The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-03

for us round the corner that have been
laying for other people all these CEN
turtles. I've also discovered that most of
the philosophers have embodied their
wisdom and experience In the books they
have left behind them. I've never seen
The widom myself of airing ones diseon-
tent and restlessness to some one who
can only make you more dissatisfled-who
can offer no solution to the general tan
gle of things"
You mean, them" 1 questioned. that
you really do get off and spend a day
with yourself, to get back your balance,
as IL were?"
Precisely" she answered. There was
a time when I'd stay in town close to
people, hoping to find distraction and
forgetfulness In that way. Now | know
better plan. | get up early and fix up
a nice little lunch and get away; out In
the open, where there is some water to
look at and a blue sky to dream under
There's a strange peace that passeth I'M
Outstanding. getting off like that. ! like
to sit IN one of those little old benches
cut at East Lake Park, by the water,
carly in the morning before the crowd
dominates the place, and let the breezes
blow through my hair and over my face
and basR in the glorious sunlight
Having spent hours without even so
much as speaking to a human being, |
reel peIteG dDOuI-flA Elk ll1lNl-dl inc
end of the day.
you don't lunch alone?" | quered.
Certainly l do. Nancy replied. Didn't
| say it was spending the day with MY
SELF? At that stage of the game l
wouldn't disturb the deep peace that has
come over me by associating with myself
for the world! Don't you remember Mrs.
Wharton's story of the professor who
eloped with an IDEA? Well, clipping for
n with self lie nt1ita dwarf
ing"
you mean you really can manage TO
spend a whole day at an Amusement Park
by YOURSELF without seeing a person
you know and enjoy it'll asked
Certainly l cam said Nancy trium-
phantly. And the day isn't HALF long
enough. either. l like to see all the differ
ent types of Humanity who go to such
places. The coolies of little barefooted
boys and girls who patter along the bor-
ders of the pretty lake. who go fishing
and rowing and who enjoy the place as
much as | do. l like to see the little tow
headed fellows swim and hang about the
shore like barnacles, and I like to watch
the blow-y shirted little girls standing
on the banks looking at them. ] like to
see the grandmothers in the crowd and
the Newly WEEDS with their saually baby,
and / like to see the summer Wtdowers
and the flirty girls. and the lovers, and
the whole show. and ] love TO hear the
music all mixed up with the sound of the
grass cutter and the smell of the new
mown hay. and all the rest. It's delicious,
ard above all l love to be there a
spectator, not having to speak or to be
spoken to, and commune with nature and
the beautiful surroundings
Then when the evening comes" she
went dreamily. Il like to sit and see the
little boats on the lake being rowed in
by stalwart. strong, young arms. And
the joy of living oozng from the coun-
tenances fthose who have spent glor-
ious day. or part of day in such a
wholesome manner | read my books once
more-'The Story of an African Farm
or "A Tale of Two Cities. The Lady of
the Decoration, or 'Queed'-these are
some of my favorltes that take with me
on day like that, when l spend 1t with
MYSELF. And then l get ready to go
home long before the crowd thinks of
leaving. rejoicing on my way. I arrive
refreshed and rejuvenated, both In mind
and In body, satisfied and happy. Some
people may not consider me much fun.
or very companionable, but for an all day
partner I'd choose myself quicker than
almost anybody 1 know"