St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1892-03-05

It was natural that the proud M,s.
Chaworth should feel piqued because
ne oid not behave according to her de-
sire and yet she could not help admir-.
ing him. Physically he was = fine
specimen. He was thick set. broad
shouldered and athletic. Rudy and
rugged in countenance. possessing bold
and striking features, he was vigorous.
~ masculine. At the same time he h.d
refined and chivalrous air. His
clothes were respectable but plain.
ana the work of . country tailor was
too evident in them. The critical OBJ
servation OF Miss Chaworth satisfied
her that the young man was unused TO
society, and yet although he was ignor-
ant OF the minute of etiquette it was
evident that SO fine was his intelligence
and SO true his taste that he had in
sditively mastered the theory of good
manners. and only needed practice in
polished social circles to become a fin.
ished gentleman
After converting with the doctor on
various subjects for q few minutes
Helen felt . mischievous desire to say
something that might discomfit him.
doctor. she remarked, with sudden
frankness. I'm going to be bold
enough to ask You question that you
may not be willing to answer MY
brother has told me that you despise
people who are fashionable and who
love luxury. and that you have come to
this home principally for the sake of
studying that which you condemn.
Will you acknowledge that what he
has told me is true?'
The doctor was imperturbable. He
did not shrink from the challenge.
Smiling little, he said:
Il must acknowledge that what he
has told you is true, although, lest you
should judge me too harshly. l prefer
to make an explanation. I like to take
broad view Of any topic that is
opened for discussion. and if you care
to listen to me will give my opinions
as intelligently as / can"
by this time Miss Chaworth had te-
come convinced that she was in the
presence OF no common man, and she
eagerly gave the doctor encourage
ment to proceed.
''Seeing that you do not shrink from
hearing something which will proba-
bly, not please one in your station of,
life. will speak frankly" said the
young man. "You know that much is
said concerning our boosted civiliza-
ton. 1t is truly maintained that never.
previous to this century was there a.
time when people were SO we'll housed, 4
fed and clothed as at present in this /
country; never were all classes so well.
provided with opportunities SO favora-
BILE for making and spending money;
never before could all the comforts and
luxuries be SO freely enjoyed. Ameri-
cans. especially those who aue very:
rich, feel proud Of the comfortable per;
iod in which they live. They think
that the pleasant things by which they
are surrounded are productive only of
good. On the contrary. shall startle
you BY saying that all of the well-to-
do classes, especially those who are
most wealthy, are to great extent in
. condition of advanced savagery. The
primitive savage was insufiiciently
clothed. went cold and hungry, was
covered with filth and was exceedingly
rude in his manners His abode was a
wigwam, and when . family enters
tanned guests, all present ate out Of
the same dish. The modern savage is |
a far more wholesome and pleasant be- |
Snep 20 tA nA
often elegantly, his house is a fine one.
his table is spread with tempting
his manners are polished; yes,
it must be admitted that he is far
above the common savage. Neverthe-
less both kinds Of savages are thor
oughly materialistic in their tenden-
cies. One makes it his chief aim to
get enough to eat; the other tries to
get all the money he can in order that
he may have more than is alone need.
ed to provide simple comforts and sim
pie pleasures; one when he comes home
from the hunt with game generously
invites all Of his neighbors to help him
Eat it; the other when he gets more
han his neighbor does expends it on
himself and his family, and meanly re.
ioices in the fact that he can furnish
MS parlor with finer furniture, give
MS wife more expensive clothes and
make a greater display of wealth than
MS neighbor can. The squsw of the
forest decorates herself with feathers
md paint: the petted daughter Of civil
cation is not satisfied until she has ar
aged herself in the most elaborate Of
Worth's gowns" /
''How can you talk SO horribly"
.ried Miss Chaworth. who could no
onger restrain her indignation. pre-
ume you think am an advanced say.
lge."
II was generalizing. replied the i'm
doctor. 81 would not be
o ungallant as to be personal in my re-
marks, and insult SO charming q lady
s yourself"
But you cannot deny that from your
that can be deduced
which criticises myself"
Only in q small degree. The re-
mark which has particularly offended
ou probably applies to . thousand la
les, TO be moderate in my estimate.
v /
he criticism can legitimately apply 10
Ou."
His adroit sophistry restored Helen's
God humor. She laughed merrily.
Il beg of you to let me hear the
vorst," she said.
THE worst is" said the philosophic
MUSICIAN, frankly, that consider the
our Hundred the most advanced band
( savages in this country, and as you
re supposed to be one of that sacred
lumber, I will qualify my statement
' saying that my criticism only ap-
lies to three hundred and uinety-nine
Thank you" said his fair nearer.
..But. seriously. maintain that my
- f~ehsnM~1 Dlo en~iotv al.