The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1894-02-16
seat at the fountain. approached. fol.

ny hlS w
according To- the sun, it should be
midday, my Xantippe. | am hungry.
IL the midday meal ~ prepared, we will
partake Of it. Euclid, too, will bear us
company
Daphne smiled maliciouslv at the
thought that the philosopher and his
pupil were likely this day at least to go
hungry.
Xantlppe, however, hlushed with
shame. She arose from her seat treml-
bling. and standing with downcast head
before her husband in faltering tones
explained why the midday meal was
not prepared.
She had asked him hours ago for
money to buy food, but he had given
her none.
I Euclid laughed jeeringly at her
words. but Socrates replied mildly
"JustiCe is one of the Chieftest virtues
belonging to man. As | gave thee no
money at thy request. the fault is mine.
The next time, however, my Xantippe,
when do not heed thy words, raise thy
voice and continue speaking until hot
succeedest in attracting my attention.
Let the evening meal, therefore. be pre-
pared earlier than usual. And now
fetch us a vessel of wine, that we may
continue Il discourse with minds and
bodies refreshed.
Xantippe's beautiful face cleared up
at Socrates quiet words. Thou seest.
she whispered when she and Daphne
were alone together again, how kind
and just he is
And she kept her husbands advice.
to raise her voice while speaking to him,
fixed firmly in her memory.
The next day. therefore, when Soc
rates turned a deaf ear to her request
for m~oney-he being ut that time in
earnest conversation with Daphne's hus-
band, AntisthrnCS-She raised her voice.
as she had been hidden by him, and as
he still continued oblivious to her re-
quest she screamed. in a voice SO shrill
and loud that she herself was startled
at the sound of it, "Socratcs, give me
some money!
The philosopher, disturbed and anx-
lous to continue his Discourse with his
friend, promptly complied with her de
mand.
In a very few days. however. Soc
rates ears became accustomed to MS
wife's tones. shrill as they had grown.
And Aantlpro. on her part, found 1t
lmpOSsible-accuStnlned as she was hy
this time to the high key necessary t.
make herself audible to her husband
70 lower her vCiC" when Sltakinr t.
others.
Daphne therefor" remark, i complains
mEly t" Hantlppe's friends and her
own: "Nantippe's voice grows harsher
and Shrillcr every day. Not content
with screaming at her philosopher. Sh"
heglns new to scream AT us.
Aantlppe soon found it necessary t.
ask Socrates for money to buy new gar
lnenti. When she succeeded at last III
making her husband understand what
It was she required. he shook his head
d0nbtfully and answered:
In my eyes. my Nantippe. thou art
beautiful and lovely in thy present gar
nents- old and shabby though they be.
Beware Of vanity, which is also a de-
mon.
Aantipp", however,, was not satisfied
with this Judgment of her husband, phi
losOpher though he was. concerning the
! garment she Vas wearing. Daphne, too.
assured her that tn" robe was not fit to
be worn.
, When. therefore, Xantippe for a sec
Ond time, with tears and shrill upbraid-
ingS, insisted on Socrates complying
with her desire. the philosopher, to be
lid Of her. gave her three times as much
money a5 she had asked for. And Kan
tippe. o~verjoyed. was able to buy for
herself, besides the coveted garments, a
fllet of gold for her hair, and an arm
let in the shape of a serpent, Of an Egyp-
ti"n who sold lewelry in the bazaar.
From that day Xantippe' voice grew
louder and louder. until her husband
grew TO shudder at the very sound Of it.
And not only Daphne, but soon all
Athens-all Greece-all the world
proclaimed Xantippe a scold and Il
shrew who. by her complaints and up
b%raidings. made the life Of her philo~0~
pher husband a burden to him.
Poor Aantippe!-Translated From III"
German For Short Stories.