Sheared cream o' wit: A classified compilation of the best wit and humor — A Reader’s Guide

The Compiler’s Voice and the Anthology’s Frame

Mittler’s foreword establishes a tone of benevolent purpose: he describes his work as a “propaganda for the spread of the gospel of laughter.” The dedication to Miss Jennie C. Benedict and Miss Salome E. Kerr suggests a local, personal origin. An introductory poem by Augustus E. Willson advises readers to “homeopath these rescued treasures, / Little at a time conserves the pleasures,” hinting at a deliberate pacing. The compiler’s voice is that of a curator who values appreciation over originality, positioning the anthology as a remedy for “the tired business man” and “weary convalescents.”

Anecdotal Patterns: Lawyers, Politicians, and Dialect

The excerpts repeatedly feature lawyers and politicians as subjects of humor. One anecdote recounts a Georgia lawyer’s election expenses, listing absurd losses: “Lost two front teeth and a whole lot of hair” and “kissed 126 babies.” Another story involves a legislator moving to strike “daily bread” from the Lord’s Prayer. Dialect appears in a Jewish client’s line, “Vell, I will send the Judge a box of cigars,” and in a politician’s advice to Judge Lindsey about “iced drinks.” These pieces rely on situational irony and exaggerated detail rather than punchlines.

Pacing and the Rhythm of the Collection

The anthology’s structure—classified by theme—creates a staccato rhythm as short pieces follow one another. The excerpts show a mix of narrative anecdotes and brief jokes, often ending with a twist or a character’s retort. The pacing varies: the Georgia lawyer’s list builds through accumulation, while the lawyer-editor encounter relies on a quick reveal. Mittler’s selection favors stories that unfold over a few paragraphs, allowing for setup and payoff. This rhythm suits the stated purpose of providing “many a hearty laugh” in short bursts, whether under the evening lamp or on a train.

Readers approaching Sheared Cream o’ Wit will find a period piece that reflects early 20th-century American humor’s preoccupations—political foibles, ethnic stereotypes, and the absurdities of daily life. Mittler’s editorial hand is light, letting the anecdotes speak for themselves. The collection rewards browsing rather than sustained reading, and its classified arrangement invites dipping into favorite themes. For those interested in the history of humor, this compilation offers a snapshot of what amused a Louisville compiler and his circle a century ago.

Holding Mittler’s 1923 compilation, I felt the patient weight of forty years of gathered smiles—each joke a small, polished stone. It reminded me of a quieter, oddball echo in Atchoo! Sneezes from a Hilarious Vaudevillian — Key Ideas to Explore, where laughter isn’t collected but bursts, sudden and human, like a sneeze you can’t quite suppress—only that old book’s gentle remedy, still warm in my hands.