, 1877-03-02
Entertaining Company.

Do not we sometimes grudge the
trouble some friends puts us TO or think
our time ought to be better spent than
in merely entertaining company But
only reminding you Of the Christian
duty involved, would look little far.
ther into this matter Of entertaining. l
have two friends in my mind as / write.
One Of them when moving, early last
Fall, said, "Our new house has one ad.
vantage, there is no spare bedroom.
Mother has always told me 1 could not
afford to have q spare bedroom and |
know it now to my cost, so I'm glad the
new house is small" had been to visit
this acquaintance [ 1 can hardly call her
friend) once and did not wonder that
she could not afford a spare room. Her
husband was only moderately well off
and they lived, knew, quite simply,
but you never would have thought so
from the way I was entertained. The
"best things" of every kind were
brought out, extra and unnecessary
dishes were provided at every meal, and
all the usual routine of the house was,
felt instinctively, interrupted by my
visit. As all this display tickled the
young woman's pride, her spare room
was often used; but care was taken to
invite those that in some way
would do them credit" No wonder
the tax was felt to be heavy one.
The other friend was one who had the
experience of eight or ten years of mar
ried life to guide her, and was also not
at all well off; but in describing her new
home, she said: And the best of it is,
1 have nice spare room" Perhaps she
guessed what was passing in my mind,
for she added, "You know I have al
ways been fond of entertaining my
friends, and don't mean to give up the
pleasure. I shall keep the rule made
when we were married, though"
What was that?"
"Not to make any difference in my
manner of living. You know 1 am kept
by home duties from working in any of
the societies or associations, so I like
to do my share of the work by entertain
ing. 1t is not always my intimate
friends that enjoy my spare room, but
any tired lonely soul that happen to
hear of. But come and spend few days
with me next week and I will give you
a practical illustration as to entertain
ing. Don't say you can't come. 1
promise you shall be as free to write or
read as at home"
The invitation was very tempting and
as one of the dear aunties came to visit
the children I Ireached my friends house
about dusk one day the next week. She
took me at once to her spare room" 1t
seemed o sitting room as well as bed
room, with its nice square table covered
with an odd looking cloth, its lounge,
hanging baskets, books and papers.
1 stayed three days with my dear
friend, and, as far as any feeling that
l was interrupting her in her duties, I
might be there still. In the morning
she went about her house, for she was a
notable housekeeper, whileI, accustom-
ed to teach my boy, gladly took care of
her little girls lessons. In the afternoon
we worked and wrote and walked out. I
have never spent three happier days.
The afternoon of the last day she said,
Now do you understand my practical
illustration about entertaining?"
"You mean you take your company
in your home life? don't put your. home
life all on one side because you have
company"
ttYes, that's it. Now, Just as a mat
ter of curiosity, here is list of last
weeks marketing and here of this weeks.
See how nearly the two weeks cores
pond. I have not made company of you,
inasmuch, as 1 have not baked extra
cake or pies, but I've enjoyed you
thoroughly.
All, that is the secret of entertaining
your friends arightl Enjoy your COM
pany. If your means are ample and you
can indulge in extra dishes, if that is
pleasure to you. indulge yourself, but
don't think because you ought not to
spend money on such things, you must
not have company. The best OF us grow
little careless and new face expected
among us is good thing. We brighten
up our silver, arrange our pretty vases
and books afresh, and do many little
thing that has been left from day to day
"to be done tomorrow" But when
your friends come, remember they come
to see you, not the results of two or
three days hard work. You don't feel
afraid to leave friend alone. II your
children, house or neighbors need you,
attend to the duty aud trust 10 o book,
or paper to amuse your friend.-Chris-
tidn Weekly.
CRACKED HANDS CURED.-None but
the laboring man, who has suffered
misery while using an Ak or pounding
with other tools, can rightly appreciate
Il a. = n =