The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-06-19
Mrs. Wilson WOodroW'S Article
BY MRS. WILSON WOODROW,
The world famous writer on vital subleets

One of our biggest national assets is
our unfailing sense of humor; possibly
the greatest OF our national faults is
trying to be. funny.
The successful American business
man almost always has a twinkle In
his Eye. The American doughboy made
a joke Of hardship n danger and
thereby developed that morale which
made him the fighting wonder OF the
world. The American crowd, no mat
ter how peevish and fretted inc exas-
perated. is always ready to relax at
some flash Of fun from the inevitable
humorist among them.
Through the saving grace Of that
sense of humor l am sure we will new
er veer far from the line Of sanity and
order. 1t is the deadly serious peoples
that go in for excuses. Any person
or group of persons in this country who
begin to imagine that they are the
selves called to time by an irreverent
populace. With unholy glee the car
~toonists fall upon them and leave not
a shred of their p~retensions.
Yet that effort to be funny under
any n all circumstances which af-
flicts so many of US is a defect and
II which often results in disastrous
, consequences; for, although humor may
be the salt of life, one wants to re-
member that salt in Its chemical con-
stltuents Is not far removed from some
Of the most deadly and devastating
compounds first cousin OF them, as
1t were.
l heard a theatrical manager say n
time that laughter on the first night
of a comedy production-no matter how
spontaneous and continued-was no GER
tain guarantee of the plays success.
1t was the t'kind" Of laughter that
counted, he declared. If there was a
sting behind 1t, If the comedy thrusts
were cruel or unkind or poisoned. 1t
made no difference how hard people
might laugh, the audiences soon fell off.
The truth is that very few people can
appreciate a joke against themselves.
Anything that tends to ridicule their
/ personal habits or appearance or short
'comings, regardless of how funny it
is, generally hurts n is more or less
resented.
And that is lust the trouble with the
people who try to be funny. Their wit
is almost personal in its character, and
employed at the expense usually OF
some person with whom they are close
ly associated.
Husbands and wives are perhaps the
most frequent offenders in this respect.
Thrown together in close daily associa-
ton, married couples almost always find
In each other some popularity OF tenn
permanent or habit which serves as a
basis for chatting and banter.
Good -natured at first, this may from
repetition become irritating; or endured
with equanimity between themselves,
may become excessively annoying when
aired before outsiders. No one likes to
be made the butt of ridicule; but how
| often, in the effort to score a laugh,
does some husband or wife make cap
! ital of the others foibles n mistakes.
In fact, ! would be almost willing
to assert that over half the divorces
and separations have their inception
in this persistent habit of making fun,
rubbing the victim upo the. raw, as
often happens, until at last there IS q
sharp retort, and then a succession OF
recrfminations and counter-thrusts
which quickly degenerates into bicker-
ing and quarrels.
/ have III a letter before me a story
of matrimonial disagreement which l
am almost certain falls into. his class.
The wife, a young woman OF 26, VINO
has been married eight years. admits
that so far as his responsibilities are
concerned, her husband Is all that could
be desired. He is steady, dependable
and earns a good income, which ne
turns over to her almost intact 70 pc
expended for the benefit OF themselves
and their two children. And she is ap-
parently not lacking on her side. She
Is interested In her household and its
thrifty management and directs II so
well that her husband frequently praises
her ara expresses surprise AZ lHe ~
suits she accomplishes.
That should be a happy and har-
monions home. But, on the contrary,
It is the scene of almost constant strife
and bitterness. Why? ,
She explains 1t on the ground. or
temperamental differences. She is live
" and fond of amusement, she
| says, while her husband Is Of a more
staid and settled disposition. She com :
plains that when they are out together
he always tries to spoil her enjoyment.
He thinks nothing of insulting me in
front of people" she says. and does
not ever know when he does it, Then,
too, when we have words, he spreads
it broadcast, although have often
asked him to keep such matters 10
himself.
II am tired of living and quarreline
all the time. Is there no way TO- cure
him of this annoying propensity OF MIS-
| have tried everything from not no.