Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-11-18
LAUGH CURE ADVISER
Francis f. Brandeweide Believes
in Joviality as Cure For
Human Ills
CRACKED JOKES ON SICK BED
Aged Alton (Mo.) Court cIerk Tells
How I1e Cured Himself of Paralysis.
Converts His Sick Wife, Who Ia Fast
Recoverinq-His Favorite Joke.

Recovering-His FaVorite Joko'
Joviality- unadulterated good
humor- backed up by hearty laughter,
is a positive cure for any disease. says
Francis F. Brandewiede, eighty-two
years old. clerk of the city court OF
Alton, Mo.
Seven months ago he was stricken
with paralysis both arms and legs be-
ing helplessly crippled. Today he IS
walking the streets, bantering hls
friends, joking and telling how lie
cured himself by forgetting his trou-
bles and laughing and having good
time with those who called to console
and offer their sympathy. says the st.
Louis Post Dispatch.
.If more persons would be good hu.
mored and laugh instead of bIooding
over their illness, there would not be
half so many sick in the world, SAID
Brandewiede In relating how he cured
himself. "At my age it would dliscour-
age almost any man to be stricken
helpless with paralysis, but nave
looked on the sunny side of things oil
my life, and l did not despalr, though
often overheard friends who called
to see me say that was on my death
bed this time all right.
81 Just kept my spirits up, Joked
about my illness, told good stories and
made my visitors tell me some.
laughed heartily all the time and never
for a moment gave way to gloom. !
slept Just as peacefully and sweetly as
when l was an infant in my mothers
arms. I awoEe bright and early each
morning, feeling refreshed and ready
for another days joviality.
II did not take any medicine and
attribute my recovery solely to the
bright, cheerful manner in which
bore my illness. The faith have had
all my life In the efficacy Of cheerful
ness as n cure for all ails has been
increased a thousandfold. I am not
a believer in the Osler theory, for at
eighty-two l feel Just as spry physical
" and as capable mentally MS did
forty years ago. ! am going back to
my official duties within few weeks
This rugged old man also says that
he is getting his wife, who has been
seriously III for some time, into his
way Of thinking She has. been suner-
ing from complaint which the doc
tors told her would soon necessitate an
operation Brandewiede was so cheer
full during his own illness that his
-four-year-old wife began to
partake of his spirit, and now she IL
fast recovering, he says.
For eighteen years Brandewiede has
been clerk of the city court Of Alton
| So popular is he with both political
parties because Of his gooa humor and
wit as raconteur that within the
! past few years no one has been named
on the opposition ticket. During the
seven months in which he was regain
/ ing his health by his laugh cure his
duties Mt the city court were perform
/ ed by Deputy Clerk s. r. Conor. Mr.
| Brandewiede cured himself OF paraly'
sis by spending his time OH his sick
/ bed telling funny stories and laughing
! as heartily as If he were sitting ovel
bumper Of wine. There has beer
| widespread curiosity in Alton to know
| these laugh cure tales.
! All day recently Brande,viede was
| buttonholed by acquaintance who
wanted to hear him relate the stories
/ which warded of the hand of death
| Chronic sufferers who know the jolly
CID official we've especially s.,licitous to