The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1880-09-30

ing nv hat with my elbow; but not find
ing the expected relief In the occupa-
ton. was about to desist, when my hat
decided what my head could not, by fall
ing with crack on the floor. The effect
was electrical. Without one glance at
the intruder, the philosopher made a
grab at the nearest bookshelf, dragged
ont a volume which hadnot been touched
for half century, and hunted for moth
ing in its pages with frantic eagerness.
He was still at it when I stood over him
and noted without wonder that he held
the book up side down; then with the
poorest imitation of surprise which I
have ever seen, he rose and grasped my
hand. "You found me on the track of
something" he said. 81 was looking it
out in-in-"
Here it occurred to him that he did not
know the name of the venerable tomb
which he had so rr1dely disturbed and
with heightened color and a sudden
change of manner he turned quickly to
me and said, "My child is ILL" I felt
positively guilty I had been angry with
the baby for making my wise friend fool
ish for not being a boy, for being called
ga noble woman" Was it not shameful
tllstt d RItstt HulhllS bIuUC Shoulo oAOCi
at weak thing that could not even an
swer with a taunt? Were not my clumsy
sarcasms enough to crush SO delicate
plant? The poor little "noble woman"
was in danger and could do nothing to
help her. There were tears in the eyes
which were looking into mine for COM
fort; but had nothing ready to say.
81 could not stand being alone" he
muttered, after short silence; 4" the doc
tor is with her now. and in moment
may hear that my little daughter must
in fact may hear the worst. j."
While he was speaking I seemed to
have fifty consoling remarks to offer; but
when he stopped no one sentence would
disengage itself from the rest. What 1
blurted out at last seems almost ridicu-
lous as look back ON it.
"You must hope for the best" I said;
"you know she has youth on her side. ;"
The words were scarcely out of my
mouth when I heard a measured step
upon the stairs; presently the door was
opened by the noiseless foOtman, and the
most famous of London doctors entered
the room. Ny friend leaned heavily ON
nv arm, but looked at the man of science
with seeming calm.
81 am happy to say" said the physi-
clan cheerily, 'that our little friend is
going ON as well as possible"
"And she is out of danger?.
"She never was in it. ;"
"Never in danger?" cried I, almost
disappointed.
"She has nothing the matter with
her," he replied, " but slight feverish
cold. I have seldom seen finer or more
healthy child. Good morning"
never was more annoyed. Here was
a waste of my finest feelings. Here was
I, stirred to the depth, well-nigh moved
to tears, by baby's feveIish cold. Of
course was very glad that it was no
worse but my friend was too absurd,
and would not spare him.
. "Won't you resume your studies %
asked sarcastically, pointing to the dis
turbed book, which was laying on the
ground at our feet. His humility might
have disarmed me "I am afraid I've
been fool" he said, "but if you had
seen her all flushed and breathing hard
and then she is so small and fragile"
Yes, for noble woman," remark
ed: he received the dart meekly.
Philosopher" said I, suddenly, de-
termined to rouse him at any cost,
"when 1 entered this room you were en-
gagged in prayer" His color certainly
deepened "May I ask" inquired,
with an expression of Difference,
whether you were addressing yourself
to the Personal First Cause or to the
Unknowable = but perhaps you were
merely bowling to the rational order of
the universe ?"
He made gesture of impatience, but
answered still with studied moderation,
81 was alone and in trouble"
"And the efficacy OF prayer" asked
"For heavens sake" cried he, burst
ing into excitement, "stop your jargon
Nothing shows more ignorance of a sub
ject as having all its can't phrases on the
tip of your tongue. Can't I speak to
God without expecting to be paid for it. "
This was turning the tables. If he
was going to take no questions, I knew
should end by admitting myself fool.
So to avoid a Socratic dialogue I put
my hands on my friends shoulder and
said: "You are good man, Philoso-
pher; may you and the noble woman
live thousand years"
"Thank you," he said simply; " and
now you must let me go and sing pecan
with the noble woman, my patient Pene-
lope, my sweet wife. "
So he went with long strides over the
asphodel meadow, and I betook myself
to my tent, full of pleasant thoughts.