New-York tribune., 1902-08-19
@ROcNer GLIB
IT DISCUSSES THE VIRTUES.


The meeting was about to adjourn when Miss
Merivale came hurryins up the steps flushed and
somewhat out Of breath. Mrs Weldon shook her
head with assumed severity.
You don't seem to realize. she said impressive
Iy. that punctuaity IS a virtue!"
rs it?' exclaimed the delinquent. with an elabo-
rate air of surprise. Then I'm glad that an IN
usual number OF errands prevented me from prac-
tising punctualty l hate virtues"
Every one laughed. but Mrs Holmes looked some
what shocked. Mrs. Eas!ey murmUred: SO do L"
If this refractory frame Of mind continues"
said Mrs. Weldon. assuming tone Of pained In
diligence. 'our sister Will forfeit her membership
this honorable club
y shall be able to prove" said the cuprit. sitting
down and tanning herself, that have quarrel
with virtue, but with virtues There Is an obvious
distinction Several OF you look as If you thought
! had a touch Of the sun. Please don't glance so
significantly that pitcher Of ice wateri Is 1t
lemonade? oh. thanks! l viii have some-de-
ughtful, Yes. I hate virtues: they are so obtru-
sive. And they have little connection with good
ness"
Il can't see that at an!" exclaimed Mrs Holmes
Take punctuauty. for example. OF course, we ac-
cused you only joke: we have no special time
of meeting. but if had. should you really con
eider it unmportant to arrive at the appointed
time or to keep a social engag cement or business
appointment the minute?'
Mrs. Weldon came to the rescue
Don't you know this perverse wornan?' she said.
laughing. Il never knew her TO be late. and as to
business appointments billiards and electric storms
don't stop her. II she is keeping promise. an
angel in the way couldn't turn her from it!'
Thank you friend! I certainly DO respect a
promise and believe in law and order Neverthe-
less, I know of few virtues that can be more op-
pressIve than punctuality run mad"
y know what you mean" said Mrs. Easley.
I've seen families in which the announcement OF
meal was like the summons a fire call TO
battlel They fairly fell themselves to get 10
the table, and # anybody TWO or three min
utes late the unfortunate one was greeted with
scoRls Of disapprovaI and felt like a convicted
, criminal And woe any one who slept over the
there wasn't SOU IN the mouse "ho nag a real
reason for early rising II was snPl3 Eao'I tss
i don't sec why We need military rule. Nothing
than such needless lndexibIty.
Don't quarrel children. SAID MIS-. Nelaon-
/ think Miss Meriyale deprecating the sort OF
ultra -pUuctUaity that Mrs Easley described. It's
T the same-as she implied-wi1h many other virtues
against higher goodness. II 5 nke putting , fslIs
ion ahead OF godlness, as once heard clergy
Don't they the same thng?" some one
AS he meant it," was the reply one stands for
the letter other for the spirit That Is also the
distinction between the virtues and real virtue or
You ind lesser virtues set up as gods d;}a6e to be
il order but have seen II turIfe INTO & iGSGt eTi
such anxious watch over her guest room that If its
occupant misplaced some tTIfing - object oe5Gfe % i
exact place her return never could remain
there more than two or three days at time.
remember her comical reInOrse one day over
dusty pa per knife. Another membe OF That Vlrtu-
/ Gus family rebuked her gently but with sorrow
she almost wept.
4 think even the higher virtues are sometimes
rnieta keuIy worshipped in the same way. said
Mrs Quitting Temperance and charity are espe-
cialy liable TO misuse
You have touched a point had In mind when /
first spoke" said Miss Merivale; "A person often
buiids a temple virtue, and sets II up
as an idol 10 the exclusion of the Others. How
/ often we see justice sacrificed to exaggerated
nofions OF charity And how often the dread OF
some fanced sin prevents the wholesome fear OF a
Wen said Mrs. Quitting. rising that is all
tr1e nd interesting, but In going now,
for fear we might drift on TO the Sunday ques-
tionl'