The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1894-04-27
A PHILOSOPHER.

home of his friend whose daughter he was
to marry. He laid down a volume of
-Schopenhauer's essays and unused, 'tPeo-
pie who live in such security and comfort
as | enjoy have little opportunity to put
philosophy into practice"
He rose and entered the drawing room,
where he saw a young man who had just
been shown in.
"Why, Escott," he said, Fastening for
ward to shake hands with the youth. 81
thought you were in London"
1.-THE house called me back" explained
the young man, whose face wore a pensive
expression.
"You don't look exactly well, my boy"
Escott smiled and sat down.
"I've been bothered some,'' the youth
said embarrassedIy. Then imam outburst
Of candor he added: ''You see, before /
went away l thought I was soon to marry.
We didn't nave her fathers consent, but
we thought that would be all right. Well,
her father wanted to marry her off to some
friend of his-she didn't even tell me his
name-and she decided to please her ia
ther."
"Do l know herr"
at would hardly be right to tell you
who she is, although you are an old friend
Of mine. You might misjudge her,"
mot at all " replied Rathburn, congrat-
ulating himself or the occasion to apply
some of his philosophy at last, if only in
another case.
"She may have been quite right. Her
obligations to her father may outweigh
her duty to you. The multitude magnifies
the Importance of love. The love of man
for woman, or vice versa, is not by any
means the highest or most meritorious
thing that can Engage a human BEINGS
thoughts. There are other and loftier
things than love. A man who resigns him
self entirely to love is not worth taking
seriously. I wouldn't give much for a per-
son who couldn't overthrow a disappoint-
ment in love"
II know all that said the younger
man gloomily. He rose and paced the
room, stopped and heaved a sigh. Pres
emily he resumed:
"a man is a fool, I admit, who overes-
Inmates love. Yet it is every mans pre-
rogative to make that kind of a fool OF
himself at some period of his life. AS far
as I know, though, you nave escaped"
Rathburn laughed guiltily. "No, I have
not. I've been caught at last. But my
being a fool doesn't prevent me from know
ing that Pm one. l do think a great deal
of love at the present moment In fact,
I'm going to marry"
Congratulations, old fellow! Who is
she?"
Rathburn pointed to portrait. Escott
looked first as if he doubted the correct
ness of his vision. Then he stared in open
mouthed establishment.
care you surprised?" asked the elder
man.
"Why-yes-I never imagined that you
were the one"
1t vas now Rathburn's turn to be as
tonished. But he speedily controlled him
self. When he spoke a moment later, it
was with euietness and coherency.
my dear boy. neither did 1 imagine it.
So she loves you? half suspected there
was some one. That gives you the privi-
lege Of being the fool in this case, and me
the opportunity of acting the philosopher.
I love her, l acknowledge. But even at
this moment I see clearly that there are
greater things in this life than love, and /
know that I shall outgrow this little expe-
rience. She belongs to you. But I'd rather
you'd tell her I said so. I'll see her IA
ther." And he started toward the door.
my dear friend, "murmured Escott, in
whom gratitude was too great to find adj
equate expression on the instant.
"H'sh!' replied Rathburn, motioning
toward the doorway curtains at the rear
of the drawing room. Escott looked. The
girl stood there. She had evidently heard
Rathburn's speech of remuneration, for she
dropped her fearful, smiling eyes and
stood waiting for Escott to approach her.
A moment later the two young people were
vaguely conscious of the closing of the
outer door.
Rathburn, walking down the street,
forced his breath to a regular and temper
ate pace and compelled every other feel
ing to give way to a pardonable pride in
having proved the practical efficacy of phi
losophy in the small affairs of this little
ife.-New York Press.