The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1891-08-28

SCIOSu lllSJcsSQ vi OIOWA, ob1u d uOWlils3
yellow tie instead of a cherry one. She
regarded him, | could see, with MKT
ure Of horror and wonder, which led me
at once to perform the duties Of gen.
eral introduction, preliminary to taking
possession of Mr.. Barr, and RELOCATING
to Aunt Helen the less unconventional
philosopher. Paul Barr, however, bowed
to her in so superb and deferential a
manner that thought she looked rather
fattered than otherwise. which relieved
my worst apprehensions, and | found
myself straightway chatting with him
in somewhat spirited vein.
Heard in my own drawing room MIR,
Barr's compliments and ardent speeches
moved he to badinage, and saw no
harm in accepting them Us the ordinary
give and take of the would-be lady
killer, more original and therefore more
entertaining than those of a fashionable
firt, but still of the same general char
acter. affected to be alternately irate
and pleased at what he said. Meanwhile
his eyes looked unutterable things, and
he interpreted his batteries with tissue
of abnormal but poetic fancies He was
undeniably fascinating, and all the more
so because felt in his society somewhat
as if l were walking through a gun
powder vault with lighted candle.
But there was this difference, that in his
case the character of the possible eXplo-
sion was wrapped in mysterious uncer-
tainty, which added an agreeable ele-
ment of curiosity to my sensations.
Presently he drew from his breast
pocket q small volume in white vellum
and gold, which he presented to me. 1t
was copy of his poems, THE Paradise
of Passion, and Other Rhythms."
glanced at the fly leaf, and to my aston
is,>ment and confusion perceived that
underneath the inscription, miss Har-
Ian, with the respectful homage of him
who did these verses, was a sonnet ''To
Virginia" which began:
The happy rose which lately from thy hands
took with kisses, dry and withered lies.
did not attempt to read further at
the moment Indeed, felt inclined to
draw myself up austerely at first, but on
second thought acknowledged his pre-
sumption with the same laughing CO.
quetry had hitherto displayed. After
all, it was not worth while to become
angry His extravaganza was not to be
taken too seriously. It was rather re-
freshing for q change. wondered how
he would behave if he ever really were
in love.
Meanwhile had endeavored - listen
at the same time to the conversation be-
tween Aunt Helen and Mr.. Spence
was relieved to find that he saw fit to
avoid any allusion to his theories, and
pursued the highway of Indifferent sub
5ects, such as the weather, the stage and
foreign travel. Still, could tell from
Aunt Helen's superior and, as it seemed
to me, disdainful tone, that she by no
means approved of my new acquaint-
ances. though l detected her casting an
occasional glance of puzzled curiosity at
Mr.. Barr, whose eccentricities were,
suppose, more amusing than the calm Of
her companion.
81 don't suppose you find the differ
ences very marked between this country
and Europe, Mr.. Spencer" heard her in
quire after learning that he passed much
of his life abroad.
Con the contrary, very slight"
Mice people are very much the same
everywhere" she observed haughtily.
s'To tell the truth" said Mr.. Spence,
81 have been rather disappointed at
finding the people, as well as the man
of fhio hwy,
similar to those across the water. l had
been led to expect originality and indie
pendence. That was what was taught
to believe as child. But after an alb
sence from my country Of six years
came back to find nearly the same man
ners and customs, and the same virtues
and vices, as left behind me in Europe.
"Vices? echoed Aunt Helen. "Ishould
say there was much less vice in this
country than in Europe"
"Not if we judge by the newspapers.
"Ah, but one can't believe all one
reads in the newspapers" she said. with
an air of triumph.
Mr.. Spence had, unluckily for the i'm
preston he was likely to create, the
courage of his convictions as l wei
knew, and as he began to reply felt les
secure that he would not trench upor
dangerous ground.
"There is a general tendency to ap,
foreign ideas, which is fast destroying
our originality as nation" he con
| tinued.
sForeign ideas are often the best,
said my aunt.
1--WE are beginning to talk and dres
and dine and give in marriage, just ik
the rest of the world" he explained
without regarding her comment.
Aunt Helen looked a little blank
Then with her most stately air she said
''Surely you wouldn't have marriage
performed before a justice of the peace
1t destroys al their sentiment. know
great mang persons who wouldn'
consider themselves married so. AS t
living differently, don't know what yo7
mean. There are people here who advo
cate cremation, cooperation, and tina
sort of thing, but one doesn't meet ther
in society"
81 am no judge" said Mr.. Spenc
coolly, "for never go into society,""
"Indeedr' Aunt Helen surveyed hin
through her eyeglass as if he were
curious animal, and her haughtiness per
IL