Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1898-10-28
QUEER IDEAS OF FUN.
sAvAoEs WHO LAUGH ONLY WHEN
SOME ONE IS HURT.

the sort. Il depressed almost the reverse.
Il was the crow Of triumph over q fallen
foe.
Such 10 its nature still among savages
and barbarous peoples, and it's unexpect-
ed manifestations are occasionally very
startling. Dancing on the body Of q
PROSTATE enemy is to them hilarious
business The writhing Of a victim nm.
der torture is the funniest thing imagi-
nable. A new device for torment is a
clever jest. The infiicting Of q ghastly
wound as some poor wretch runs the
gantlet makes them yell with glee. The
things that shook or horrify or disgust
the civilized man are about the only
things worth laughing at from a saw.
ages point of view.
With the exception, therefore, Of
rough practical jokes, which may posi-
bly, wrinkle his stolid features with a
momentary grin, the barbarian has no
appreciation Of civilized humor. He
can't see where the fun comes in il no.
body is hurt
This was ouriously illustrated not long
ago when a considerable number Of
Cinnamon went to a New York theater
to see a ~burlesque performance. When
the American part of the audience
laughed, the delegation from Chinatown
sat with faces absolutely blank, but the
moment any hint Of brutality, tragedy
or tears appeared on the stage their
heavy features lighted and were wreath
ed In smiles. II. was a strange thing to
witness. but it Vas all iii perfect keep.
ing with the cruel instincts of their
Even the knowledge that he is him
self to be the next victim does not spoil
the fun Of a cruel spectacle for a bar
barian thoroughbred. Here is an in
stance:
A number Of Siamese who had been
engaged in a bloody revolt were cap
tured red handed and sentenced to mill
tary execution. A platoon of soldiers
was drawn up with loaded muskets, be.
fore whom the doomed men were led
out in squads Of five or six to be shot,
while those who were waiting their
turn stood by, under guard, looking on.
When the first volley was fired, the
victims, torn by the storm of bullets,
leaped into the air with violent contor-
tions and fell dead. And this to the
poor wretohes who were about to 60
through the same experience seemed 80
fine q show and 70 overwhelmingly funny
that they were fairly convulsed with
laughter.
Such is the humor Of savages, and
such doubtless were the beginnings of
mirth the world over. Strange as it
may seem. there are many hints Of this
barbarous origin in the fun of the most
civilized. We no longer laugh
at really tragic occurrences, IL ia true,
for other and more humane emotions
are too strongly excited.
But It we chance to see a ridiculous
mishap which does not quite rise to the
Of tragedy-an accident by
which some one isgreatly Inconvenience
ed and annoyed without being seriously
remnant of the savage
breaks loose in ID, and we laugh till the
tears come.
Why else = we amused when we
see q we'll dressed nan thrown sprawl
ing in the mud Or deluged with dirty
water from al upper window or driven
up a tree bya cross dog or an ugly bull?
Why else do we so keenly enjoy the
agony Of a man who has accidentally
pounded his finger nail, instead of the
tack he was driving into the carpet, or
at the unfortunate who blindly
steps on a stray barrel hoop which f1ips
and slaps him in the face? Instances
might be multiplied without limit.
It ia noticeable that children often
at things which do not amuee
but, on the contrary, shook and
pain them. That is because the ohild's
finer sensibilities are ss yet imperfectly
He is still near the savage
state. There is q very prevalent senti-
ment to the contrary, but this is the
fact.
In proportion az men become truly
civilized, however, their sense of humor
becomes refined, and they revolt at any
suggestion Of brutality. Yet it is worthy
Of remark that the gentlest among us
are frequently amused at a picture or a
story representing things the actual o.
currence Of which would shock us great
ly.-Boston Post
,Cabby's Rich Fare.
princess street, sir?'' said . cabby
outside a Yorkshire street railway sta-
ton to his fare. "Why, that's not half
o minutes wauk from 'ere."
"Eever mind, drive away" answer.
ed the gentleman.
"But I can't charge you less than l8
pence, sir; that's the legal fare"