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THE NORMAL RECORD. dulged in a joke, or a story, or, perhaps, a labored epigram. Puns were, however, avoided, and on the whole his conversation was in studied taste, though, at times, and I must confess, unavoidably a trifle wearisome. At length after a sharp discussion apropos of some foreign opinions about the best future course for our country there came to our conversation a somewhat singular lull. The party seemed to be gathering its mental breath. But this process came to a conclusion in my friend on the right somewhat before it had run its course elsewhere. He raised his head, and also, in a slight degree, his voice, and spoke oracularly. "lam in general an enemy of giving advice. This step seems to me a drastic process: a last resort like capital operations in surgery. If by any chance I am asked to counsel with some one about measures affecting his future, I feel much as a conscientious surgeon does when he takes in hand the weapon by which he will in all probability effect an assassination. For observe, I am asked to substitute in place of the character, the motives, the personality of this individual my own character, motives and personality. Is it likely that he will bring to pass this vital change in himself without severe and perhaps destructive throes ? And suppose that he does succeed in accomplishing the transformation, what has become of him ? He is annihilated, and in place of him there is a shadow of somebody else. Hence, I am an accessory to spiritual suicide if not in all essential respects a downright murderer." "But worse than all this, I am a particularly unfortunate type of the destroyer of souls. For near me, perpetually, like a second self, is this modified personality at whose phoenix-birth I officiated. I am like Dr. Jekyll, save that my Mr. Hyde is not merely my partial and perhaps degenerate self, but also a wretched coffin for a vanished individual, once self-reliant and entire. Thus am I tortured by Satanic responsibility." The speaker here paused in order to allow the perspiration, incident upon his effort to subside, and also that he might receive and enjoy the indirectly offered congratulations of his auditors. But at the further and opposite end of the table there sat an individual, who, being a journalist, was possessed in a high degree of two characteristic qualities—inquisitiveness and a rage for criticism. He had pricked up his ears, and at the first pause was prepared to set going the machinery of his speech. " But suppose the person whom you advise in consequence of what you say to him is lucky ? What then ? For my part I am willing to have my soul killed, now and then, provided I might get a few thousand at each execution." The literateur looked about quickly. On his face there was a look, that to one who was unable to assure himself by his ears that there was no sound, would have unmistakably signified a snort. But the countenance quickly resumed its serenity, and the gentleman replied: "There may be a multitude of answers to your objection. First, and perhaps most notable, is the one that arises when we reflect that no man is so well off but that he may be more prosperous. Grant him health, wealth and friends, and he is sorry that he is not President, and if outwardly he is grateful to you through whose advice he has gained what he has, you cannot rid yourself of a feeling that he blames you for what he hai not. I believe that he does so rightly, for you have taken the helm away from him aud he can but drift as you have directed." The speaker evidently intended to continue, and the pause that he now made was, therefore, merely for paragraphic effect. But if he was desirious of going right on, his device, though artistically well conceived, was from the point of view of strategy a failure. For instantly our host broke forth with a personal application. " My dear fellow, you are mistaken as to the facts. I have no desire to be President. I am quite prosperous enough as it is." "That is because you have been advised to make something of yourself," said his wife, before any of us had time to think. I knew very well that the literateur was a favorite of hers. But while the rest of the company was struggling to get its bearings our protagonist hastened to interrupt the domestic interchange of courtesies. "I call your attention, however, to the fact that in by far the greater number of cases the advice that we give, even when it
Object Description
Title | The Normal Record. October 1898 |
Original Date | 1898-10 |
Description | The Record. Published by the Associated Students of Chico State College. |
Creator | Chico State College |
Location of Original | Archives |
Call Number | LD723 C57 |
Digital Collection | The Record: Chico State Yearbook Collection |
Digital Repository | Meriam Library, California State University, Chico. |
Description-Abstract | The Record served as both a student magazine and a commencement program for Chico Normal School. In the year 1898, it was published almost monthly. |
Date Digital | 2013 |
Language | eng |
Rights | For information on the use of the images in this collection contact the Special Collections Department at 530.898-6342 or email: specialcollections@csuchico.edu |
Format | image/tiff |
Filename | index.cpd |
Description
Title | 1898_10_NormalRecord.006 |
Original Date | 1898-10 |
OCR- Transcript | THE NORMAL RECORD. dulged in a joke, or a story, or, perhaps, a labored epigram. Puns were, however, avoided, and on the whole his conversation was in studied taste, though, at times, and I must confess, unavoidably a trifle wearisome. At length after a sharp discussion apropos of some foreign opinions about the best future course for our country there came to our conversation a somewhat singular lull. The party seemed to be gathering its mental breath. But this process came to a conclusion in my friend on the right somewhat before it had run its course elsewhere. He raised his head, and also, in a slight degree, his voice, and spoke oracularly. "lam in general an enemy of giving advice. This step seems to me a drastic process: a last resort like capital operations in surgery. If by any chance I am asked to counsel with some one about measures affecting his future, I feel much as a conscientious surgeon does when he takes in hand the weapon by which he will in all probability effect an assassination. For observe, I am asked to substitute in place of the character, the motives, the personality of this individual my own character, motives and personality. Is it likely that he will bring to pass this vital change in himself without severe and perhaps destructive throes ? And suppose that he does succeed in accomplishing the transformation, what has become of him ? He is annihilated, and in place of him there is a shadow of somebody else. Hence, I am an accessory to spiritual suicide if not in all essential respects a downright murderer." "But worse than all this, I am a particularly unfortunate type of the destroyer of souls. For near me, perpetually, like a second self, is this modified personality at whose phoenix-birth I officiated. I am like Dr. Jekyll, save that my Mr. Hyde is not merely my partial and perhaps degenerate self, but also a wretched coffin for a vanished individual, once self-reliant and entire. Thus am I tortured by Satanic responsibility." The speaker here paused in order to allow the perspiration, incident upon his effort to subside, and also that he might receive and enjoy the indirectly offered congratulations of his auditors. But at the further and opposite end of the table there sat an individual, who, being a journalist, was possessed in a high degree of two characteristic qualities—inquisitiveness and a rage for criticism. He had pricked up his ears, and at the first pause was prepared to set going the machinery of his speech. " But suppose the person whom you advise in consequence of what you say to him is lucky ? What then ? For my part I am willing to have my soul killed, now and then, provided I might get a few thousand at each execution." The literateur looked about quickly. On his face there was a look, that to one who was unable to assure himself by his ears that there was no sound, would have unmistakably signified a snort. But the countenance quickly resumed its serenity, and the gentleman replied: "There may be a multitude of answers to your objection. First, and perhaps most notable, is the one that arises when we reflect that no man is so well off but that he may be more prosperous. Grant him health, wealth and friends, and he is sorry that he is not President, and if outwardly he is grateful to you through whose advice he has gained what he has, you cannot rid yourself of a feeling that he blames you for what he hai not. I believe that he does so rightly, for you have taken the helm away from him aud he can but drift as you have directed." The speaker evidently intended to continue, and the pause that he now made was, therefore, merely for paragraphic effect. But if he was desirious of going right on, his device, though artistically well conceived, was from the point of view of strategy a failure. For instantly our host broke forth with a personal application. " My dear fellow, you are mistaken as to the facts. I have no desire to be President. I am quite prosperous enough as it is." "That is because you have been advised to make something of yourself," said his wife, before any of us had time to think. I knew very well that the literateur was a favorite of hers. But while the rest of the company was struggling to get its bearings our protagonist hastened to interrupt the domestic interchange of courtesies. "I call your attention, however, to the fact that in by far the greater number of cases the advice that we give, even when it |