The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1946-01-24
N.Y. Whot q Day!

bY Hardwood Knott

Dy Hardwood Knott
1t has been said that Russia s
Generalissimo Stain is a "doodler. "
We would like to add that he is
pretty shrewd old "doodler" too.
The writer of this column has
been sharply criticized Among
other things he has been called a
"half-wit' and why didn't he
direct his mind and efforts to more
useful and constructive things?
In this great universe man was
created; exactly why has been a
most controversial subject. Never
the less he was created, followed
by woma11-in recent years, how
ever, this last procedure has been
reversed. Now the world is filled
with many people in various as
sortment Of sizes, shapes, and col
! ors. Even as you and ].
At some time or another we all
have been respondent, we have
been disheartened almost beyond
endurance; we felt that it was i'm
possible to continue - life just
wasn't worth the effort. Yet some
how we managed to survive, per-
haps it was due to a friend who
engaged us in conversation and as
we talked we found ourselves laugh
ing with him, our troubles momen-
tarily forgotten
When he had gone, our troubles
, which but a short while ago had
appeared as huge frightful mon
strocities, were now only dimly Wis
ible in our mind. Unknown to us
our friends conversation had con-
tanned a trace of humor. He had
gently "kidded" us into the realizi-
ton that our difficulties were not
nearly so bad as they appeared.
In this old world of ours, where
economic strife and the confusing
problems of every day existence
confront us; little ray of humor-
GUS sunshine helps to ease our
thoughts from the weary struggle
and seems to bring that evasive
goal Success just a little nearer.
Back in medieval days the Kings
Court had its Jester" also known
as the court fool" But fool or
not he was accorded privileges en-
jOyed by very few except the King.
Even in those days the people knew
and understood the necessity for
humor.
In the years of our recent war
the commanders realized the need
of entertainment for our soldiers.
The word was sent out and we are
happy and proud to say, lit was
answered in full" The entertain
ers received sea and air priority
over all others, because it was as
necessary to preserve the mind as
it was necessary to preserve the
body. If the mind were allowed to
deteriorate, the body was useless.
The majority of the entertainers
were girl singers, and comedians |
Unanimously the boys wanted !
laughter and amusement to rest
battle weary minds from the prob
lens of the day. Were not they .
themselves playing the lead in one
of the greatest, most terrible, real
istic dramas ever enacted2
There are many ways in which I
humor is served. Some people de-
light in seeing humans and animals
suffer, they think the antics of a
dog with a can tied to its tail is
Just about the funniest most hum
orous sight they have ever witnes-
sed. And there is the ever ready
prankster, who gets his humorous
enjoyment from the panied, sur
prised, and himiliated actions of
his victims. There are many who
derive enjoyment from bringing
JOY to others, in good deeds, and
many other ways, such as giving
a child a toy 1t is a pleasure for
them to see and understand the
of others.
And so, as we travel on through
life let he who casts stones con-
tinue to cast. But this writer will
go merrily on his lowly way of
saying to himself. otis better, yea ]
verify, It's far better to have been
a 'half-wit' than never to have been
a wit at all