Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-09-17
UNDESIRABLE FRIENDS.

UNDESIRABLE FRIENDS.
How CITY FOLKS GUARD AGAINST
UNPLEASANT AcoUAlNTANcES.
Notes Of . Homo Circle Conversation.
Taken I'm by q Charming Fellow-A
Nice Looking Couple-An Unsophisti-
Gated view-Notes
Notwithstanding the true American free
dom Of approach and readiness to accept the |
advances Of others which perhaps exists in a |
greater measure in New York than else |
where, there are yet certain bounds of in
timacy which may not be passed until time
has ripened acquaintance into confidential
The man one meets daily at the
office, in the store, on the elevated railroad
or at the club converses freely after intro
duction, and both gives and receives pleasure
by daily talks, but he is not invited to visit
the home circle, nor does he give such an in
vitation until long acquaintance has famili-
arized each party with the circumstances Of
of the others life.
In recent home circle conversation tie
writer asked the question: "How long and
well should one know person before COM
mitting himself to confidential friendshipr
The answers, as was to be expected, were as
different as the natures of those who made
them. ~ can judge man tolerably well at
sight, said an impetuous New Englander,
not yet familiar with metropolitan ways.
.'If he has an honest eye and a good face, is
not marked with rummy nose, and talks
sensibly, | should not be afraid to ask him to
my home. He might turn out badly some
time, and l might be ashamed of having
known him, but that cannot be helped One
never knows the whole Of anybody's life his
tory" There was an ominous pause after
this effusive statement. 1t was not pleasant
to express less generous sentiments, but the
countenances of the auditors showed that
they could not agree with him.
AwFULLY TAKEN IN
"You will find that you cannot go on that
rule here" said one who has lived longer in
this city Il used to feel just that way and
acted accordingly, but now make il rule
never to invite an acquaintance to call until
have known him favorably at lesst three
tuUnluo II diu W
and like his appearance, try to be cordial
to him during that time. Not hearing
anything against him, or seeing any
thing wrong about him, then give him an
invitation. was awfully taken in once by
one of the most charming fellows In the
world He looked like a prince and talked
like an angel, but he is in Canada now and a
bank down town mourns for him anc several
thousand dollars which he stole Since then
have not been hasty in making friends"
Three months is not nearly long enough
said bright, chatty lady, the sister Of well
known clergyman. Ben (her brother and
have to meet all sorts of people in our church
work, and we always wait year. Most of
our friends did so with US and they were
| right, judging by our experiences. One of
| the incest and daintiest of little women moved
| into the flat next to ours soon after brother
| was called here, and told him meant to call
on her. didn't go just then because had to
| go home and take care of mother during a
| sickness One day after l had got back l
happened to pass her door while she was say
| ing good by to a friend, and | heard more
slang words in one minute than in all my
life before. You can guess that l decided
not to make her acquaintance"
| "You were perfectly right in saying that
8 year is not too long" said another lady,
picking up the conversational thread.
When We lived on - street we had for
near neighbors as nice looking couple as
ever were seen. The man went to his bust
ness every morning, and the woman was
singing over her work all day long My hus-
band thought they were nice, and so did l.
but we learned better before long. One
night they had supper party that began at
10 o'clock and ended at daybreak. Every
one must have been drunk, for they sang and
shouted so that nobody else in the house
could get wink of sleep. After that We
beard them scolding each other every night
and at last something exploded like cannon
cracker between them. Both commenced
divorce proceedings, and the wife was turned
ont OF the house because she couldn't pay hel
rent and the husband would not"
INA VERY QUEER WAY.
''No doubt all of you are right from tn,
point of view of personal interest" said tn,
unsophisticated New Englander, who has no
yet realized that personal interest rules th,
best Of US In an inordinate measure "Yo,
have had bad luck, but most people are goot
and well disposed Now, I've just mad
some new friends in a very queer way, and
mean to stick by them until | find they ar
not all right. Last night when l was goinI
up the stairs of my boarding house in m,
usual dumheaded, absent minded style,
turned into the room below mine by mis-
take Thinking, Of course, that l was in m,
own room was dumfounded at its appear
ance, with trunks piled up in the corner an
ladies' dresses hanging in the open closet.
low, sweet female voice struck on my ear q
stood there amazed. There, baby it said
'is papa and before I could turn her arm
were about my neck. Then she saw wha
had happened and accepted my apology
though not very graciously at first. We az
good friends now, l am glad to say, an
laughed over the accident this morning"
A general comparison Of notes was mad
at the end Of this funny story. The concf
sion reached was not perhaps the best, b
most people will think 1t prudent one. A
kinds of people live in this great city. NJ
only are there good angels with good face
and bad angels with bad faces, but there a,
also good men and women whose count
nances would convict them Of any Grim
and evil disposed wretohes who look as
they belonged to heaven rather this
on earth, and who talk as sweetly as If "bu
ter wouldn't melt in their mouthsn Ever
= man and woman rightly limits the list Of i
innate friends to the rule Of congenialit
Well disposed, decent, law abiding peop
very properly avoid those who have not sir
liar virtues. In large city active and sti
ring people meet new acquaintance eve,
day. These ought to be received pleasant
and politely, but may In common fairne
: be compelled to wait until time has Prov
|. their desirability as friends.-New Yo'
\ Press.
The Novelist In Society.
The professional character of French l
erary society makes one Of the chief d
a tinctions between literature In France and