Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-29
BY SIR HARRY LAUDER.

4" ever since the world began. IL
~ is such an elusive thing and
even when 1t is found, it does
net bring every desire within reach.
Rank fame, success, love even-al these
things have been pursued by thousands Of
people of all generations and the path to them
has been strewed with ruined bodies and broken
souls. Yet real and complete happiness has
seldom been attained.
What is happiness, and where IS it?
The fact that money cannot buy 1t Is surely
proved by the official statistics Of the United
States year ago, which said that n Million
aires committed suicide during that year!
How then can this thing be obtained which
may come to the poor as well as the rich, to
the unknown as we'll as to the famous?
Here is what believe to be the solution to
the problem-that happiness is to be found in
making others happy. There is no room for
a dominant self in a world of millions of in
habitantS unless it be attached to personality
like that of Napoleon or MuSSolini, and even
there there is no proof that it insures a con-
tented life. But in sinking ones own ego IN
q continuous effort to ease other peoples bur-
dens and cheer them when they are feeling
that nothing matters any more is to be found
an occupation which brings personal pleasure
Of the most real kind in its train.
May speak little of my own experience?
I have been for many years comedian who
portrays Scottish character, which I do as
fairly and with IS little satire as I may. /
have now achievsu reputation which is such
that the very mention of Harry Lauder causes
folks to smile When I appear on the stage
people sit back in their seats and get ready to
laugh.
have discovered the secret of a way to
steal away some Of their cares with simple
song or two, a joke and wee dance-a way
to make them forget the irksome little bothers
of everyday life All laugh together, feeling
bit happier and more contented when they
go out
THIS is not, of course, the direct way of
making others happy in the sense that
we can all do it by kindly word in season,
thoughtful act or friendly smile. But it is
the way Of my profession-one of the oldest
In the world, since kings testers were appointed
even in pagan days to give happiness to the
ancient courts-and one which brings all Of US
belonging to it real pleasure
Perhaps you do not know that we laughter
makers almost count your smiles when you are
there In the audiences. When the applause
II ever so little fainter than usual we notice
that and feel a. keen sense Of loss. This is
not merely professional pride either, it Is sin
cere regret that We have not been quite so sue
cessful in spreading the curious gift of happi-
ness rs thoroughly as we wish to.
1t Is curious that this elusive quality Of laugh
ter and joy should be so contagious that it will
spread from one or two persons In q few mo-
mentS 50 that it sends q whole crowd smiling!
But it makes it all the easier for each one Of
US TO ind 1t ourselves and, when we have done
so. to pass it on.
Laugh and the world laughs with you, weep
and you weep alone" Is Q true saying. More
over, being cheerful entails very little effort
and has an immediate beneficial effect On all
Of those around us.
Recently friend of mine tried to interest
me in hitter political discussion. I said to
hin,; "MOn,s ma job is tae amuse folks net tae
set them at yin anothers Threats. Whit We
should dae. If you want popular favor IS tae
start . new party altigither, which dinna bother
sac much ABBOTT beating the ikher parties as
1t did tae set them laughin' and maxim them
frienS. Let 1t be each members duty toe max
another mon smile each day: have everybody
do It and ca it the Happy Party. Yen md,
IN year or two. that It's numbers are sac
great an its majority sac great that its doc
trines have spread all over the world"
And, though it sounds like an ideallst dream,
there's germ Of sense In 1t for o. that
THINK the happiest man ever knew was
an old minister IN q. little Highland pcsuse
whose world consisted Of cOuple Of dozen
cottages In . tiny glen. He haa barely enough
DO i've on, yet somehow he contyived to be
always helping the crofters ana the shepherds
VINO. during the week, used to force o scanty
living from the hills and on Sunday went to
the wee kirk he ruled. He was q voracious
reader whenever he could get books. yet he
denied himself even those 50 as better to aid
n wNA kmSN HAA 49,
woman.
As for happiness-well. his rosy old face used
70 radaase 1t, tn spite Of tlaeir isolation. The
~noie village was possessed by the same atmos-
phere.
There Is no shadow Of doubt that happiness is
70 be found thus in making others happy 1t
means that one is never idle and that the lob