Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1914-06-19

the most interesting musee in France.
Indeed, Elsa gradually became the
center of interest she drew them IN
tentionally. She brought touch OF
home to the Frenchman, to the Ger
man, to the Italian, to the Spaniard'
and the British official, in whose hands
the civil business of the Straits Set
Elements rested, was charmed to learn
that Elsa had spent various week
ends at the home of his sister in Sur
rey.
And when she admitted that she
was the daughter of General Chet-
wood, the man to whom the Indian
government had cause to be grateful,
upon more than one occasion, for the
solidity of his structures, the colonel
realized definitely the seriousness OF
his crucifiXion. He sat stiffer and stiff
fer in his chair, and the veins in his
nose grew deeper and deeper in hue
He saw clearly that he would never
understand American women. He had
committed an outrageous blunder. He,
instead of dominating, had been domi-
mated by three faultfinding old wo-
men; and, without being aware of the
fact, had looked at things from their
point of view. A most inconceivable
blunder. He would not allow that he
was being swayed less by the admis-
sion of his objectionable rudeness on
board than by the immediate knowl-
edge that Elsa was known to the Brit
ish officials sister. n titled lady who
stood exceedingly high at court.
Miss Chetwood," he said, lowering
his voice for her ears only.
Elsa turned, but with the expression
that signified that her attention was
engaged elsewhere.
"Yes?"
'I am an old man. l am siXty-two;
and most of these siXty-two l have
lived roughly: but am not too old to
realize that | have made a fool of my
self"
Interest began to fill Elsa's eyes.
1T has been said" he went on, keep
ing the key, that am man OF cour-
age, but / find that need good deal
of that lust now / have been rude to
YOU, and without warrant, and l offer
YOU my humble apologies" lie fum-
bled with his cravat as if it had sud
denly frightened. will you accept"
Instantly" Elsa understood the
quality of courage that had stirred the
colonel.
Thanks"
But ruthlessly: II should, however,
like your point of view in regard to
what you consider my conduct"
rs it necessary"
II believe it would be better for my
understanding if you made full con-
fession." She did not mean to be re-
lentless, but her curiosity was too
strong not to press her advantage.
Well then, over here as elsewhere
in the world there are standards by
which we judge persons who come un-
der our notice"
Agreed. Individuality is not gen
orally understandable"
BY the mediocre, you might have
added. That's the difficulty with in
dividuality: it refuses to be harnessed
by mediocrity. and mediocrity holds
the whip hand. always. l represent
the mediocre"
"Oh. never!" said Elsa animatedly.
"Mediocrity is always without cour-
age"
You are wrong. 1t has the courage
Of it's convictions"
Rather is it not stubbornness, will
ful refusal to recognize things as they
are?"
He countered the question with an
other. "Supposing we were all indi-
yiduals, in the sense you mean? sup
posing each of us did exactly as he
pleased? Can you honestly imagine a
more confusing place than this world
would be? The Manchurian pony is
wild little beast, an individual II
ever there was one; but man tames
him and puts to use his energies. And
SO it is with human individuality. we
of the mediocre tame it and harness
and make il useful to the general well
fare of humanity. And when we en-
counter the untamable, in order to
safeguard ourselves, we must turn II
back into the wilderness, an outlaw.
Indeed. I might call individuality an
element, like fire and water and air.
But who conquer fire and water
and air?" Elsa demanded, believing;
she had him pocketed.
"Mediocrity, through the individual
of this or that being. Humanity in the
bulk is mediocre. And odd as it seems
individuality (Which is another word
for genius), believes ii leads medic
crity. But it can not be made to un-
derstand that mediocrity ordains the
leadership.
"Then you contend that in the
hands of the stupid lies the balance
OF power"
Let us not say stupid, rather the
unimaginative. the practical and plod-
ding. The stubbornest person in Inc
world is one with an idea"
"Do you honestly insist that you
are mediocre"
"No," thoughtfully. II am one OF
those stubborn men with ideas. /
merely insist that I prefer to accept
the tents of mediocrity for my own
nlace and the place of others"
Elsa forgot those about her, forgot
her intended humiliation of the man
IJa Aapia6 that he was