The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1912-02-21
# IS TRUE THAT YOU CAN'T ALWAYS TELL
Why Spend Time Regretting Something that Gave You
Pleasure Just Because You Didn't Happen to
Know 1t Was Something Else.
BY ESTHER GRIFFIN WHITE.

sY ESTHER GRIFFIN WHITE.
You can never tell"
This 10 a convenient, descriptive and
upropos little combination Of words
that can be variously applied.
II you don't know a thing, what's the
difference?
None.
In instance. A few weeks ago a set
Of musicians at the Murray, costumed
ike troubadours and playing in an
accomplished way on number Of diff
terent instruments. were greeted over
whelmingly and given many recalls
during the entire week. They were,
IT. deed, one of the best attractions
the vaudeville theatre has ever had.
One, with a charming voice, sang an
operate excerpt in Italian and they
we're generally accredited to that ma
ton although many thought them
Spaniards.
The truth is they were colored peo-
pie.
So race prejudice is frequently only
q matter of thinking.
People were delighted with them
not because they were Italians or
spaniards. white Americans or of the
Negro race. but because they were
superior musicians.
1t Is one of life's famed TRACE
dies that these people should have to
masquerade. after a fashion. in order
to have their talents appreciated for
what they really we're.
The writer remembers at one time
- have met Mr.. Charles w. Chestnut,
a we'll known American author with
Negro blood in his veins. at the meet
Of an association of people of literary
and artistic Affiliations.
Chestnut could not be distinguish
Cd as to race. since he Is almost white,
with light hair. And since he was of
accomplished and elegant manners,
having lived many years abroad and
speaking several languages. and was,
IN addition. a brilliant and interesting
man whose novels sold widely, many
Of them appearing in serial form in
tho Century Magazine and otherwhere,
he was a conspicuous figure.
Everyone was delighted with Mr..
Chestnut.
After his departure the writer was
approached by several women OF vari-
ouc ages who had been charmed with
the society of the we'll known author,
and Intercepted her as to whether or
not she knew Mr.. Chestnutt's race.
Assuredly.
Then why didn't you tell us?
Why?
Well--er-if we had known-er-
Now the truth is that the details of
the personality of man of distinction
arc usually available to the public.
They liked and admired the novelist
fir his personality, and were flattered
known a parsonage. Mr. Chestnut bore
himself faultlessly.
So what was the difference?
Imagination plays a larger part in ev-
cry day life than people admit-or i'm
agine. to make something of a bull.
Once a household in this city had a
maid who was given TO dropping
things.
The family had for luncheon one day
some peculiarly delicious young peas.
The mistress afterward complimented
,he cook upon her toothsome prepare
ton of this dish.
II hate to tell you. ma am" said the
latter, but l let the dish fall on the
floor and the peas flew every direc-
ton. and was so scared / scooped
them up and never said word about
it,"
The writer remembers once, too. to
have had a conversation with a MUIR
derer, and, not knowing he was a MUIR
dcrer. thought him very pleasant
sort of elderly man.
The man had served long prison
term but as there were mitigating cir
cumstances" had been pardoned.
The truth is the man was justified
III killing the man he shot if anybody
Is ever justified in killing anybody.
Very few people murder in cold blood
and with calculating intent. 1t is gen.
orally done in the heat of passion or