The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1882-04-26
THE FALLACY OF GORDON AMI
PHYLLIS.
HHarper's Bazar.l

slHarper's Bazar.l
How Corydon and Phyllis happened t.
meet at Mrs. Pettigrew's party is mystic
rious, for they both hated parties. "They
are so insane" said Corydon. "And they
tire me So" said Phyllis. "They are toe
expensive for a man with small means,
said Corydon. "And l am always SC
fri ghtened," said Phyllis. al can't spare
the time for them,' said Corydon. 81 could
enjov myself so much better at home, said
Phyllis.
If the above remarks had been made to
each other, probably neither one would
have gone to the party. Bat Corydon made
his remarks to his aunt and cousin, and
Phyllis made hers to her mamma and sister,
ana as all these relatiN es vigorously COM
bated the excuses of our young friends the
result was that both went to the party, and
other results followed.
At first. they were both disconsolate
and they took advantage Of the earliest OPP
portunity to retreat into a corner, and as
fate would have it, both selected the same
corner. Phyllis, glancing around and see
ing an awkward looking young man whom
she had dim recollection of having been
introduced to before, fuTtively took up a
book and pretending to turn over Its leaves,
sur-eptitously read little. Belle Wither-
ingtOn, being whirled that way in the dance,
caught her, and pausing a moment, ex-
claimed with disgust all over her pretty
face, '.Ughl Waldenl Thoreau was. of
course, genius, but he had no COM
mon sense"
By which, you see, Miss Witherington
considered herself intellectual as well as
beautiful, and thought herself qualified to
Indeed" cried Phyllis, in heat. II
think he had more common sense than any
one else / ever heard Of"
Miss Witnerington laughed as she danced
of, but the chord was struck, and Corydon,
who had previously been gazing at the
blank wall, exclaimed so heartily, Il agree
with you" that he was considerably more
frightened than Phyllis herself at the ex-
plosioR-
IL was inevitable that these two people
should then and there discuss Walden. 1t
was the first time in their lives that either
of them had been interested at a party.
"Thoreau," said Corydon, "built a house
with his own hands, and cultivated little
piece of ground. His house and years
living cost him only about $50. He lived
neatly, comfortably, independently; he es-
capped all hepetty annoysnces Of man
who, for the sake of earning more money,
had TO defer constantly to the opinions of
other people; and he devoted his leisure
TO nature and books. "Thst is the only SEN
sible way to live" So thought. Phyllis. And
each having now for the first time met with
sympathy on this subject, the conversation
suddenly came to q pause, and each in
quired. mentally, "Why do you not live in
this sensible way2"
"Such life would be impossible for wo-
man." said Phyllis, with a sigh. "She
couldn't build a house, and she would be
afraid to live IN it afterward if she could
alt would not be possible for married
n an" said Corydon, after q pause; CSC
there must be some fallacy in the plan"
Then these two people discovered that
they agreed on two more points. No mode
of life could be quite suited for universal
adoption which In any way prevented the
fullest growth of the affections.
Moreover they wanted several little lux
uries of life which Thoreau could do with
out
This evening at Mrs. Pettigrew's set them
both thinking, and in q month they were
engaged.
"C0rydon," said his Mortified aunt, "hCw
do you expect to support wifef"
Phyllis" said her mamma, "Corydor
hasn't penny"
To winch they both replied that they
had decided to live an unconvenual life.
They were too rational not TO have count
ed the cost, so Phyllis laid the items before
her mother. Corydon would build The
house himself, which would be so mex
pensive that the taxes would be impercepti
bic. He would also cultivate his garden,
which would help in the table expenses.
Then said Phyllis, "Here are the annua
expenses"
Food for tTo........ ......SlOO
on
OIe-S W
Books and incidentals ........ ........ 20
Total .....S2OO
"Phyllis," said her sister, severely, "twen
ty-hve dollars year would not keep yol
i.