New-York tribune., 1902-08-25
TeR!oe@rG1ub'
IT ARGUES ABOUT ARGUING

|. ..Ir we all agreed upon every point, and there
were no differences of opinion" said Miss Holmes
amiably. what a tiresome world it would be!'
II think II would be a lovely world, said Mrs.
Fasley I'm so tired of arguments, Sometimes
wish we were all ike of pins precisely alike
Then we should all be congenal. and there would
be quarrels!"
I'm afraid there would always be quarrels." OBJ
served Mrs. Quitting. for, see. even rows of
pins have their points to prick with. It's possible
that the more alike we were the more we'd jar!
But I agree with you about arguments: detest
them"
DO you?" said Miss Merivale. why I like
them: think they are stimulating and interesting.
OF course no one is ever convinced. but uncon-
sciously views are broadened by hearing a fair
statement of some one else's views.
Provided" put in Mrs. Weldon. that the two
parties to the argument their views fairly
and listen with patience to the other side"
That's just the point!' exclaimed Mrs. Outing.
II cant!'
There was a general laugh. and she added. 81
dislike argument because I always get-well rat
tied! Excuse the slang. get so eager over II that
/ can't do justice my own views. and then. when
the other person talks down, and looks self sat
tsfed and triumphant, and I'm worsted' but not
convnced-and know I'm right
At this point several members showed so much
amusement that Mrs. Outing stopped. and laughed
with them Then she added half defantly:
We'll. 1 do get angry! And l believe great
many others do. but they don't acknowledge It, be
it is popularity supposed 70 be silly ana llp-
eral to get upset in argument. But it makes me
nervous and provokedi'
Il think it depends the subject and on the
person." said Mrs. Weldon. Il don't like to argue
on matters of great Importance, that hardly admit
of two SUES and | don't like to argue with per
son who doesn't know when he's beaten who
,alnks it his privilege to insult me because We
differ
aIways refuse pursue the subject if my an
tagonist doesn't play fair, = said Miss MeriVaIe:
Some people bully you IN argument. ana then OF
course, you can't go on.
But suppose the other person refuses TO stop?
He-or she-once started, may be like a runaway
automobile
Then you can change the subject abruptly and
You believe in radical measures don't you, Miss
Merivale?" said Mrs. Wright Il really think one
has to adopt them at times.
I'D adopt anything short of violence" cried Mrs.
Easey. in the of these peopie VINO dispute
every point and make argument out or simple
statement-ahout the weather. for example. know
one complains of hot weather because she prefers
il to cod And, then these people VINO know every
thing, They are as bad whist experts!"
No no! Oh. not so bad as that! said Miss
Merivale shaking her head.
II was struck with Mrs. Weldon said about
subjects that hardly admit OF two Sizes SAID Mrs
Wright Sometimes we are called iinberal be-
cause we cannot give in to what is obviously false
wrong
when we come TO that point We are on religion
or poitcs-the two impossible topics, said Mrs.
= can stand differences on religion said Miss
MeriyaIe The soIemnty of the subject is con-
ducive to patience and there are so many sides to
spiritual truth. But when 1t comes 10 pontlcs-
from me politically! Our fate would have been
that of the Kilkenny cats:
Then some one said Are you a Rep and
the members rose in a body and stopped her,