People's voice., 1893-04-28
GENUINE HOSPITALITY.
Hints to Young HousekeeDers About the
Art of Entertaining.

~ A~'hN st-AtiA'ss
i.great deal has been written about
the need Of young houselleepers hoard
ing their means, and the folly OF enter.
tanning too many guests. 1t is perfect.
ly true that a great number Of visitors
may be serious drain on the resources
of family of limited means. 1t is also
equally true that those who do not en-
tertain their friends become narrow
and selfish in their ideas, and that there
is nothing that tends to broaden the
heart and mind so much as genuine dis
interested friendship.
The husband who is jealous of the
attentions which his wife pays to her
girl companions is a despicable and
narrow-minded man. The woman who
grudges her husband the companion
ship Of his friends, and who fails TO
receive them with cordiality when
they are companions worthy Of
him, can not hope to enjoy
her husbands entire confidence. If
be does not bring his friends home it
is likely that he will see them at the
club, or some place away from his
home. There are homes that are un-
worthy the name, mere hostelries on
life's journey, where the sunshine of
true hospitality never comes.
Sometimes spirit of niggardles'
prevents the family from receiving
their friends, but more often it is a
spirit of mean pride, a desire to make a
more lavish display than our means
will permit: There is no hospitality
in display beyond our means And
this deceives no one. least of all our
friends, who are likely to be acquainted
with our means, are likely also. il
sensible persons, to be embarrassed BY
our extravaganza, rather than compli.
mented by it. If we would be
true hosts we must live true lives
day by day, so that we shall not be
ashamed to set plate at our table at
any time for the passing guest. We
must IN the homely old phrase that
has such ring of true hospitality
about it, make our friends at home. g"
In order to do this we need not set up
a gorgeous table and deck cut our
house in rivalry to their own, but re.
ceive them without formality or show,
and with that true hospitality of the
heart which is appreciated by the
genuine and true. Even if we have
only dinner of herbs to offer to our
guest, if it be served in the spirit of
true hospitality it will be better than a
stalled OK, where pride and envy is, and
with them the spirit of contention.
The spirit of the true host is not gov
erned by his wealth. The truest hos
pitality may be found as often in the
simple cottage as in the stately man.
sion. 1t has naught to do with ex.
ternal state. The genuine friend is al
ways the true host, be he poor or rich.
The false and pretentious woman or
man is incapable of true hospitality.
They may dwell in lordly halls and
welcome their friends with baronial
splendor, but the ring of friendship is
not in their voice. They are thinking
more of dazzling their guest with their
own Importance than of ministering TO
his welfare. The true hostess is for.
getful of herself in the care of her
guests, though she never burdens them
with her care She rather sesks to
minister to their needs in so quiet a
manner that they do not feel that they
are the cause of extra trouble.-N. Y.
tribune