The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1871-05-25

tily excusing herself, left the room. The
lunch bell rang, and as we seated our
selves at the table, l was deeply gratified
to find Fanny occupying her usual
place, attending to the wants of the fam
lily. II had been great trial to the
good girl, and her eyes were red and
swollen with weeping, but, thank heav-
en-, principle conquered tor once.
Now, do not think Mrs. Burt at all
to blame for her dislike to the Todd fam
lily. They we're just what she repre-
sented, set of bores, social sponges, 60
| ing from house to house, smelling out
good things to eat, and tit bits of scan-
dsl to roll like sweet morsels under
their tongues. But the first question is,
what right has woman to allow her
self to be bored What right has any
one to trespass upon your valuable time
Who has right to invade your home
sanctuaryp There is only one decent
way of disposing of such folks and that
is by giving them fully to understand
that their room is better than their COM
pany. "Not at home," aside from its
lying significance, only postpones the
evil day. They will come tomorrow, or
next day, and early enough in all prob
ability to insure reception. Do you
ask what Mrs. Burt should have done
in the instance above citedp This. She
should have gone down to the parlor,
and after formal lady-like greeting,
remarked, miss Todd, you will be COM
| PEELED to excuse me this morning, have
an engagement, shortly, which will oc-
cupy all the time l have at my disposal
to-day" or words to that effect. If, af-
ter that, she persisted in dropping in,
the simple word "engaged might pos
sibly reach her case. In fact never
saw but very few who were not cured
by an occasional application of this con-
ventional rod! And for this reason do
not believe in the use of the word be-
tween friends. Ladies with great appa-
rent justice complain, that they are
obliged in sheer social self-defence, to
plead "not at home" because of the af-
front conveyed in almost every instance
where they declare an engagement. In
large cities where it spoils whole day
to make a single call, on account Of the
distance to be traversed, it is very hard
for lady, after three or four miles
| trip, to present herself at friends
house, and be informed that the individ-
ual in question is engaged. To me it
seems utterly heartless, and for my own
part should never, under any circum-
stances, ring that door-bell again. This
may be exceptionally excusable; but
only 30. There might arise extreme ca
ses, emergencies, sudden household trou-
bles where this would be sufficient
apology, but such armistice calamities
are exceedingly rare, and even under the
pressure of the most distressing circum-
stances, true woman will always re-
member the friend who waits in her
parlor. From the bottom of my heart,
really believe that women should plead
engaged much oftener than they do. l
believe that many waste years OF valua-
BILE time upon vain, heartless, and stu
pid men and women, who haven't
thought above the adornment of their
own persons, and the discussion of their
neighbors' wardrobes. 1t is seldom of
the least use to attempt to play mission.
ary to such. Precept and example are
alike lost upon them, and the result
reached by the missionary is invariably
nervousness, and brain decentralization,
if no other. II may have sincere re-
gard for friend, and yet be up to my
eyes in some kind of housework or sew
ing, and in dishsbille, what can be done
them" you ask. If friend waits, one
you care to see, 1 haven't the least doubt
but you will find it easy enough to man
age. l am of course speaking now to
those who are known to be workers by
their friends. If a gentleman, and you
cannot leave your picking and preserv-
ing, run up and tell him so. Surely,
your wrapper and linen collar will sd-
NIT OF such visit. If lady, invite her
down. Ten to one you can teach her
something, and ten to one she would en-
Joy her call under such circumstances q
thousand times more than in the draw
ing-room. Do anything but say you
are engaged to friend, or not at home
to an enemy.