The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-09-06
Borrowing other Peoples Opinions.

Borrowing Other Peoples Opinions.
1t is not only in literature that there are
plagiarists Who appropriate and thrive on
other peoples IDEAS Brilliant CONVEX.
sationaiistS often f1aunt or borrowed plum
age, which they have cleverly plucked
from persons who have studied the ques-
tons discussed far more deeply than those
who express themselves SO glibly.
1T is hard said an Intellectual girl,
ito have Maud, who never does more than
skim over a book, calmly kidnap all my
ideas about any new publication and pro
auce them in company as her own. She
dresses them up in lighter vein, which
makes them all the more acceptable to
society, and talks as if she had read and
thought about the whole thing. OF course,
! cannot claim the ideas, and, indeed, they
are 50 twisted and altered that [ would
not want TO own them, but all the same,
they We're mine originally. and she gets
a cheap reputation Of being a clever,
well read woman which she does hot
deserve in the very least
.'Oh, / am not proud" said Maud, ulilo-
sophically, not denying the impeachment
brought against her. You read, and 1
talk: that is the difference between U.s.
Twould be "a pity To let SO much good
material go to waste for the sake of a
little squeamishness. Besides, il IS al in
the family. What I do mind, however, is
to take peoples ideas and then lie found
out-that, / admit, is rather disagreeable.
] don't think it happens to me often. but
it does sometimes, and the other day
had a bad quarter of an horc at Mrs.
B dinner. heard our Gear, clever
Ethel here tell of a mans witty. account
of a play which ended up with q little Joke
neatly expressed. SO thought would get
the whole thing off on the person who
had Taken ma i,tc La listened
with great attention, smiled politely at
my little fireworks at the end, and never
for one instant betrayed the fact that he,
was the author OF the remarks.
Like a flash the consciousness of who
he was came over me a few moments az
terward How could have been SO stupid:
/ knew he was man who hated ShaHls.
and that it behooyed me Immediately to
retrieve myself in his good option. So
I began: Ny conscience IS troubling me-
I said, presently. Indeed?' he queried.
looking amused. That little description
of Mr. --s play was not original.
proceeded. I wish Ct went on. suddenly
seeing an opportunity of still making cap
ital out OF the blrnder) that I could only
say anything half SO witty tAdys reishbor
smiled cnmplacently.l 1t was told me by
some one last week, and could not find
out who said it Whoever it was he must
be very clever. should like to meet h;nl.
You need not go far said my fattered
partner. positively beaming. do not
agree with you about its cleveraess. but
i happened to say it. Now, isn't that
extraordinary r exclaimed. How odd
that should have said that to you Of all
people! What unexpected condolences
happen sometimes.'
Another awkward happening is to repeat
some story or remark of ones own ever
more than once to the same Individual.
using the same well turned phrases and
small witticisns, and then in The midst
of it to become suddenly conscious of that
you are doing. Such reitera5inn is en-
barraslng enough for young peors,e, hut
to those VINO are middle aged there is the
added annoyance Of feeling that the act
of forgetfu!ness may be ascribed to the
lapse of nnemory of advancing years-a
subject upon which people Of Il certain
age are most sensitive.-New York Tri-
llre