The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1899-09-08
Practical Philosophy

L 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 difference said she,
between practice and theory
1 conceded the point. She was so
charming, in fact, that [ wished it had
been larger point to concede. But"
/ ventured to remark, that doesn't
make the theory wrong"
She leaned her cheek thoughtfully
upon one gloved finger, possibly to dis
play the smaIlness 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-
plished by white men marrying black
women
And black men, white women"
mo, thank you!" She shrugged her
shoulders. 'Well, as a matter of fact,
you do not care anything about the
regeneration Of the universe?''
Il don't believe l do" [ 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.
eff 1 were black you would say you
preferred ebony to ivory"
1 raised my hands in protest. 81 as
I
fer you as you are"
But you haven't seen me any-other
how"
Il am clear that improvement is i'm
possible"
She laughed a delightfully."- saucy
laugh.
What a stock in trade of compli
ments you keep! [ can understand
why your cousin described you as
tonic for diffident young person-like
me-"
There is not 1 declared, another
like you so far as my experience goes"
You are putting me in a glow Of
satisfaction with myself. Please go on.
There ought to be one or two nice
points remaining in me-"
l regarded her with calm scrutiny.
San appearance of impudence becomes
you,'' [ said, but"
''But?''
$50 do all appearances"
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"
can hour" 1 said, feelingly, 'of ex-
-quisite quality"
can hour she suggested, (which
should rightfully have been devoted to
a black woman" She looked as if she
would like to add something, but re-
Trained.
''You were going to say"
Poor black woman!" Her eyes
spanked wickedly. Il don't mean it,
she hastened to add.
according to my theory" L ex-
planned, "you should have been delight
ing the eyes and ears of some dusky
gentleman, and-er-"
Poor black man." L never saw such
a girl to laugh.
"On the contrary. If you were to
adopt my theory should paint myself
black"
But you wouldn't be so black as you
were painted" s.
stop, stop! I'll assume that you've
paid me all possible compliments. Let
us get down to the bedrock Of serious
conversation"
"Umph! One so rarely gets there
that l doubt if have any serious con-
versation. You are not missionary
in disguise, are you?"
She didn't answer for minute. 1t
was curious to watch her face change
from merriment, through thought, to
seriousness. First, the laughter died
gradually in her eyes; then the little
.curls and turns went out of her lips;
then the dimples in the cheeks smooth
cd themselves out like ripples widening
into nothingness on the sea; then she
lifted ND her head, little on one side,
and looked a: me with solemn child
ewes.