The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-03-20
HOSPITALITY N THE SOUTH.
THE OLD FASHIONED COURTESY
STILL RETAINED IN DISTRICTS.
6uessS Who Have the Freedom OF
the House for Years-No Perun-
larry CONFEDERATION Affects the

The brother. whose home was In q dis
tant city and whom she had not seen
fer months. was the sort of person likely
20 be an acquisition TO any company. but
his coming would have upset things, and
social mechanism must run without fric-
ton. In conservative regions down South.
where up-to-date social regulations have
hot yet penetrated. this brother and sister
episode would read like a fairy tale. Not
for an hour. nor for minute, could he
be permitted to SO to hotel while his
sisters roof was within reach. Hospital
ity N Dixie Is OF the old-time stamp: and
people down in that innocent region still
Inconvenience themselves for one another
and go out Of the way 10 be accommo-
dating and friendly. and go on doing fool
ish and out-of-date things. just as II the
new code did not exist. AS to the eti-
quetie Of making and receiving visits ii is
yet considered a gross breach OF hos
pitality 10 allude. ever so remotely. TO the
expiration Of a guests stay. Once under
the roof, to all intents and purposes the
visitor might be going to remain forever,
so far a. outward appearances 60 Not
w;thstanding that the hostess might be
anxious to learn Of her visitors plans In
this regard the date FOR the termination
OF the visit is shrouded in mystery until
accident discloses II.
Not long ago visitor at a South Car
the next plantation.
"Cn which side Of the house is Mrs. S.
related?" the stranger asked. referring
TO woman she met there.
oh she isn't related at all; she's a Wis
itor.' was the reply Don't you think
her lovely? And the way she manages
those boys of hers Is a marvel"
"A vis.tor? Why. I'm sure she referred
10 some function that they all attended
eighteen months ago, and remarked how
much she enjoyed it,
Yes. doubtless she did. expect It's
nearly two years since she came was the
answer.
Two years seems a long time for hos
pitality to stretch over but visits are on
record Of nine or ten years duration and
longer. and people speno the entire win
ter or summer with each other, or else
go for the spring or autumn. Young
women, particularly those freed from
school restrictions and not having yet as
sumed sterner duties. stay months at a
time with their favorite chums. II Is no
infrequent thing for a whole family OF
city dwelers to shut up house and depart.
dogs and all. to some island or inland plan
tation for the holiday season.
In some respects the code made to fit
modern exigencies is less hearty than the
old code which wasn't made to fit any
thing at an Modern people never think
| OF inviting guest whom they cannot
entertain so comfortably or lavishiy as
they themselves have been entertained.
| 1t would do away with all the pleasure
OF personal intercourse should there be
any difference in appointments. Where
simpler manners and customs still OBJ
tain ian area rapidly growing less) this
phase of the matter, is never thought of.
1.-THE best we have IS at your disposal
be 1t what it may. What you may be
vC+A 81 A~I- re 1nt Jy,
life, doesn't count. We would set before
you something from our own larder, have
you rest under our roof and break bread
with us as token Of favor II any
body ever stopped to analyze the old
school hospitality, this sentiment would
be found at bottom. pervading all the
people. from the well-off to the baekw Gods
tenant. hard pressed TO make both ends
meet. Indeed. all unconscious,y. the YER
lest cornfield negro cherishes the reflex
of the same idea, and would scorn TO be-
grudge the best his cabin affords, whether
the recipient be in need or the reverse.
The heartiness of hospitality extended by
| people In humble circumstances al tho
. South is remarkable.
| Hospitality Is extended and accepted rs
| matter of course down South. Occa-
sio1ally one hears Of wife disag:ee.ng
with her husband because he brings too
many friends home to dinner, but IL sell
| dom results In separation or divorce pro-
ceedings. because very likely the wife
knows that the husband is helpless to
control this .nfirmity of bis and can no
more help asking a man 10 dinner than
he can help getting wet when cut in the
rain without an umbrella. AS for stand
by, chronic visitors. their name is legion
throughout the country.
us that lady your great-aunt?" was
asked of young girl in city home.
The woman In question wore a cap. and
was altogether too cid TO be a simple
aunt.
"Oh. no. she's no relation to u.s." was
the answer; but she was my grandmoth-
er's friend, and has always lived with my
mother
wen. the other la. whom you call
Miss Caroline. Is she related TO you?"
NO; but she was my aunt's sister-in-
law-my aunt George, you know. who
d,ed-and she has always lived with us
since I can remember
How many people in your mothers
household are not OF the family?'
Nobody else except Paul" was the
answer. Paul was Uncle Johns wifes
nephew. and she took him to live with
her. you know. and after her death mother
had him come here
And these connections In law and by
courtesy are all downright root and
branch members Of the family: not one
boards: not one s asked 20 board or offers
to board. They share and share alike in
whatever they have. and IL they happen
to have nothing. as in the case of the
grandmother's friend and the aunt's sis
ter-in-law, why. provision must be made
for them somehow. Their having nothing
is not their fault; indeed. II is not a fault
at all. To be disagreeab!e or evil-tem-
pered or ill-hred would be a fault that
might challenge criticism, but not 70 be
poor. But then. you see, this article Is
written concerning a stretch OF country
and a people and environment that are very
| far from the ordinary run OF things.
Directions could he given exactly how 10
get there and view their primitive dis
interestedness and oid-fashioned cour-
.esy 4 courtesy that has stood many
shocks and upheayals and never swerved.
They would be delighted 20 SEE YOU IL
you went properly recommended. and In
| ths spontaneous. genial atmosphere. the
plain appointment Of their homes would
take en- look of luxury. the simple
service seem all that ceuid be desired
and you would experience warm feeling
about the region OF the heart, as though