Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-24


in my pocket now" After thoughtful silence,
he added: :" think see some light on this Anglo
American joke business.
Possibly he was having joke with me- l do
not know but l thought l began to see some light
myself, though | am handicapped by American
slang. The whole discussion about national diff
ference in hurnor seems to lie in speed
On the point of speed of jokes, to speak,
Engishmen still satisfied to get their jokes in
due and proper course as they get their letters-by
mail. Now the American is younger and livelier
man Tor nation) because of his climate. He wants
speed in everything, in hu1nor. He demands
his jokes by wire telephone, or even by wireless
telegraphy. Il told ether is speedier than
electricity or sound) Like messages by telephone
or wire, they may come at any and all times and
under all circumstances. The trouble is that
after awhile Americans will become like the girls
in the sweets-shop: they will overdo this joking
business The result will be that before long the
nation will not be able to bear the sight of Joke,
any more than the sweets-shop girl can bear the
sight or taste of swect-stuff
American humor is too much like the traditional
Donnybrook shillalah: ready to hit any head that
may show up. This is hu1nor run wild and much
out of harness There is too much of it; that is
probably the reason Americans demand eXtraordi-
narily keen and sharp points whitfield their jokes
The epidemic of joking has reached such a point
that everything must be made funny Few things
escape it now, and before long those few will
be gathered into the fold Journalists must present
the humorous side of politics, trades and pro-
LESSONS Criminal trials sermons, speeches and
books, criminals themselves, must be funny
to be successful If the wicked burglar of the
future make the people laugh while he burgles,
then he will be welcome desirable addition to
society If by any mischance the witty burglar
IS arrested by the comical policeman he will be merely
given wider scope to display his wit in court during
the progress of the trial. which will be an assured
success in advance, conducted in presence of low
comedy judge.
Nothing is too serious to escape the modern Joker.
From a Southern town comes story of colored
man on trial for completely in murder. 1t seems
the body of negro had been found on railroad
One of the accused offered the following defense
(Which became representative joke)
'Yor honah, wasn't guilty; sahl Now I'm
goin' to confess an prove it. l swar' an declar'
didn't have nothn to do with that man what they
foun' on the tracks, cept on'y holped tie him on
the track
After all, joking is matter wherein conscience
plays, should play, important part.
There is grave doubt about this question of the
foundation of humor Suppose there is as scientists
assert, arbitrary number of original jokes? If
the conscience of the modern joke-rnaker troubles
him about the real humor of the original fossils he
cannot consistently deal in derivatives of the fos
SLICED jokes. His conscience cannot help but worry
him. If he has any doubts, there is nothing left for
it: he should abandon his avocaton and seek out
an honest mode of making living.
Assume arbitrary number of jokes in original
humor. The tabled thirteen original jokes have
been divided and subdivided many times. Their
very number adds to-day, you might saw to their
weakness If they jokes built sand (no slang
intended), their numerical weight merely tends the
to displace the shifty foundation upon which
they were built.
1t is the fashion to twit the Englishman about his