The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1878-01-23
An Agreeable Guest.

Susan A. Brown writes in ST. Nicho.
las Magazine TT Q longest visit that
we read of in modern days was one which
DIR. Isaac Watts made at Lord Abney's
n the Isle of Wight. He went to spend
a fortnight, but they made him so happy
that he remained beloved and honored
guest for forty years.
Few of us would care to make so long
visit as that, but it might be worth the
while for us all to try and learn the
secret of making ourselves agreeable and
welcome guests. To have" "a nice lime
when visiting is delightful, but to leave
behind us pleasant impression is worth
a great deal more.
An agreeable guest is q title which any
one may be proud to deserve. A great
many people, with the best intentions
and the kindest hearts, never receive it,
simply because they have never con-
sidered the subject, and really do not
know how to make their stay in another
persons home pleasure instead of an
inconvenience. If you are one of these
thoughtless ones, you may be sure that,
although your friends are glad to see you
happy, and may enjoy your visit on that
account, your departure will be followed
with sigh of relief, as the family settle
down to their usual occupations, glad
that the visit is over.
A great many different qualities and
habits 20 to make up the character OF
one whom people are always glad to see,
and these last must be proved while we
are young, if we expect to wear them
gracefully. A young person whose
presence in the house is an inconvenience
and WEAKNESS at fifteen, is seldom q
welcome visitor in after-life.
The two most important characteristics
of guest are tact and observation, and
these will lead you to notice and do Just
what will give pleasure to your friends
in their different opinions and ways OF
living. Apply in its best sense the
maxim "When you are in Rome, do as
the Romans do"
Unless you have some good reason
for not doing 80, let your friends know
the day, and, if possible, the hour when
you expect to arrive. Surprises are very
we'll in their way, but there are few
householdsin which it is quite convenient
to have friend drop in without warning
for protracted visit. If they know that
you are coming, they will have the
pleasure of preparing for you and look.
ing forward to your arrival, and you will
not feel that you are disturbing any pre-
yious arrangements Which they have
made for the day.
Let your friends know, if possible,
soon after you arrive, about how long
YOU mean to stay W it'll them, as they
might not like to ask the question, and
would still find it convenient to know
whether your visit is to have duration
of three days or four weeks. Take with
YOU some work that you have already
begun, or some book that you are read
ing, that you may be agreeably employ
ed when your hostess is engaged with
her own affairs, and not be sitting about
idle. as if waiting to be entertained,
when her time is necessarily taken up
with something else. Make her feel
that, for small part at least OF every
day, no one needs to have any RESPONSE
bility about amusing you.
A lady who is charming as guest and
az a hostess once said to me: i" never
take a nap in the afternoon when an
at home, but do when I am visiting,
because T know what relief it has
sometimes been to me to have company
lie down for little while. after dinner.