The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1897-10-22

or when the dinner-hour was imminent,
that daughter picked up the first collar
or belt she could lay her hands on and
donned it as readily as if it were her
own. 1t did not improve the case that
the borrower was quite willing for the
same liberties to be taken with her
own belongings. And l could not but
perceive that the larger part of the
family jars occurring in this amiablc
household were traceable to the bor-
rowing habit, Yet they thought that
not to lend and borrow freely was
evidence of selfishness and restriction
upon the privilege and right of relation
ship and friendship.
'Oue day. however, had the chance
Of getting in a good word with Kate,
the elder daughter, which eventually
cured her of the borrowing habit. An
exquisite gown had come home for her:
II had been spread out upon the bed,
and the mother and family had been
called in and allowed to look upon its
beauties Rates sweetheart was COM
ing next day. and this gown was to de-
light his eyes when she appeared before
him in it. While she was out walking
the unexpected happened, and her lover
arrived day ahead of time. He went
after her, met her, and the two walked
home together, and, as 1T was the din
ner hour, straight on into the dining
room, expecting to make apologies to
the mother for lack of preparation. In
that dining-room what sight should
overwhelm Kate, but that of Maud, her
younger sister. sitting at the table,
arrayed in all the glory of the new
gown! Maud's beloved had come and
she, too, had coveted to appear in new
and wonderful apparel. You see, Kate
she said alphabetically, 4 didn't know
you were expecting Herbert. l didn't
know at all what you had>this gown for
you didn't tell me. And 1 didn't
think you would care-I thought you
would be glad under the circumstances
for me to take it. Nobody told me
Herbert was here. Jack came, and
hadn't thought about anything else.
And everybody-you, too, Kate-has
worn my clothes until they are pulled
all out of shape; and came in here to
look for something to wear, and you
were out. and had to take the gown
without consulting you. l had no
doubt but it would be all right
"'I believe said Kate to me after
dinner, your way of not borrowing nor
lending is best-although, at times,
have thought it was a dreadfully self
| ish way
''Then l found time for the lesson.
| My DEAR said l. the spirit which is
back of the freedom with which you
lend and borrow with each other. is so
beautiful that hardly feel it is for me
to criticise this particular form of its
expression, yet indiscriminate borrow
| ing seems to me communism to the
point of lawlessness. A higher express
sion would be in carefully respecting
the rights and property of each other.
And in the point of convenience, it
would have many advantages over your
present custom. Whenever any of you
want to go out, there is great confusion
here in matching your gowns with the
trimmings which belong with them;
much time is lost. and, as you know
yourself, much composure of spirit.
Your mother, for instance, who does
more lending and less borrowing than
| the rest of you, has become quite dis
couraged in her attempts to go out.
verify, as believe, from the difficulties
which lie in the way of masking a salts
factory toilet in the time at her COM
mand."
81 hadn't thought of it in that way
Kate replied, softly. I believe that
see with you that the less selfish way is
not to borrow. But do not know how |
shall cease to lend
THAT will come of itself. If you
cease to borrow you will soon cease to
lend. People who respect themselves
will not ask it; people who do not re-
spect themselves, you will find courage
to refuse. The question of private. per-
sonal rights, of justice, should come
before that of generosity. There are
times when one should lend, times when
one should borrow. times when one
should give; times, when in our own
interest and in the interest of others.
one should do none of these things.
We should neither give nor lend be-
cause others think we should, but only
US our own will and wisdom direct"
Another woman. who is an authority
on these little things in life which make
people agreeable to one another, said
recently to the writer: 81 should al
ways rather give my things than lend
them. have friend who is dear,
charming woman, but whose visits. !