The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1899-05-19
Selrrt Mjsrrllu1'l.
Company Manners.

1t was in the intimacy OF mental dis
habille, clothed as to our spirits in cash
mere teagowns, with our luNuriant
tresscs plated down our backs, the
table between us. on which steamed the
refreshing fluid, and plate of little
cakes with raisins in them, that she
gave me the confidence.
"Did l enjoy my visit? | would
have done so if | had not seen the
whole family wither before my eyes
under the strain of my presence.
When | arrived | was greeted by 4
trio of young and blooming women;
when | left | quilted three wrinkled
hags. They evidently had standard
of how they should conduct the affairs
of the household, but it had fallen into
disuse and they were pursued 10y two
dcmons-a consciousness of how thing
ought to be which whipped them to
eXertion, and the ghosts OF habit which
refused to yield to 4 newcomer. In
consequence, when left | felt sure
that one of two things would happen
never again would guest pass week
under their roof, or their whole plan
of living would be remodeled."
The moral of this confession Is cvi-
dent. The hostesses of my friend had
not really believed that one day is as
was so worthy Oh the best Of life as they
themselves. They were aware that
meals should be served in certain
fashion, that regular costume was de
rigueur, that servants and children
must he trained to habits of obedience
and civility, but gradually they had
ceased to enforce these rules: not with
intention, for no man says Il will be
drunkard next week." no woman 'sin
the spring will be a slovcn." but by
rp"atcd carclessness or Incidence, re-
diving the while to start all over 4 gain
when Mary turns out, or John
comes home from college,
EMBARRASSING REV El.AT!oNS
Unlnckily, the standard once fallen,
it is a difficult thing to raise Guests
reveal to us that our everyday man
ncrs leave something to be desired, but
when We would don what is worthy of
them, our manners are like 4 hired
drcsscoat. Not only does the wearcr
know it is for lone night only" but
his se.f-consciousncss makes the fact
evident to all the world. And even if
the hostess is lucky enough to have no
member Of her family of the sex which
is a marplot to ambition, to betray her
with My dear, what is this disl.! We
have never had it before" or" Mamma.
why must dress for dinner; | amt
going to a party?' there is always Il
servant with a dazcd, CLASSY look in
her eyes casting besecchng glanccs for
direction to the head of the table and
telling as plainly as if she shouted it,
This is not the way We do every day;
you are upsetting all your habits.
Mistress is in her company clothes,
the table is set with our company
things, | m on Il strain. she ON Il strain,
and when you 90 we'll fly back like a
stretched India rubber band"
wonder if the good .>nn will permit
its humblest contributor to be cdifying
and say that the impression we make
Oh an outsider is Che very lowest mo-
tive 10 appeal to when we would recon-
mend that the standard be kept up!
The guest for whom we should enter
tain the highest opinion is the spirit
which dwrlls within us 1t is she who
should be laintilV served. treated with
Difference and consideration. The way
10 become a princess is to he convinced