly expelled, and
that the class are to wear Grape on their
left arms for thirty days, and that you
only hope that the president will meet
you In the college yard and ask you why
you wear it; to all of which she sooth-
ingly replies Il wouldn't do that
Henry for the president might tell you
not to mourn, as your friend was not lost,
only gone before" You tell her of your
stunned sensation on finding some of your
literary work complimented in the Ma
ton, and she exclaims: az should think
so 1t must be like meeting an Indian
and seeing him put his hand into his no.
pocket to draw out scented pocket
handkerchief instead of tomahawk."
Think over the humorous men of your
acquaintance, and you will find them,
almost without exception, to be men
whose humor Is known in literature, who
make point of writing, as well as say
ing, good things. Think over the women
OF your acquaintance, and you will hard
ly reject one from the list as absolutely
non-humorous. Call to account the GEN
tleman who is your nearest relative for
the boisterous shouts of laughter issuing
from the "den" where company of GEN
tlemen have been smoking, and you will
find that the entertainment of the time
has been series Of "good stories" or,
- VHOAS LOO OOOh any OllSludl VIII, III Is
usually, as we have said, from some one
professional wit, if we may be allowed
the expression, who has set the table on
a roar" Enter room humming with
che buzz Of dozen or two bright wo-
men, and you will never. find any one of
them entertaining the company, nor is it
at all probable that you will hear sin
gle "good story ;" each is contributing
her share to the light fun flying about,
suggested at the moment and thought no
more of.
AS an instance Of the way in which
women often react upon each other in
repartee, [ will only quote little con-
versation which it was once my privilege
to hear:
Margaret: &c wonder you never have
been married, Kate. OF course, you We
had lots of chances. Won't you tell us
how many?
Kate No, indeed I could not so
cruelty betray my rejected lovers"
Helen Of course, you would not tell
us exactly; but would you mind giving
it to us in round numbers ?"
Kate Certainly not; the roundest
number of all exactly expresses the
chances l have had"
Charlotte with sigh) "Now 1 know
what people mean by Hates circle of adj