Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-10
LAUGHING TO DEATH.
The Peculiar Addiction Which Has Befallen
STRENGTHENING Man.
From the San Francisco Examiner.
..Ha ha ha' Ho ho bor'

From the San Francisco Examiner.
''Ha. ha, ha, Ho, no. ho"'
A acknowledged man Of middle age. with an
expression of pain upon his face, giving vent to
continuous laughter so rollicking and mirthful
as TO convulse those who heard it. attracted
general attention on the ferry steamer Pied
mont Friday morning. The man occupied o
seat the lower deck near the lunch counter,
and though there seemed to be naught to excite
even a smile he sat holding his sides and
laughed and chuckled amazingly. He was
poorly dressed. about thirty-five years Of age
and wore long dropping mustacbe. which
during the intervals when he was free from ap-
parent merriment gave to his face sad and
solemn look. totally at variance with the Joy his
hearty laughter appeared to indicate had COM
plete possession of his spirits.
Il am suffering with a disease similar to
hysterin, said be after one of his cachinnatory
outbursts that shook his frame az if with the
ague. Il don't know how it took possession Of
me. bat up 10 five years ago l was like other
men. Now I'm a total wreck and am slowly
but surely laughing myself TO DEATH
Another hit came on and the fellow gave vent
to such hearty peals of laughter that large
and curious crowd gathered about and gazed at
him in amazenent. While he struggling
TO repress the sounds that issued from his lips a
look Of intense pain spread over his wrinkled
face and tears stood i'll his eyes.
People think I'm drunk" said he. regret
fully. when this spasm passed away. but do
not drink drop on the advice of my doctor.
NJ name! Well, nv name is John French
and I've just come from Kansas to see if / can't
get over my trouble here. You see it's mighty
provoking 10 get laughing fits every ten min
utes in the day and to wake up ut night chuck
ling fit to wake the dead It's downright pain
full. and every time these fits come on il seems
"a If my lnnards were being torn ont o me with
4
me year ago. and he SAYS it is spasmodic con-
vulsions. or something like il, of the windpipe
spiritualist doctor said it a laughing spirit
a. pOssessed me, but i don't believe in spirits.
Well, any how, it's awfGlly bothersome. | can't
go 20 church, restaurants or a funeral without
laughing fit to kill. and all the time I'm doing
1t I'm wishing. were dead
The gloomy expression upon Mr.. French
face gave way at this juncture TO one of appar-
ent JOY, for another spasnl had seized him. 1t
was an unusually long one in duration, and
when the fl; had passed away he sighed heavily,
as II in pain.
Il remember some time ago passing a house
before which stood a hearse," said he re-
hectIyely. Il stopped TO the funeral
cOrtege, and just the pallbearers appeared @
hit look me and laughed until was sore. A
crowd gathered and l was nearly mobbed be-
fore could explain matters. Another time
went 20 church and the preacher talked OF
tine soiemnity Of death and the vanities Of this
life. and just in the middle Of his discourse l
felt the laughing fit come on. got up in a
hurry but before j went ten steps Won could
hear my laugh echo from wall to wall. They
thought / was crazy and 1 came near being
arrested. Another time"
French was interrupted by another spasu,,
which continued until the Piedmont was fast
ened to the wharf. Then, a. he took Market
street ear, he said bitterly:
a dime museum manager in Omaha offered
me $50 week to travel with him ~ the cham
pion laughing freak OF the nineteenth century.
and think will accept the offer unless can
i've cured. May be, IL don't. will commit
b.. la. har' -~-<~'--
As the car sped up Market street his ringing
laugh was still heard, but the secret Of the mai
adv that is wearing his life away he keeps locked
up in his breast, while men smile pityingly upon
him anu say: " A light touch Of snakes"