The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-11-19
IN coULsON KERNAHAN.

- r WE cannot do what we wish,
in spite of circumstances, we
shall never do it because of
them. Whatever may be wrong
with society. of cause is a ques-
ton apart; but assuming that
much is wrong, this axiom is true and
must be taken into serious cOnSidera-
ton when we take up the question of
bringing society to a proper apprecia-
ton of existing conditions and to g, full
realization Of its duties. If the Simple
Life is the panacea for all ills, then
we might as well face the fact that
the Simple Life is within ourselves.
Men and women of my acquaintance
protest themselves in love with sim
plicity of living, but aver that they
cannot live simply because Of the com
peiing force OF circumstances. Those
are not simple livers. but simply fools.
Therefore I repeat, if we cannot do
what we wish, in spite Of cireum-
stances, we shall never do it because
of them.
Possibly there is no greater lover
of the life which is simple than King
Edward. He does not shirk his duties,
Off, by choice. to his farm. his fields,
and his Cattle-breeding.
remember once penetrating on my
bicycle into the lOneliests most desOlate,
and out-of-the-way spot in all Essex
if not in all England. Half a dozen
laborers' cottages, tin meeting
house, a stuffy shop and a small tav-
ern stood in the centre of a stretch of
depressing marshy fiat. far away from
everywhere. 1Iunching bread and
cheese in the tavern parlor, I asked
the landlord whether he did not find
life dull in this lonely spot.
Quilt" he said in surprise; why
no, sir. There amt so many pleasures
in life, are there now? I'm very fond
of cheese and onion, or bit o. b'led
mutton, and of a Jug from my wife,
and of a kiss from my little gal, and of
a friend chat over a pipe and glass
I as EN- all ere, and I couldn't enjoy
'em more, not if I was a blOomin
dock, and sad EN- in 'Ide Park-now
could u"
7 did not explain that it was scarce
ly the custom of dukes to lunch or
dine, caress their offspring, or toy
with their matrimonial Amaryllis lin
the shade of Hyde Park; but 1 had to
admit that there was much philosophy
in his point of view.
1t is a platitude that the secret of
happiness lies in being content with
what we have, not in signing after
what we have not; but no nail loQs-
ems so easily as the nail which holds a
plautude fixed where it may catch the
eye; and the wise man must often
make it his business to drive the nail
home for himself and for other people.
1T is always the obvious which is over
looked My friend the tavern keeper
had realized that life's pleasure-h
has but few strings. The avowed
pleaSure-seeker may anXiously endeav-
or, by Celebrations or variations of the
original melody, to wiring more than
his share Of music from the instru-
ment, but I doubt whether he hears a
sWeeter melody than is heard by the
man who is content with the simpler
air AT the table of a hostess whose
dinners are among the most sump-
guous In London 7 was asked whether
the SaVOry were not delicious" Nat
urally I assented, both on the seore
OF pleased palate and of polfteness
but 1 ren1ember saying to myself
Yes, it is delicious. Money and a
French cook went no doubt to its
making; but, if the truth were told.
this costly dainty is only a variation
upon the humble Kippered herring
which gave edge to my brea kfast This
morning And so 1t was. If cheese
were a guinea an ounce, if onions cost
a pound, instead of a penny, onions
and cheese would be served at every
great banquet, and gourmets would
smack thelr lips, roll their eyes, and
nurmur piously, Heavenly heaven
ly!' The palate of the pIain-Ifver is
uckled TO as pleasant a tune as the
palate of the high-ltver. Wherefore
agaln L say Plump for the Simple
The Simple Life, I repeat, is within
ourselves. 1t is much more a matter
Of the soul than of the senses. 1t NAV
be lived In society as we'll as in soil
tude. All that is necessary is TO make
up ones mind to possess ones own
soul not to put it out to pawn. for
the sake of money. or of social stand-
ing, or Of anything else which the
world can offer. The greatest enemy
and obstacle to the Simple Life is the
fear of what people will say of Won.
once make up your mind to lay that