St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-09-21
Unernected Co,nnnu,..

How we like to see a woman entertain
unexpected company in quiet, unembar-
raised way! There is no truer evidence of
good housekecper than this. Unexpected
company ,oiN come, and the pleasure of the
one visiting is greatly marred if he feels
that he has thrown the household into con-
fusion, and made extra work for the house
keeper.
know of families where, when visitors
come Unexpectedly, the whole household
seems completely upset. There will be
whispering among the members of the fam
lily, children and servants will be dispatched
to the butchers BAKERS and grocery, and
the housekeeper will worry herself into a
fever. And what is 1t all for? Simply be-
cause an acquaintance has come in to take
a meal with them.
Now, l think there is nothing more fool
sh than this. A wife and mother should
not make such distinction In her mode of
treating strangers, as compared with that
For any food that is suitable to be placed on
her table day after day, is certainly good
enough for unexpected company.
We have always made it a rule in our
home-and happy rule it has proved-to
make little or no change when our friends
come in without notice. We like to have
them drop in and take meal with us, and
spend a little time in pleasant social infer
course, and so, to make them feel welcome
and at home, we never have any confusion
or extra work on their account. If the meal
happens TO be plain one, we act just the
same.
l once went, in company with two or
three others, on a visit in the country. We
were not expected by our country friends.
1t was almost night, and past the usual supper
time when we reached the place. A short
time after our arrival our hostess quietly
left the room, and in a few minutes re
turned and announced that our supper was
waiting. We entered the dining-room,
and on a snowy cloth was loaf Of genuine
brown bread, dish OF fresh, golden butter,
and pitcher Of delicious milk. That was
all. There was not word of apology from
our hostess, but we visitors had a conscious
ness OF what caused our friends plain table,
for it was usually loaded with everything
nice. 1t just happened that all she had
cooked was that loaf of bread. And so, TO
save delaying our supper until late, and to
prevent our feeling that we were causing
HSI much CARA hOIhY sNe very SeuslDly gave
just us what she had. And had she cooked
half the night, she could not have prepared
a supper that would have been enjoyed
more than we enjoyed the bread and milk
The time that most women under the same
circumstances would have spent in prepar-
ing hot supper, our friend spent with US
in social enjoyment.
Every household can keep on hand sup
ply of such things as will prevent all confu-
sion when such an emergency occurs.
Canned fruits and jeliies should never be
allowed to give out. Cooked b9ef, spiccd
and picked in vinegar, can be used at a
minutes notice. A supply of fresh crackers
will always be convenient With such
things on hand, no housekeeper need worry
over what she can get for Der company, and
| the time that she would like to enjoy with
her visitors need not be taken up with cook
ing.-.Cor. Country Gentleman.