Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-12-23
QUEER IDEAS OF FUN.
SAvAGES WHO LAUGH ONLY WHEN
SOME ONE IS HURT.

/ Torture Send Them Into n Frenzy
| of Observation-Disclosures Punishment,
That Evoke YeIIs of GIee.
| The laugh, which is now so closely
| associated with good humor and kindly
| feeling, originally implied nothing OF
| the sort. 1t expressed almost the reverse.
1t was the crow of triumph over a fallen
| foe.
Such is its nature still among savages
| and barbarous peoples, and its unexpect
ed manifestations are occasionally very
startling. Dancing on the body of a
PROSTATE enemy is to them hilarious
business. The writing of victim un-
der torture Is the funniest thing imagi-
nable. \ new device for torment is a
clever jest. The inficting of a CHASTITY
wound as some poor wretch runs the
gantlet makes them yell with glee. The
things that shock 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 nc
appreciation of civilized humor. He
can't see where the fun comes in if no.
body is hurt
This was curiously illustrated not long
ago when considerable number of
Cinnamon went to a New York theater
TO see 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. It was strange thing to
witness, but it was all in perfect keep
ing with the cruel instincts of their
race.
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: Il
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 We're ed
out in squads OF five or six TO be shot s,
while those who were waiting thei-
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 wretches who were about to go
through the same experience seemed SO
fine show and so excruciatingly funny
that they were fairly convulsed with
laughter.
IL. e
such doubtless We're the beginnings of
mirth the world over. Strange as it
may seem, there are many hints of this
barbarous origin III the fun of the most
highly civilized. We no longer laugh
at really tragic occurrences, it is true.
for other and more humane emotions
are too strongly excited.
But if we chance to see ridiculous
mishap which does not quite rise to the
dignity of tragedy-an accident by
which some one is greatly Inconvenience
ed and annoyed without being seriously
injured-the remnant of the savage
breaks loose in us, and we laugh till the
tears come.
Why else are we amused when we
see well dressed man thrown sprawl
ing in the mud or deluged with dirty
water from an upper window or driven
up tree by a cross dog or an ugly bull?
Why else do we SO keenly enjoy the
agony of q man who has accidentally
pounded his finger nail, instead of the
tack he was driving into the carpet, or
laugh at the unfortunate who blindly
steps on stray barrel hoop which fiips
up and slaps him in the face? Instances
might be multiplied without limit.
1t is noticeable that children often
laugh at things which do not amuse
adults, but, on the contrary, shock and
pain them. That is because the child's
finer sensibilities are rs yet imperfectly
He is still near the savage
state. There is a very prevalent senti-
inent to the contrary, but this is the
fact.
In proportion as men become truly
civilized, however, their sense of humor
becomes refined, and they revolt at any
of brutality. Yet it is worthy
of remark that the gentlest among us
are frequently amused at picture or a
story representing things the actual &C.
of which would shock US great
ly.-Boston Post.