Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-09-16
Practical Philosophy


II DIDN'T catch her name when Cousin |
J / Edith introduced us at the garden |
party. but she was unquestionably in
teresting. We ran through art and mu- |
sic and drama in half an hour. Then
we came to philosophy.
There is such a difference" said she, |
between practice and theory"
conceded the point. She was so
charming, in fact. that wished It had
been larger point to concede. But"
L sventured TO remark, that doesn't
make the theory wrong"
She leaned her cheek thoughtfully
upon one gloved finger. possibly to dis
play the smallness Of her hand, possibly
because the pose suited her, probably
for both reasons.
when you say that the regeneration
of the universe can only be accom-
lphshed by white men marrying black
women"
'And black men, white women"
''No, thank youl'' She shrugged hen
shoulders well, as a matter of fact,
you do not care anything about the
regeneration Of the universe7"
81 don't believe do" laughed.
"Nor contemplate marrying negress
yourselfP"
Unfortunately my personal taste
lies SO strongly in the direction OF the
blonde" Edith had remembered this.
with her usual discretion.
'f we're black you would say you
preferred ebony to ivory"
raised my hands in protest Ell as
snre you" 1 averred, solemnly, II pre-
fer you as you are" ~
how" -
II am clear that improvement is Inn
possible"
shs laughed a delightfully."- saucy
laugh.
''what g stock in trade Of compH-
ments you keepi can understand
why your cousin described you az q
tonic for dirident young PersOn--itke
me-" 5
There is not" declared, another
like you so far as my experience goea."
'Y0u are putting me in . glow Of
satisfaction with myself. Please go on.
There ought to be one or two nice
points remaining in me-" .s44- '~'a'
I regarded her with calm scrutiny.
"An appearance OF impudenee becomes
you" / said, but.
"But2,, i'-' '&N's''.
$50 do all appearances" sRSaesf
''Pray don't think that you have ex-
hausted my appearances" She sank
back in another attitude. why,
you've barely known me an hour!"
IAN hour" ] said, feelingly. "of ex-
quisite quality"
AN hour" she suggested. (which
should rightfully have been devoted 10
q black woman" She locked as if sha
would like to add something, but re-
Trained.
You were going to say"
"PoOr black woman!" Her eyes
sparlxled wickedly. IL don't mean it, -
she fastened to add.
according TO my theory" I ex-
planned, "you should have been delight
ing the eyes and ears of some duslIy
gentleman, and-er@
''Roor black mani" 1 never saw such
a girl TO laugh.
ION the contrary. II you were Il
adopt my theory should paint myseli
black"
"But you wouldn't be SO black as you
were painted"
''Stop, stop5 I'll assume that you've
paid me all possible compliments. Lee
us get down 10 the bedrock of ses&oai
conversation"
''Emph! One so rarely gets Their,
that doubt il I have any serious con
versation. You are not missionary
in disguise, are your
She didn't answer for minute.
was curious to watch her face chang
from merriment, through thought. 4
seriousness. First, the laughter diet
gradually in her eyes; then the httl
curls and turns went out of her lips
then the dimples in the cheeks smooth
ed themselves out like ripples widening
into nothingness on the sea; then sh
lifted up her head. q little on one side
and looked at me with solemn child
eyes.
''Sometimess~ she said, sadly. II wis
81 were. Sometimes wish missioner
would come TO me. get tired (
making fun OF things, and think tn
perhaps they are serious after all"
twirIed my uustache and felt u
own smile fading out. "They are 9
rious enough" said, 'if you look
then in that way. 1t isn't good Wi
to look at things-4hings in general
I think"
"But one looks sometimes" she ss
IAbsently,- "a& things 70 particular. e.
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