Evening star., 1925-08-21
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEEELL.

Titus and Drondicus, two dapper Ro-
mans, had eaten so much at the feast
that they were tired even of reclining
on cushions.
What shall we do now for sport?'
asked Titus.
I'VE might go practice at the arena
with the gladiators," answered Dron-
dicus, lazily lifting himself on his ell
bow.
"Servius, my gladiator friend, is not
on duty in the pits today" replied
Titus. "And. besides, 1 am heartily
wearied of the arena and everything
that has to do Herewith"
1T is true, Titus, that those crude
fellows are but monuments to the
flesh.'
You talk for all the world like old
Epictetus," laughed Titus. A fash of
inspiration came into his eyes.
II tell you what" he continued.
Let US go heckle old Ep.''
"A capital ideal" shouted Drondi-
Gus. What shall we bait the old chap
about?"
We'll, let's see-we must think up
some topic to set him going"
The two patricians were silent in
thought. Thinking. with them, was
not as easy as 1t was with Epictetus.
the Stole philosopher. Since they had
Journeyed from Rome to Nicopolos
time had hung heavily on their hands.
The sports of the Nicopolitan arena
had amused them, especially after
they had struck up a. personal ac-
quaintance with several of the more
intellectual of the entertainers. 1t Is
true that such friendships We're
froWned upon in the best Roman fami-
lies, but in the year 20 AID. the par
ents had lost control of their boys al
most entirely. What are our boys and
girls coming tor lamented the par
entS.
X y
Titus and Drondicus. their robes Dor.
dered with purple, arose in their youth
from the low reclining places, and set
forth with one accord for the marble
porch where EpiCtetus held forth.
AS they went along they discussed
various topics which they thought
would start the philosopher going
An idea to Epictetus was like a flame
applied to a forest.
From the primal idea came forth
many ideas, so that in no time at all
the famous philosopher was in a veri-
table blaze, sending forth wisdom in
huge quantities at every sentence.
Now, there was no gainsaying that
many of the younger men of Nicopo-
lis often played upon this liking of
''old Ep." as they called him, for the
spoken word.
Epictetus did like to talk He ad-
mitted 1t himself. He was rather
wordy, he told himself, at times, but
still his words were words of wisdom
for were they not founded on the
immortal wisdom of such great Stole
teachers as Zeno. Rufus, and upon
such other great minds as Socrates
and Homer?
We'll, what shall we ask Epictetus
about?" logged Titus, as they went
along, each holding his toga tight
around him, in the latest Roman fash
ion. The boys rather prided them
selves on showing these Nicopolitans
thing or two"
We'll. let's see" unused Drondicus.
'I can't think OF a thing" lamented
Titus.
by Jove! I've got IT," cried Dron-
deus. I'VE are taking lot of pains
to think up good topic, are we not?''
Then let us ask Epictetus to talk
to US about taking palms."
r y <*
Tell us, o Epictetus, about taking
palms. petitioned Drondicus, after
the two were formally seated on a
marble seat on the mottled marble
porch.
Taking pains is a great deal of
trouble" demurely suggested Titus,
winking broadly to the remainder of
the pupils.
When you cease to take pains for
a little while, do not fancy that you
may recommence whenever you