Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Jennifer Goslee and the Online
Distributed Proofreading Team.
Collected by THOMAS L. MASSON
Published by DOUBLEDAY, PAGE & COMPANY for REVIEW OF REVIEWS CO. 1922
There is a wide difference of opinion, even among the mostdiscriminating critics, as to what constitutes the point of a good joke.Aside from varying temperaments, this is largely due to one's experiencewith life in general. Or intimate acquaintance with certain phases oflife gives us a subtler appreciation of certain niceties, which would belost upon those who have not traveled over that particular path. Thedoctor, the lawyer, the family man, and the soldier, each have theirminds sensitized to their own fields of thought. Human nature, however,works according to universal laws, and a really first-class joke strikeshome to the majority.
The compiler of this collection has had it in mind to get as muchvariety as possible, while at the same time to use only such material asserves to illustrate some easily recognizable human trait.
It is almost needless to say that this book should not be readcontinuously. It should be taken in small doses, as it is highlyconcentrated.
Many old friends will be noticed in the crowd. But old friends, evenamong jokes, should not be passed by too lightly.
A young lieutenant was passed by a private, who failed to salute. Thelieutenant called him back, and said sternly:
"You did not salute me. For this you will immediately salute two hundredtimes."
At this moment the General came up.
"What's all this?" he exclaimed, seeing the poor private about to begin.
The lieutenant explained.
"This ignoramus failed to salute me, and as a punishment, I am makinghim salute two hundred times."
"Quite right," replied the General, smiling. "But do not forget, sir,that upon each occasion you are to salute in return."
It is never wise to jump to conclusions. Always wait until the evidenceis all in.
A Jersey man of a benevolent turn of mind encountered a small boy in hisneighborhood who gave evidence of having emerged but lately from asevere battle.
"I am sorry," said the man, "to see that you have a black eye, Sammy."
Whereupon Sammy retorted:
"You go home and be sorry for your own little boy—he's got two!"
A certain Irishman was taken prisoner by the Huns. While he was standingalone, waiting to be assigned to his prison, or whatever fate awaitedhim, the Kaiser came up.
"Hello," said the Kaiser. "Who have we here?"
"I'm an Irishman, your honor."
Then he winked solemnly.
"Oi say," he continued. "We didn't do a thing to you Germans, did we?
Eh, old chap?"
The Kaiser was horrified. Calling an orderly he said to him:
"Take this blasphemer away and put a German uniform on him, and thenbring him back."
Shortly the Irishman was returned, in a full Ger