San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-02-11

when he returned that he found nothing in
the north so cold as the manner of some par
venu hostesses. In view of my own ex-
periences don't doubt it.
GIVEN A BACK SEAT.
"Why, / went to report ball once, and
when | asked the hostess politely for what
she was willing to have said about the en-
tertainment she turned on me with a stony
stare. l think there was steely glitter in
her eyes, too, but III not be positive about
that. Then her uose turned up so high that
it got lost in her bangs, and she made some
remark about impudent reporters. l stood
it for q moment and then | rushed madly
forth into the cold and cherries night and
threw myself into snowdrift to thaw out.
And do you know it was so warm, compar-
actively, that it blistered my skin"
what did she dog'
"She sent six servants out to catch me for
fear L might escape without an account of
her ball"
Are you often treated that way?"
"By parvenues almost invariably"
"And othersF'
20, if l wanted to be personal could give
you list of some Of the acknowledged lead
ers of society who are never anything but
courteous You can generally tell one who
is sure Of her social position from one who is
not. You see, my boy, here am Ia society
reporter. l am told to go and report Mrs.
Smiths ball, and I've got to do it | don't
go there for pleasure, and have no designs
On her spoons, nor am begging for something
20 eat Then why not treat me courteouslyl
Echo can't answer at all. The nearest echo
ever came to answering was to intimate that
there was a lack Of breeding somewhere
What's the use of snubbing a fellow simply
because you have q chancea | heard host
eSs once say to her servant: John, give this
man Somo refreshment.' What right had she
to treat me like beggar simply because
had asked for some details of her entertain
mentt l went to her in the line Of my bust
ness; didn't go to dine.
"Ah, well, this world is made up of strange
people, and some of the oldest are in the
society swim | always think that the woman
who Is not quite sure of her position is the
one who Is always trying to make others feel
that they are her interiors Let me give you
an illustration. The office was requested once
to send man to little entertainment and
got the job. AS it was necessary for me to be
there some little time l put on my dress suit.
The hostess was receiving when | arrived
She offered me her hand, but naturally didn't
recognize me, so | introduced myself.
"'I am from the - said.
"Quick a flash the outstretched hand
passed by me to the gentleman behind, and
she said:
You'll find a seat near the back of the
room
WAS that action called forG was not an
intruder. had been asked to come
JUST LIKE OTHER PEOPLE
But the best part of the affair came after
wards. A prominent society woman was
standing near the door, and | think she saw
what happened. l knew her slightly, hav-
ing interviewed her on society matters sew
eral times. Well, the moment had passed
the hostess she spoke to me, called me by
name, and chatted with me for several mo,
mentS."
"Weur'
"Well, do you know I've noticed one curl
GUS thing: society reporter is just as fond
of being treated courteously as any one else
1t seems strange, ! know, but I'm convinced
that it's true In fact, I'm satisfied the so
ciety reporter is built on much the same plan
as the rest of humanity, and feels an insult
or slight just as keenly Odd, isn't itf'
Indeed it is l never would have sus
pected it."
T. ;,
I'm inclined to think, can't say No court
eously. Their only way of doing it is to show
you the door with some insulting remark, al.
though you may have been as courteous as
you please I've noticed another strange
thing, too: A reporter doesn't go to house
for his own amusement"
SIS that realsy so?'
Eyes; I'm quite positive of it. never
knew Of q case where he went merely out of
vulgar curiosity"
MOP
''No; he goes generally to satisfy the curl
osity and sometimes the vanity of Others
But the hostess seldom thinks so. She seems
to think that he comes simply from boorish
desire to intrude. If he were living in idle
ness on an allowance from his father, she
would treat him graciously, but because he is
earning his own living she cannot even be
courteous sometimes"
What is the best way to do society report
ing"
My way, whenever it is possible, is to 90
either before or after an entertainment
when the hostess is at liberty. OF course,
she can't leave when she is receiving her
guests, and sometimes, even when she is
willing to give the details, she has no one
to send to give them to me. A hostess
may desire to be as gracious as you please,
but she can't leave her guests because a re
porter is at the door. But if they would all
do as one know of did once society report
ing would be simple, and we could call any
time She had all the details that she was
willing to give printed in manifold on a type