The Lambertville record., 1908-11-11
HUMOR THAT IS NOT HUMOROUS.

uOWON ItiAI ID WI UOVONOO1.
Some unknown cause, probably the
strenuosity OF modern business life
and conditions, has brought humor in
to the forefront OF literary productions,
so far as the demands of the public are
concerned. Humor breaks the mono
tony of an active hum drum life and
causes one to forget for the time being
the ordinary every day cares and wor-
ries. Consequently humorous writer's
and cartoonlsts with originality have
come in great demand, and receive lu
crative salaries There can be excess,
however, In almost everything. Not
stopping at ordinary funmaking present
day humorists have seen fit to draw
upon the real or imaginary misfortunes
OF others as an inspiration for their
work. Subjects sacred are far removed
from the realm of humor and treated
hippantly, and it is doubtless largely
due to this that there is noticeable
lessenlng or respect for ones elders
and of acts OF courtesy generally on the
part of the youth of the land. One
phrase on this subject is brought out
very ioreibly in an editorial in recent
issue of the Home Herald entitled,
"fhe Strained Bond," which we con
sider worthy Of printing herewith:
''Ihe national census of 1900 show
ed that there were about 100000 di-
vorced persons in the United States.
Many people marry again after divorce
and are INDUCED in the married CO.
lumn. Some persons undoubtedly
conceal the fact OF divorce and merely
record themselves as "single.' Probably
many oil the very large number marked
unknown" are divorced persons. So
there is reason to believe that the num-
Der of divorced people is much larger
than the figures written in the "livorc-
ed column"
Many people have become alarmed
in recent years over the spread of the
divorce evil, and a cry has gone up for
stricter laws. But the state laws with
few shameful exceptions, are strict en-
ough when they are fairly interpreted.
Excessive cruelty" "habitual drunken
ness" and the rest OF the terrible list are
cause enough for separation. The real
evil is not that SO many divorces is OBJ
tanned, but that SO many crimes are
cause for divorce
The truth OF the matter is that we
have sowed the wind and are reaping
the whlrlwind We have made love
and marriage literally Joke. Read
the columns of any daily paper No
tee the fllppant comments ON martial
troubles Here is socaled romance
= a reckless escapade of a millionaire,
here is sneer at the morals of the
New York "smart sci" yonder is list
OF to.days divorce TRIALS, with the more
sensational causes in heavy type The
numerous columns are full of witticis-
ms ON marriage. The silly "Mr. and
Mrs Newlywed" Joke, the disgusting
MIR. Henpecked' Joke, and the brutal
"molher -in-law" Joke, are much in evi-
dence.
The newspapers are no worse than
the people at large. Our young folks
are engaged under a fire of important
comments are married under a hail of
rice, old shoes and practical Jokes, are
followed ON their wedding trip by silly
postcards Always marriage is made a
matter OF jest, After thinking of this
it is almost startling to read the solemn
words OF the ritual, "for better or
worse" "in sickness or in health I'M
til death do us part" There is no light
headedness in lheml
American men take their business
seriously. There is a ring OF earnest
ness about the financial page that
shows plainly that they pursue the
dollar with desperate zeal Men take
their clubs. their political parties, even
their sports, with grim resolve to sue,
ceed. American women take their
fashions and their social functions Sc
r,ously. They study clothes and man
ncrs with an absorbing interest
The earnestness is all that is need
ed to bring success IN any direction. II
men would resolve to cherish their
wives more than their business, if wo-
men would resolve To honor their hus,
bands more than they honor the die.
tatcs OF a seasons styles there would
be fewer divorces 1t would be grand.
er thing for America To be nation of
happy homes than to be nation of
wealth and fishion.
1919