The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-06-21

6t\ /ES," he read aloud from ms
magnum OPUS as he lay back
y i In his chair holding the oper
volume up In his right hand. there
is no denying the fact. Happiness Is
purely subjective. 1t is a thing OF
mars inward SELF not Of his outward
surroundings. How often is the beg
gar, though denuded of those accidents
upon which men popularity. but crron-
eously, suppose happiness to depend
money. friends. rank. power. what not
--how often. I say. is this beggar the
happiest of men, while the prince in his
palace, or the millionaire In his man.
sion, is the most miserable! Some. OBJ
serving this phenomenon, but failing to
grasp it's true meaning, jump to the
hasty conclusion that riches are. posi-
lively, a source Of unhappiness. They
are equally, however. as mistaken In
their way as those who conceive riches
to be a source of happiness. The truth
Is that neither riches nor poverty, nor
any external circumstances whatsoever,
have the slightest connection with a
mans happiness. He whose mind Is
we'll balanced will be invariably happy,
while he whose mind is i'll balanced will
be invariably miserable, be his purse
full or be it empty.
q The philosopher laid down his book.
"fIow we'll I have put that! How
true 1t is," he soliloauized, musingly.
"Look at my own case. Men call me
lucky, because, by the death of my
cousin Tom in the wilds of Africa, I
succeeded unexpectedly to my present
fortune. Lucky, forsooth! I laugh at
their stupid estimate. I am neither
more nor less happy than I was when
came into the money fifteen years ago.
I have always been happy. simply be-
cause mine is a happy nature in other
words, well-balanced mind. Were 1
to wake up tomorrow and find myself
suddenly bereft Of my wealth. it would
make no difference. Nay. why should
it?" "The philosopher helped himself
to choice cigar from the open box at
his elbow. and. lighting it, slowly in
haled it's fragrant vapor
II smoke these Partagas now" he
went on in the same reflective vein.
"why? Because the gods give them to
me. I sit in this morocco armchair.
Why? Because the gods give 1t to me.
take, in fact, what Heaven sends be-
cause 1t were ungracious, perhaps even
in1pious, to refuse it. But it affects not
my happiness one way or the other.
Who's that?" he added, quickly, as the
sound of the opening door fell upon his
ears "Oh, you. Selma. Now what is
it that you want with me- my dear?"
II wish to have a word or two with
you please, uncle" replied the new
conner, pretty graceful girl. apparent
~ about five-and-twenty years of age.
"Can you spare me FIVE minutes?'
IF it is only five-yes." said the phil
rsopher, looking, however, something
less pleased by the interruption than "A
philosopher of so well-balanced mind
should properly have done.
"You know the subject?" demanded
Selma, with an expression haif-defiant,
half-coaxing on her pretty face.
do you mean your engagement to
young Paterson?' queried Draycot
Dabher.
Selma nodded.
well, in that event. my dear" re-
marked her uncle, Il do not see what
there is for us in this matter to dis
cuss. You have asked my consent.
have given it-with my blessing. And
there's an end Of it.
AS he spoke. he waved, as it were,
the subject aside with dismissory
gesture of his elegant white hand
But, uncle" cried Selma. there Is
not an end of it, as you know. Charlie
Paterson has only E150 year.
so you have Informed me before.
Well, what of it?" smiled our philoso-
pher. placidly.
Charlie and cannot live on G150
Year." exclaimed his niece with scarce
ly repressed Indignation.
MOP" calculated Draycot Dabber,
cit in, tho
fled way. Upon my word, you do sur
prise me. Selma. One hundred and
fifty pounds a year is-let me see (hc
made brief calculation upon leaf of
his pocketbook)-y it is GO. lis, S A.
I'D. week-a sum far more than suf-
ficicnt to purchase the necessaries OF
life for two people. Nay! how many
married couples are there in England
to say nothing of other countries, who
would consider themselves positively
wealthy with such an income. And
you tell me that you cannot live upon
IT."
"Not in--in-the style which Is ex-
pected of people in our walk of life,"
cried his niece, her eyes flashing.
"Really, Selma" answered the phil
osopher, with his most superior" air,
"you do talk like very foolish girl
style? Style, indeed! Is it not happi-
ness that is the aim and object of mar
ried life? And does style promote hap
piness? Pshaw. The only source of
happiness Is a well-balanced mind. If
your minds are well balanced, you will
be happy upon G150 a year. And IL
your minds are not we'll balanced, YOU
would be unhappy upon G15O,0O0. The
famous Socrates"
."Oh! bother Socratesi" calculated
Selma, her cheeks glowing with indig-
nation. 1.-THE long and short of it, then,
" that you decline to give me any
financial assistance upon my mar
rfase?"
si.I decline" said Draycot ,Dabber "to
lavish upon you that which will not
make you one iota the happier, Were
Efo do so, l should simply stultify my
self and all my most cherished convic-
Hons"
css'It is cruel. 1t is unjust!" cried out
the girl, angrlly. And l have the
right to expect assistance-I know
.have-under my great uncle's will"
AT that the philosophers face as
snmed look OF annoyance-of irrita-
thon-quite incompatible with a we'll
balanced mind.
I''Nonsense!" he retorted hastily.
tsEoth,ng Of the kind. All / was called
upon to do by the will was to undertake
y6ur support And that ! am sure I
have done liberally-most literally.
Npt my uncle said nothing about CIV
fhk you money upon your marriage;
nDthing whatever. No doubt he recog-
all l.nk sI.A .t.I.