Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-01-12
The Approaching Humorist.

1no oAppfO0CnhO2 k1umOffSI.
The following letter has been re-
ceived by me. and a. it encloses no un-
smirched postage stamp to insure a
private reply. Itake great pleasure in
answering it through the columns of
the press:
Christian, Ks
Dear Sir-I an studying for Humorist
Could you help me to some of the Joliest
Books that are written? with some OF the
best Jokes Of the day. &c, &c. &c.
Also what it would be best for me TO do to
become an Humorist.
/ am said to be Natural Born Humorist by
my friends and all 1 need is Cultivation to
make my mark.
Please reply BY return mail.
HERMAN A. H.
For some time | have been grieving
over the dearth of humor in America.
and wondering who the great coming
humorist was to be. Several papers
have already deplored the lack of hu-
NOR in our land, but they have not been
able to put their finger on the ap-
preaching humorist of the age. just
as We had begun to despair however.
here hs comes, quiet y and unostenta-
tiously, modestly and ungrammatical-
ly. Unheralded and silently like Mud
S. or any other eminent man, he slowly
rises above the Kansas horizon and
tells US ths. it will be impossible to
conceal his identity any longer. He is
the approaching humorist OF the nine
teenth century.
prescribe q course Of study that will bs
exactly what you need to bring you
out. Perhaps you might do we'll to
take kindergarten course in spe ling
and the rudiments of grammar; still,
that is not absolutely necessary. A
friend of mine named Billings has done
well as a humorist, though his know
ledge of spelling seems to be pit ably
deficient. Grammar is convenient
when q humorist desires to put on
style or show off before the crowned
heads, but it is not absolutely indis-
pensable.
Regarding the "Joliest Book" neces-
sary for your perusal in order to chisel
your name on the eternal tablets of
fame, tastes will certainly differ. am
almost sorry that you wrote me because
we might not agree. You write like
one of those Jolly" humorists such as
people employ to 60 along with a pic
mic and be the life of the party, and
whose presence throughout the country
has been so depressing. II one may be
allowed to judge Of your genius by
few autograph lines forwarded, you be-
long to that class Of brain-workers up
on whom devolves the solemn duty Of
pounding sand. Il you sre really
brain-worker will you kindly inform
the writer whose brain you are working
now, and how you like it as far as you
have gomez
American humor has burst forth from
all kind Of places nearly. The various
professions have done their share. One
has risen from q tramp. until he is
wealthy and dyspeptic; and another
was blown up in steamboat before he
knew that he was humorist.
Suppose you try that, Herman. N.
Quad, one Of the very successful hu-
morists of the day, both in a literary
and financial way, was blown up by .
steamboat before he bloomed forth into
the full flush and flower of success.
Try that, Herman. 1t is q severe test
but it is bound to be . success. Even
if it should bs disastrous to you, it will
bs rich in beneficial results to those
who escape.
Prepare . few dying words. and for
ward them to me, SO that in case of &C.
cident we might be prepared for the
worst; then excurt up and down the
Great Parent of Waters, on its fathers
side until the boiler bursts. Then will
our morbid curiosity be gratified.
You will either come down one of
Americas most grotesque humorists,
or you will land in such diversified
and concus led condition that it will be
no great Disappointment to you, any
way. Try this, Herman. and, if you
desire. will procure the signatures of
a large mass Of people throughout the
United States who would be perfectly
willing that you should try the expert