The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-27


suburbs is not necessarily to be entirely out
of the procession.
"AIl this winter, out
The Suburban in the country" said
Light Parade. a suburban lady. 1--WE
have had such a
lovely time with our lights
Lights? What lights?" the interested
listener asked.
''Oh forget how IL started" the lady ex-
planned. but two of us, whose families live
nearest and, consequently. are most init
mate began the practice Of flashing our
lights at each other when bedtime came
generally at o'clock. unless we had guests.
We carry lamp UP into our tower and the
Blanks carry a lamp up into their tower;
then we turn the lamps down and up again,
several times to indicate that 1t Is an in
territorial and not accidental signal. Some
times the men hang their lanterns out OF
the window and wave them at each other.
You haven't any idea how delightful and
companionable 1t seems to flash our good
night lights at each other across the bare.
brown wintry fields, or with snow on the
ground 1t always gives us a glow. in head
end heart, and does us good.
Then our little friendship custom leaked
out In the neighborhoOd, and several other
families asked to be allowed to join the g.
O'Clock light parade. We were pleased TO
have them, of course. the more the merrier;
all took part In it-even the children
joyed 1t immensely-and when we meet on
the cars there is a deal Of chatter about
the lights. Did you see our light last night?
We saw yours and so on.
ION Christmas eve we all made great
show of bright lights, and II was delightful.
Nothing makes such a pretty signal as
lamp set suddenly in a window; the rising
OF the household STAR 1t might be called.
Some OF the men say they intend to fire off
rockets on New Years eve. Henry says that
I'm old times. in Indiana, the pioneers used to
signal to each other on Christmas eve from
farm to farm. by firing OFF pistols and guns.
We think our goodnight signals are a great
promoter of good feeling; and mean to keep
them up all through the more or less shut
IN and dreary winter nights"
Concerning the rumor that the late Her
bert Spencer had pair of ear muffs which
he would don when he found himself where
the conversation did not
Herbert spen- entertain him. an ex-
GERS Ways. PLANTATION is brought
forward
Herbert Spencer no doubt, had unusual
ways" remarked an Indiana woman; ''ordi-
nary persons have ordinary ways and it is
but logical 10 grant freely to extraordinary
persons their extraordinary ways. From an
American lady who was entertained in
England. several years ago. at the same
house in which Herbert Spencer was
guest. 1 have heard the true story OF Her
bert Spencer's ear muffiers. Mr.. Spencers
ideas. of course. were his main interest in
life: he lived by and for his scientihc-philo-
sophie trains Of thought, and could not af-
ford to- neglect them At dinner even in a
great company. when his mind entered on
a process of reasoning which seemed vaIu-
able TO him. he was won't. so il is reported
TO extract from his pocket a little pair of
silver clips. which he adjusted to his
ears, TO isolate mis- intellectual machinery
from interruption until the train OF reason
ing had satisfactorily elaborated itself TO
the desired conclusion. Mr. Spencer's So
ciety valued by his friends, and these
brief periods of withdrawal, on his part
were courteously ignored
AT this same English house. once. when
Herbert Spencer was a guest. an odd thing
happened. The profound thinker stayed be-
yond the date for which he was invited
His hostess in a dilemma; she had a
visiting date 10 ill elsewhere. So. as gently
as possible. she told Mr. Spencer how she
regretted tina; his visit must end; that She
also, had 10 be gone on the next day.
Dear lady said Herbert Spencer, in
substance. IL not in these words. fulfill your
engagement by ali means. but, oh. leave 10
me yet few days longer the enjoyment OF
your delightful home-my happiness in your
lovely garden. No trouble will make. but
must tear myself more gently away; in