Philosopher Jack, by R.M. Ballantyne

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Title: Philosopher Jack

Author: R.M. Ballantyne

Release Date: June 7, 2007 [EBook #21756]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

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Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England

PHILOSOPHER JACK, BY R.M. BALLANTYNE.

CHAPTER ONE.

TREATS OF OUR HERO AND OTHERS.

If the entire circuit of a friend's conversation were comprised in the words "Don't" and "Do,"--it might perhaps be taken for granted that his advice was not of much value; nevertheless, it is a fact that Philosopher Jack's most intimate and valuable--if not valued--friend never said anything to him beyond these two words. Nor did he ever condescend to reason. He listened, however, with unwearied patience to reasoning, but when Jack had finished reasoning and had stated his proposed course of action, he merely said to him, "Don't," or "Do."

"For what end was I created?" said the philosopher, gloomily.

Wise and momentous question when seriously put, but foolish remark, if not worse, when flung out in bitterness of soul!

Jack, whose other name was Edwin, and his age nineteen, was a student. Being of an argumentative turn of mind, his college companions ha

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