In these trying times, laughter is needed to alleviate our stress and prevent us from going stir crazy while stuck in our homes.

This esteemed newspaper, throughout the 1890s, provided this laughter to its readers in the form of social satire. Fans of The New Yorkers Borowitz Report will appreciate the particular turn-of-phrase and wit of the Aitkin Ages editor C.C. Kellys the Town Tramp. If you want even more satire, investigate the articles written by It, a man by the name of Gawthmey.

The dictionary defines satire as the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize the stupidity or vices of people, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues. In the case of Tramp, his favorite targets seem to be Democrats, the town band, and the foibles of his friends.

In his Jan. 2, 1892 column, titled a picker-up of unconsidered trifles, Tramp wishes his readers a happy new year.

Happy New Year, good people, one and all. The Tramp hopes it may be a prosperous one to you, and that you may all turn over a new leaf and amend your ways of last year, the which he doubts not, you being human like himself might do with profit. He trusts all of you may keep the customary good resolutions for a day or two longer than usual, which will be a step in the right direction anyhow; and advises the making of few of the same ...

This seems a rather polite way to say behave better to his troublemaking readers. However, in reading through the Tramp articles, a favorite stood out.

In this favorite, Tramp takes on oleomargarine, a detestable product. He compares it to castor oil, with the scent of dead mens bones and all uncleanliness. He pleads with Hon. Kittel to ban the stuff, saying we have plenty enough cows for good butter, and if he slay this dragon which is injecting the means of madness in the very veins of life the farmers will rise up and call him blessed and reelect him sure.

Now, while this author has never tried oleo, as someone in the history field mention of it has come up. Many recall recipes it was used in or use of it from their childhoods. Never has it been described quite so strongly. One wonders was it really as awful as the Tramp proclaims? Perhaps it is time to break out these old recipes and try the stuff?

The author has provided samples of the Tramps other work for your enjoyment here. Brighten up your stay-at-home with a dash of biting humor. If you are a fan of Stephen Colbert and The Colbert Report, or The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, you will no doubt appreciate the Tramps style.

Remember, this too shall pass, and we will once again be with our neighbors and friends, once again visit museums and attend school. We at the Aitkin County Historical Society miss our visitors and members, our volunteers and student groups. We are looking forward to opening our doors to you once more.

If you have questions about Aitkin County history, visit http://www.aitkincohs.org or email Administrator Heidi Gould at achs@ait

kincohs.org.

I close this article with a quote in the Tramps writing, a quote by Jack Bunsby. It reads: Avast then, keep a bright lookout. Ahead, and good luck to you.

Good luck to us all, and we await the day we can once again be together in groups larger than 10 and closer than six feet apart.

Heidi Gould is the adminisrator of the Atkin County Historical Society.

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Laughter is the best medicine | Other Opinions | messagemedia.co - Aitkin Independent Age