The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1891-08-21

either form Of intemperance, for he con-
siders total abstinence as almost, if not
quite, on a level with over indulgence.
Ones instinct of course shrinks at first
from the idea of deliberate clouding of
the senses being ever pardonable, but the
more one examines the matter the more
innocent does it appear, and | freely adj
NIT that | have come to regard an of
Tense against morals committed IN the
interest of science as not only excusable,
but in SONNY cases positive duty"
But, said Aunt Agnes, taking up
the thread of her previous remark for
my further etiifcation however Mr..
Spence may have conducted himself IN
the past for the sake of discipline, his
habits today are essentially sober and
serious"
"Oh, dear, yesI' exclaimed Miss Kings
ley; she is intensely in earnest, and DIS
countenances all mere vanities of life.
And yet withal, it is his aim to pursue
the happy mean. He believes in rational
amusements. and is very sympathetic in
congenial society If you have no pleas
anter engagement for next Wednesday
evening, Miss Virginia, Ishall echarmed
to have you take tea with me at my
rooms in the Studio building expect
Mr.. Spence and one or two other friends
to be present
ssWitn great pleasure" | answered;
and | felt quite elated by the invitation
Nv ambition TO form new associations
was about to be realized apparently.
Il have hopes that Mr. Spence will
consent to illustrate bis theory of the
economy of speech On that evening"
continued Miss Kingsley As yet the
science is IN embryo, and naturally but
a very small number of people are suffi-
GENTLY familiar with the practical de-
tails OF the theory TO make it advisable
to adopt it in general conversation. But.
with sympathetic friends he may feel
disposed to make the experiment"
You are extremely fortunate, Vir-
ginia, said Aunt Agnes, with emphasis.
II should try in vain to be worthy of
such an opportunity; but am very much
obliged to you. Miss Kingsley" l an
swered humbly
"You will soon learn" she said, rising
to 60 Il am so glad to have had the
pleasure of meeting you at last. have
alluded to you in my column on one or
two occasions, but this is the first time
have had the qualification of seeing you
in person Perhaps you can tell me-
she continued, still holding my hand,
whether there is any truth in the re-
ported engagement of our Miss Leonard
to Mr.. Clarence Butterield And if you
happen to know who are to be the brides
maids at the wedding of Miss Newton,
of Philadelphia, to our Mr. Lester,
shall consider it very friendly of you to
tell me-
This made me feel very uncomfortable,
for | could not decide on the spur Of the
moment whether it would be more
charitable to my friends to tell the truth,
or to remain silent and let their affairs
be garbled
IL want to put in something" she
urged, noticing my hesitation. Il shall
either contradict or confirm the report
of the engagement In our next issue. Of
course, artistically it makes little differ
ence to me which; but it is much more
satisfactory to the immediate friends to
have an item correct-just as the friends
of a person who sits for portrait prefer
to have likeness speaking, whereas to
the painter it is much more important
whether the tout ensemble IS q work of
art. To obtain a portrait one can al
ways have recourse to the photographer;
and so to insure mere accuracy IN social
jotting, it is easy to pay for it as an adj
EQ47f ,c%, Il
different footing Am clear? And
trust that you agree with me. It will
do just as well on Wednesday,; and if
you should hear any other items of in
terest in my line, please note them. You
have no idea of the competition | have
to encounter. Some artists go so far as
to invent their material, but it is not
considered strictly professional Well,
Unjust run along. Don't forget, Wednes-
day at eight" and Miss Kingsley whisked
out of the room, leaving me in a dazed
condition.
The collection of social gossip was APP
parently her regular business, which she
not only was ready to acknowledge, but
gloried in-just as merchant might
take pride In his bargains, or a lawyer
in his arguments. There was certain
SAVIOR of self reliance and proprietorship
in her use of the word ''our," by which
it was evident to me, though was sadly
puzzled at first, that she distinguished
Bostonians from those who lived else
where. But, Mortified as I was by the
general idea of such a calling, could
not help feeling amused, and even rather
admired Miss Kingsley's independence
and enterprising spirit. She was shade
vulgar, to be sure, but in my present
frame of mind I was disposed to rank in
tellectual superiority above mere refine
ment Of manner. believed that Miss
Kingsley, although but few years older
than myself, could put me to the blush
in the matter of literary attachments
and general information.
Aunt Agnes was plainly of that opin-
ion, for she aroused me from my refec-
tons by the remark:
ga rare opportunity is afforded you,
Virginia, for mental discipline. I can
see that Miss Kingsley has taken fancy
to you. She is not person who goes off
at tangent. She must have discerned
capabilities for culture in you or she
would never have invited you to one of
her entertainments To you, who are