The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-09-16
FOR FEMININE READERS
HOSPITALITY EXTENDED IN INFORM
AL AND INEXPENSIVE WAYS.
ations of What the Coming
Fashions VIII Be-Fresb Air the
Best Medicine-Here and There.

Hospitality is one of the primary human
instincts that in these days of hurry-scurry
seems to be in anger OF extinction, says
the Philadelphia North American. 1t is
only a small minority OF the race that does
not find n genuine pleasure in having a
guest by the fireside, simple as that center
OF domestic life may be. Some Of us admit
the stranger within our gates only under
the most formal conditions and at stated
times, but that is no hospitality; neither is
it hospitality to ask a hundred, more or
less, people to rush into our house, nibble
at a few cakes and drink a cup of tea every
other week. All of these things are don
in the name of society, and are as about as
far removed from the seat of hospitality as
the east is from the west.
There is still another class of people WHO
would gladly welcome a few friends to their
houses, but who hesitate to give the most
informal invitation on the grounds that
elaborate entertainments are beyond their
means, and nothing short of such sociabili-
ties is worth bidding people to. Thep,
again. there are those of us, genial and
Hospitality inclined, who are cut off from
little sociabilities by the ex.ctIons of an en-
crossing profession. Giving up the pleas
ures of society is one of the many sacrifices
tId d pIOItSSiOl1i a VI OLldu IL dlAC
upon to make. At the SANE time most of
them have the natural desire for a little
friendly intercourse, which may be accom-
plished without loss of valuable time If the
hours Of relaxation are duly arranged be-
forehand.
A w%ell-known literary man. who has spent
his days in Wall street and devoted his
evenings and holidays to writing for many
years, found it simply Impossible TO stand
the inroads made upon rs tirie iy miscel-
laneous callers. He hit upon the Plan of
staying at home Sunday evenings. This was
very soon understood by his friends and ac-
quaintances, and the result was a series OF
informal and delightful gatherings. Every
one Of note who happened TO be in town
was sure TO put in an appearance, and the
combinations of guests that this dropping
in brought about was always interesting
and often extremely picturesque. There
were no regulations as to clothes. People
came in their travelling toys If those We're
most convenient, While others appeared In
the extreme of formal evening attire II
that pleased them best. The men smoked IN
the library If they wanted TO, and the re-
freshments were invariably small sand
witches of some dainty, appetizing kind, and
perfectly made chocolate.
Some jolly people who live In an apart
ment and dine at a restaurant are also or
the Woodworking professional order, Out
they, too, like to see their friends. AS they
always take their black coree at home,
they soon fell into the habit of asking you
to drop in any evening after z for your
coffee instead of inviting you to call. This
During the : hour from : to 5 there would
be- a regular gathering of the clans IN
the picturesque rooms. 1t was a conven-
for those who lived in the neighborhood and
for others who found 1t a delightful place
in which to stop for half an hour on their
way to fulfilling other engagements. BY
half after s the impromptu guests had dis
appeared. and the hostess was free to give
her time TO her professional work.
AN artist VINO rs invited about constantly
pays her social debts by giving her friends
a standing invitation to her Sunday morn
ing breakfasts. The meal is served at 3
enough to get a bid you may drop in at
any time between Q and II. There are the
usual simple. breakfast dishes, served with
there are golden cream, crisp rolls country
butter and fruit. In addition to these
s1ahdo as y5e 5fece %1e 1e s9He lakes lkeesssiinnawW Winter
cornbread made after a famous Southern
receipt, or any of the other thousand and
one delectable things upon which the good
housekeeper prides herself.
Another family of sociable souls has con-
cluded that 10 o'clock at night is the most
accordingly they have instituted the late
supper as their contribution to informal en-
terta mi sna II d,s the re hostess she na nn9pacaice up If on
the family first, and then treats the supper
guests to a surprise Sometimes her friends
send her curious ana unusuaI compounus;
and these in turn furnish forth the festal
board. 1t has happened more than once
that there was nothing In the house but
bread and cheese, and the last of a case of
English ale, but the guests were warmly
welcomed. and there was as much .Jolity as
a sumptuous feast could have produced. On
ere occasion it was discovered that there
was no cheese for the Welsh rabbit. The
guests promptly rose to the occasion,
formed themselves into a foraging party,
got the cheese and had one of the best rab-
bits II had been their lot to enjoy for some
time.
So. when all is said and done. it is the
warm welcome that constitutes true hospi-
tality. The greatest honor you can do a
friend is to admit him to your family circle.
II that is done freely and graciously you
have offered your best, and that is all any
one can be asked to do. and there is no rea-
son why we should deny ourselves the
pleasures of social intercourse simply be-
cause we have neither the time. the means,
or perhaps the inclination, for formal enter