St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1899-10-14
Practical Philosophy

I'll Edith introduced MS 1T 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 difference" said she,
s.between practice and theory
1 conceded the point. She was so
charming, in fact that l wished it had
/. been asiarEer point tcconcede. But. 7
i yenttred to remark, that doesn't
make the theory wrong.
She ieaneri 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.
"Nhen you say that the regeneration
of the universe can only be accom-
plished by white men marrying black
women
And black men, wfxte women"
NO, thank you!" She shrugged her
shoulders. "Well, as matter of fact,
you do, not care anything about the
regeneration Of the universe?"
II don't believe 1 do 1 laughed.
.Nor contemplate marrying a negress
yourself:'
"Unfortunately my personal taste
lies SO strongly in the direction OF the
blonde. Edith had remembered this.
with her usual discretion.
IF l were black you would say you
preferred ebony to ivory"
raised my hands in protest. Il as
sure you," averred, solemnly, Il pre-
fer You as you are.
..But you haven't seen me any-other
how.
4 am clear that improvement is i'm
possible.''s
She laughed : delightfully."- saucy
laugh.
.tWhat a stock in trade OF compli-
mtnts YOU keep! / can understand
why your cousin described you as .
tonic for diffident young person--like
me-
.sThere is not" declared, another
like you SO far as my experience goes.
..You are putting me in glow OF
satisfaction with myself. Please go on.
There ought to be one or two nice
points remaining in me.
I regarded her with calm scrutiny.
.An appearance Of impudence becomes
you,r said, but"
sBut ~
$50 do all appearances"
spray don't think that you have ex-
hanstcd my appearances" She sank
back in another attitude. why,
you've barely known me an hour"
An hour. l said. feelingly, of ex-
quisite quality
An hour she suggested. (which
should rightfully have been devoted to
y black woman" She looked as it she
would like to add something, but re.
trained. F
.You were going to say"
..Poor black woman!' Her eyes
sparkled wickedly. Il don't mean it.
she FASTENED to add.
..Accoraing to my theory. l ex
planned, syou should have been delight
ing the eyes and ears of some dusky
gentleman, and-er- .sS
poor black mani" Inever saw such
girl to laugh.
..On the contrary. II you were t.
adopt INV theory should paint myself
black.
..But you wouldn't be so black as yot
were painted"
..Stop, stop.a I'll assume that YOU'VE
pa,d me all possible compliments Le
1s pet down to the bedrock OF serious
conversation.
..Umph. One 20 rarely gets ther'
that l doubt if have any serious con
yersation. You are not missionar,
In disguise, are you9'
= She didn't answer for y minute. |
was cuxious to watch her face chang
from merriment. through thought. I,
seriousness. First, the laughter diet
gradually in her eyes; then the littl'
curls and turns went out OF her lips
then the dimples in the cheeks smooth
cd themselves out like ripples widenin,
;nto nothingness on the sea; then sh,
lifted up her head. little on one side
/ And lookkdsat me with solenn child
8vex. -
.sSometimes.'' she=said, sadly. Il wisl
yve-< sSon1etimes I wish missionar
wcu!d come to me. | get tired o
uakinr fun of things. and think tha
Il nerhaps they are serious after ALL
I.twirled nv mustache and felt m
own smile fading out. '.They are se
u e,seux enough 7 said ''if you look q
then, in that. way. 1t isn't good wa
3 look at things-things in general
/ think
..Hut one looks sometimes, she sai
.hsently. ssat things in particular. an
j 1rfssrtry, very serious" "
.rben.. said, leaning forward. on
aoesn't talk atout tAen nseA- 80