Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1902-05-15

we will look for one" he said.
They had instinctively fallen into
step together, though they could not
see each other. The Philosophers
breast swelled with the sense of a
protective mission. He became con
scious of a little gloved hand touch
Ing his own-the impulse by which
his fingers closed over it was, under
the circumstances, a perfectly natu-
raj one. She did not withdraw her
hand; the Philosophers gentle-al-
most courtly-tones had inspired her
with the confidence of a child in a
parent. That she should not regard
it as misplaced, he began at once to
discourse to her in a soothing man.
ner as they proceeded.
There are few things" he re-
marked, more disconccrting thar
the moral influence of a fog upon the
nerves. We are SURROUND d ever now
by numerous people in various stages
of agitation. They afford a strik-
ing exemplification of the helpless
ness of human beings in the face of
any sudden ~dislocation of normal
natural conditions. Consider if hui
mainly were destined to exist always
in such a fog! How would it affect
the trend of human progress?"
A tall figure bumped into the Phil
osopher at this juncture and swung
him around to an angle.
"Thus!' he continued, placidly.
Humanity would be perpetually
working at n tangent. Advance
would be crablike-for a time; but
at length human beings would. by a
natural principle of habituation,
adapt themselves to the new condi-
tons of their eXistence-and, | doubt
not, triumph over them. In such a
case a sudden burst of sunlight. of
clarified air, would affect them with
as singular a CONSERVATION as at
present is produced upon their senses
by this fog. Let us regard it rather
as typical of that state of mental at
mosphere through which the human
mind must forever be cropping to-
ward the light. in search of truth.
We can rely but upon the lamp of
philosophy for our guidance. Philos-
ophy rejects the disturbing infu-
ence-"
"Are you, then. a philosopher, sir?'
she broke in, little timidly.
Il am said the Philosopher,
proudly. "It has always been my aim
to triumph over the accidents of
chance. A fog, for instance, does not
in any way affect the equilibrium
of my mental serenity. Philosophy
in such a climate as this especially
is the state of mind to which it
should be the object of every ra-
tional person to attain. What matter
whether one walks on the pavement
II the road? Philosophy scorns the
distinction. We cannot see the road.
but we know it is there-philosophy
rests satisfied with the fact"
She gave a little cry, and stumbled
forward.
"Oh! What's that? l tripped over
something
The Philosopher drew her back to
an upright position.
at was probably a dog. You
should not permit yourself to be
startled-you should not indulge the
emotions; all the emotions-fear,
JOY, surprise. anger. love-are de-
structive of the philosophical attitude
of mind"
love, too?" she asked, with a
pleasing naivete.
Love especially" he answered.
PHILOSOPHY and love cannot exist to-
gether. Love is in its very essence
antagonistic to the first principles
of philosophy. it rests more often
not upon no rational basis what
A lover cannot by any CON
ceivable concession be a philosopher"
She made ii little erimace, which
the Philosopher could not see.
"Philosophy," he continued, tran
sis superior to love; it is in
of the domestic emotions;
'Thcn you are not MARKEDLY" she
softly.
MARRIED." exclaimed the Philoso-
pher aghast. SHOULD ] be a philoso-
pher if | We're? Marriage is quite de-
structive of philosophy"
There was a lady called Nan
ventured timidly.
The Philosopher was a little taken
aback.
II beg you pardon?" he said.
"Socrates-he was married, YOU
$50 he was" observed the Philoso-
oher, thoughtfully. His wife may
De considered to have furnished the
supreme test of his philosophy" he
in a brighter tone.
"Oh, I'm afraid you're a missy
She stopped, per-
''I've forgotten the word. A
who hates women"
"Misogynist?" suggested the Phil
)sopher.
THANK you. Yes, that's the word.
\re you one of those dreadful peo-
"A philosopher hates nothing. Not
wen women he replied, indulgentIy.
"And you prefer your horrid phil
toto women?' she demand
ID with warmth.
"In philosophy" vas his passion
rejoinder, 1--WE find truth; but
II women" He paused, rejecting
hat the conclusion of the sentence
night bear an Interpretation person
lily ungratifying to bis fair compan-
on. She ruthlessly seized on the
of the unfinished phrase.
"You mean that all women are
she said. droppinp his hand.