The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-08-31
Children's Column.
From the New York Observer.
Juvenile Philosophers
How they Philosophical at Greenwood
Lake.


How they Philosophical at Greenwood
Lake.
Philosophy is generally associated with
grave and elderly people; but am sure
my little friends would like to know how
some young philosophers spent their time
at Greenwood Lake, while the older ones
were discussing wise problems in the
Summer School of Philosophy.
A number of ladies and gentlemen
might have been seen hurrying to the
steam-cars, carrying innumerable pack
ages and looking very wise. Among all
these was little Ina, bright girl of ten,
holding in one hand her mothers and in
the other large paper bag of biscuits
and candies. She eagerly glanced round,
as if in search of something, and, as her
mother led her to seat a sigh escaped
her, as she said: Mamma, there are no
little girls or boys here; am the only
one ?"
Perhaps some children may come
by-and-by,' replied her mother.
Where are you going?" asked a
benevolent-looking old gentleman in the
next seat, who was adjusting his specta-
cles to his nose.
ment, then, tugging at her little brown
travelling-suit, so as to place the folds
in becoming form, she folded her hands
and replied in dignifed manner: Why,
sir, we are all going the same way"
And where may that be ?" asked the
gentleman, laughing.
Don't you know where you are 60
ing?" asked Ina, with open eyes,
Yes, of course 1 do, but I want to
know where you, little miss, are bound"
" am bound for the School of Philoso-
ply at Greenwood Lake. 1t is not there
you are going?'
"No What's the school for?-never
heard of it."
Never heard of it, calculated Ina
with establishment. az thought big folks
knew more than little ones about such
matters the school is where big folks
learn philosophy, and you ought to go
there"
What are you going to do there p
To look on and learn to become a
philosopher, I suppose" replied Ina.
Here this pleasant conversation was
interrupted by the conductor announcing
that all scholars of philosophy should 60
into a special car; on which there was a
general rush for umbrellas, waterproofs
and mysterious packages, which had
been comfortably slowed away, Ina s
paper bag gave way, and there was a
shower Of biscuits and candies on the
floor.
ooh, mamma, my bag has torn, what
shall do?" cried Ina.
"Never mind but hurry up, or we
shall miss the train"
ooh, must I go to Philosophy and
leave my candies Pit will be awfully
dry without them" and she hastily
crammed her pockets with as much as
they could hold, and lightly jumped off
the car.
On entering the special car she dis
covered another little philosopher; after
a good deal of kissing and hugging, the
two children sat down on the same seat,
and Ina related in mysterious manner
that gentleman in the other car did not
know anything about the School of Phi
losophy.
why, he must be fearfully ignorant,
for it is in all The papers" replied her
companion.
"Just think, he did not know as much
as we do, said Ina, triumphantly; but
/ tried to make him understand"
After ride of over two hours or more,
the big and little philosophers arrived at
their destination; small steamboat con-
veyed them across the lake to the philos-
ophers' encampment. On landing. the
philosophers were shown to their tents,
which were pitched on the banks of the
: lake, under the shade of beautiful trees
"a genuine forest. The canvas tents
lotAed picturesque, and made one think
of old patriarchal days-the primitive
days when fashion was thing Unknown.
Ina remarked that living in those
tents was as good as living in Egypt" a
very philosophical remark indeed, for no
kind of habitation could have been bet
ter chosen for philosophers.
Here is splendid place for my ham
mock, mamma" philosophically said Ina
"please fix it up for me"
Not till after the lecture, for I have
no time to do it now"
could not take it with me and fix
it there?" sighed Ina, who was all for
comfort.
Certainly not What a ridiculous
question"
After a rest Of few minutes the phi