St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1902-06-28
"On no account!" said the Philoso-
pher firmly.
IF l could only find hansom!"

We will look for one," he said.
They had instinctive]y fallen int,
step together, though they could no
soc each other. The Philosopher,
breast swelled with the sense of ;
protective mission. He became con
scious of little gloved hand touch
Ing his own-the impulse by which
his fingers closed over it was, unde1
the circumstances, perfectly natu
| raj one. She did not withdraw he1
hand; the Philosophers gentle-al
most courtly-tones had inspired he1
with the confidence of a child in ;
parent. That she should not regard
it as misplaced, he began at once t.
discourse to her in a soothing man
ner as they proceeded.
There are few things" he re
marked, more disconcerting thar
the moral influence of fog upon the
nerves. We are surrounded even now
by numerous people in various stages
Of agitation. They afford strik.
ing exemplifcation of the helpless
ness of human beings in the face OF
any sudden dislocation of nornoa]
natural conditions. Consider if hui
manity were destined to exist always
in such 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 a 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, philosopher, sir?"
she broke in, little timidly.
Il am," said the Philosopher,
proudly. 1T 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 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
one walks on the pavement
or the road? Philosophy scorns the
We cannot see the road,
but we know it is there-philosophy
rests satisfied with the fact"
She gave little cry, and stumbled
forward.
"Oh! What's that7 1 tripped over
The Philosopher drew her back to
Ia upright position.
1T was probably a dog. You
should not permit yourself to be
should not indulge the
all the emotions-fear,
Joy, surprise, anger, love-are de-
'tructive of the philosophical attitude
II mind"
"Love, too?" she asked, with a
pleasing naivete.
Love especially" he answered.
Philosophy and love cannot exist to-
,ether. Love is in it's very essence
to the first principles
# philosophy. It rests more often
han not upon no rational basis what
yer. A lover cannot by any con-
eivable concession be philosopher"
She made little grimace, which
he Philosopher could not see.
philosophy" he continued, tran
uilly, ''is superior to love; it is in
ependent of the domestic emotions;
r."
sThen you are not married?' she
Interrupted, softly.
"Married!" exclaimed the Philoso-
her aghast. SHOULD I be philoso-
her if 1 were? Marriage is quite de-
tructive of philosophy"
"There was a lady called Kan
ppe'-she ventured timidly.
The Philosopher was little taken
hack.
II beg you pardon?" he said.
"Socrates-he was married, you
now"
$50 he was," observed the Philoso-
her, thoughtful]y. Ills wife may
: considered to have furnished the
1preme test of his philosophy" he
1ded, in brighter tone.
"Oh, I'm afraid you're missy
issy-missy-" She stopped, per- '
exed. 1--WE forgotten the word. A {
:rson who hates women" "
"Misogynist?" suggested the Phil c
'opher.
"Thank you. Yes, that's the word. /
re you one of those dreadful peo- c
e?" S
"A philosopher hates nothing. Not
EN- women" he replied, indulgently. 9
"And you prefer your horrid phil +
'ophy TOTO women?" she demand Q
with warmth.
'In philosophy" was his passion
IS rejoinder, 1--WE find truth; but n
women" He paused, rejecting o
at the conclusion of the sentence
ight bear an Interpretation person s
ly ungratifying to his fair compan- Ii
n. She ruthlessly seized on the a
lplication of the unfinished phrase.
''You mean that all women are "
lse!" she said, dropping his hand. L