Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-01-23
Laughter.

Laughter Is the language Of in
fancy; the eloquence of childhood
and the power to laugh is the powe,
to be happy. 1t is becoming to al
ages and conditions, and, with tn,
very few exceptions sacred to sor
SOW, an honest, hearty laugh is al
ways agreeable and in order. 1t /.
an index of character and betray.
sooner than words.
How much OF character lies in 6
laugh 1t is, in fact, the cipher
Key, oftentimes, wherewith we de.
cipher a man. AS late writer OBJ.
serves, "You know no man until
you have heard him laugh-till YOU
Know how and when he will laugh.
There are occasions-there are hu-
mors-when man with whom we
have long been familiar will quite
startle US by breaking out into
laugh, which comes manifestly
right from the heart and yet which
we had never heard before. And so.
in many heart, q sweet angel slum-
bers unseen, until some happy mo-
ment awakens it,"
Laughing keeps off sickness and
has conquered as many diseases as
pills ever have and at much less ex-
pense; 1T makes flesh and keeps it
in its place it drives away weari-
ness and brings a dream of sweet
ness to the sleeper. 1t never is COW
etous; 1t accompanies charity and is
the handmade of honesty; it disarms
revenge, humbles pride and is the
talisman of contentment. Some
have called it weakness, a folly, a
substitute for thought; but really,
1T strengthens wit and adorns wis
dom invigorates the mind, gives
language ease and expression ele-
gance. 1t holds the mirror I'D to
beauty; it strengthens modesty and
makes virtue heavenly; it is the
light of life; without it we should
be but animated ghosts. 1t chal-
lenges fear; hides sorrow; weakens
despair and carries half of poverty's
bundles; it costs nothing; comes at
the call and leaves a bright SPOT be.
hind; 1t is the only index Of glad
pess and the only beauty that time
cannot efface. 1t never grows old
1t is the same at the cradle and at
the grave. Without it, love would
be no passion and fruition would
have no joy; it is the first and last
sunshine that visits the heart; it
was the warm welcome of Eden's
lovers, and 1t was the only truth
that sin left them to begin life with,
outside the gates of Paradise. 1t is
a good thing to laugh, at any rate :;
and If a straw can tickle man, it
is an instrument Of happiness.
o, glorious laughter thou man.
loving spirit, that for a time dost
take the burden from the weary back
that dost lay salve to the weary
feet, bruised and cut by fiints and
shards--that takest blood baking
melancholy by the nose and makest
it grin despite itself-that all the
sorrows Of the past, the doubts of
the future, confoundest the Joy of
the present-that nakest man truly
philosophic-conquerer of himself
and care. What was talked of as
the golden chain of Jove was moth
ing but a succession of laughs, a
chromatic scale of merIiment, reach
ing from earth to high Olympus
Welcome honest laughter as bosom
friend. 1t is good. Humor, wit
and laughter are priceless treasures
to busy home. They have their
sunny uses. Only the wicked and
weak will shun a genial man. The
happiness of the race is his object !:
such man will improve, exalt and
gladden. life!