The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1903-01-07
WOMAN 5 COLUMN
EDITED BY MRS. II. NJ. BARTLETT

Not long since l read in one of the
novels of the day, this expression, "the
commercial value of a GOOD laugh"
When we think of our friends, does not
our mind instinctively dwell longer with
those with whom we have had thor
oughly good times, and whose compan-
ionship was equal to stimulent, so
joyous was their nature? 1t is said
at least l remember reading it some
where,-that George Washington never
laughed, but l cannot believe it, as only
lately in looking over a biography of our
country's father, l saw it stated that
certain PERSONS laugh was worth ten
dollars day more to him than the pom
derously serious manner of some other
fellow, although this other fellow was
perfectly acceptable gentleman in every
respect. Washington evidently realized
what it meant to the soldiers about him
to have hearty laugh in their midst.
And when we think over our circle of
friends, is it not as a rule, those who
maintain sort of, shall we say, "jolly
diapason," who get the largest salaries,
or the best positions, rather than those
who, less fortunate, preserve a serious
ness which subdues and almost de-
presses you. Now, leaving aside the
question as to the amount of incidental
fun that comes to a man who takes
cheerful view, as he journies on through
life, and also leaving out of considera-
ton the health value involved, let us
glance at the problem, and see what
moral, if any, we can find. 1t is the at
titude of certain minds to see every
thing without the least coloring, men
who have learned, perhaps through
some unfortunate experience, that
things cannot be judged too cautiously
or severely. Such men may be good
business men but they run the risk of
becoming as melancholy as Hamlet, and
acquiring the undesirable reputation of
being cross, grabbed and cynical. They
seem almost to fear that their bump of
humor may be developed. They are in
clined to the view called pessimistic,
which someone has described as the
backward view of life"
Then there is another class, the one
which plays "My Lord Reckless" get
ting themselves and their com panions in
perpetual hot water for lack of balance.
They are undoubtedly charming COM
panions for short time, but they soon
weary one, and the well-balanced mind
turns from them in disgust.
The ideal man is the companionable,
likeable man, who falls into neither of
these extremes. Sometimes you hear
at a comedy, or a company, man who
has a magnetic laugh. If it is in the
theatre you half suspect that the man
agement has placed him there to start
those about him. Surely he does affect
the entire audience and we envy those
who have the privilege of living in his
company; we fancy him to be genial,
winning and sunny. a good digestion
is certainly a great aid to a sunny tenn
permanent. Also to live for others and
forget yourself. If the tendrils OF
vine fall through the lattice into dark
cellar, they continue to grow, but in a
feeble way with pale green leaves and
yielding no bloom or fruit. So it will
be with us if we do not seek the sun
shine. Our social natures become
shrunken, we are not wanted by our
friends and are soon placed in the cate
CORY of stupid people. Thackery says:
"Stupid people who do not know how
to laugh are always pompous and con-
is nnrentle uncha ritahle