“A LOGICAL PARADOX.”

A LOGICAL PABADOX. By LBWIS CARBOLL.4 " What, nothing to do ?" said Uncle Jim." Then come along with me down to Allen's.And yon can jnat take a turn while I get myself shaved."" All right," said Uncle Joe." And the Cub had better come too, I suppose?"The " Cub " was vu, as the reader will perhaps have guessed for himself.I'm turned fifteen-more than three months ago ; but there's no sort of nse in mentioning that to Uncle Joe : he'd only say " Go to your cubbicle, little boy !" or " Then I suppose you can do cubbic equations ?" or some equally vile pun.He asked me yesterday to give him an instance of a Proposition in A. And I said " All uncles make vile puns".And I don't think he liked it.However, that's neither here nor there.I was glad enough to go.I do love hearing those uncles of mine " chop logic," as they call it; and they're desperate hands at it, / can tell yon 1 " That is not a logical inference from my remark," said Uncle Jim." Never said it was," said Uncle Joe: " it's a Rediietio ad Abturdum"." An Illicit Proeeu of the Minor!" chuckled Uncle Jim.That's the sort of way they always go on, whenever Fm with them.As if there was any fun in calling me a Minor!After a bit.Uncle Jim began again, just as we came in sight of the barber's." I only hope Oarr will be at home," he said." Brown's so clumsy.And Allen's hand has been shaky ever since he had that fever."" Carr's certain to be in," said Uncle Joe." I'll bet you sixpence he itn't!" said I. " Keep your bets for your betters," said Uncle Joe." I mean "-he hurried on.seeing by the grin on my face what a dip he'd made-" I mean that I can prove it, logically.It isn't a matter of chance."" Prove it Ingirally I" sneered Uncle Jim." Fire away, then I I defy you to do it!"" For the sake of argument," Uncle Joe began, " let us assume Carr to be out.And let us see what that assumption would lead to.I'm going to do this by Reductin ad Abturdum."" Of course you are!" growled Uncle Jim." Never knew any argument of your* that didn't end in some absurdity or other!" " Unprovoked by your unmanly taunts," Raid Uncle Joe in a' lofty tone, " I proceed.Carr being out, you will grant that, if Allen is aXim out, Brown must be at home? " " What's the good of hit being at home ?" said Uncle Jim." I don't want Brown to shave me !He's too clumsy."" Patience is one of those inestimable qualities " Uncle Joe was beginning ; but Uncle Jim cut him off short." Argue !" he said." Don't moralise!"" Well, but do you grant it ?" Uncle Joe persisted." Do you grant me that, if Carr is out, it follows tliat if Allen is ont Brown murf be in ?" " Of course he miiRt," Raid Uncle Jim ; " or there'd be nobody to mind the shop."" We nee, then, that the absence of Carr bringB into play a certain at University of Tennessee ?Knoxville Libraries