St. Paul daily globe., 1889-02-10
AT THE LIBRARY.
A Study of Human Nature in
Dusty AlcOveS.

A person who has nothing to do, and
finds it hard work, recently climbed a
flight of stairs from back alley and
found himself within the hallowed and
historic precincts of what is known as
the At thenaum library. If dust, cob
webs and draughts are indications of
antiquity, then one might suppose that
this library had been established a
short time after Noah emerged from
the ark and began to lay the founda-
ton for our modern civilization. But
the building isn't really so very old. 1t
only looks that way, and the
librarian consoles the chronic grum-
bier by assuring him that fine
new library building is being erected
on Tenth street; and, even it he doesn't
live to see it finished, doubtless posterity
will enjoy it's benefits.
In spite of its disadvantages. the
library reading room isn't the most un-
The dingy tables are spread with mag
best periodicals of England, as we'll as
OF this country. Visitors may sit and
read all day if they choose. At the same
table may often be seen the mechanic
in his working clothes. with his dinner
pail and tool box at his side; the min
lister looking up material for his Sunday
sermon; the professor deep in some
scientific research, and occasionally the
professional book-worm. who reads just
for the pleasure of reading, and never
is known to make any use of his i'll
formation.
At the tables reserved for ladies,
school girls sit with Woe-begOne faces
examining for essays Or historical reci-
tations, when they had much rather be
skating in Central park. Sometimes
society girl comes in to spend few
minutes. skimming over Scribner'sI Or
Harper's. while waiting for mamma to
finish some tireSome business. She
makes such dainty picture in her soft
silk gown, heavy furS and wide-brimmed
hat, that the masculine visitors are apt
to forget their reading and steal admir-
ing glances at her as she denurely bends
her head over the magazine. She knows
that everybody is admiring her, butts
SO accustomed to receiving that sort of
homage that she takes it as her due.
The paryenu society woman looks
over the leading magazines as a dis
agreeable duty. She wishes society
wouldn't persist in discussing literature.
She doesn't know anything aboutit, yet
here she has to spend several hours in
the week trying to get some notion of
the articles which are sure to be dis
cuSsed at the afternoon tea. The most
amusing visitor is the literary voting
lady. Her eyes have that wistful,
pathetic eagerness, as though she al
ways sought something and it ever es-
capped her. She has a notion that the
librarian ought to be walking COM
pendulum of all the historical and philos-
optical works that were ever printed.
Only yesterday the literary girl said to
the librarian:
IL have to write an essay for our
psychological society comparing the
different systems of moral philosophy,
of which the world has any history.
Won't you please get me some books on
that subject and mark the passag es
which might help me. I havn't time to
read all those books. but want to write
an essay which will be profound. you
know-not one Of those light, frivolous
articles which are so common"
Then she sat and read society maya
zine. while the sweet-tempered and
obliging librarian endeavored to find
something to suit her requirem ents.