The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1899-11-24

eHtIFc aDhtHte VI all UlctHOu III the one
case and the existence of only very Door
method in the other. Take hundred
women who go for days shopping and
it is perfectly safe to say that ninety Of
them will have not the slightest idea Of
what they want"
Dislike of Change-Exaggerati OF
Pol teuess.
AS we become older we become 1uor.
and more creatures of habit, and are
made uncomfortable by any alterations
that interfere with our accustomed ar
rangements.
One of the most marked instances of
this dislike Of change in small things is
the affection we grow TO feel fors and
the dependence we place upon some ia
vOrite chair. AS a consequence ii be
comes ali unwritten law in the house
hold that one particular seat in NAM,
mas, another papa's, and 80 OH.
Not that the owners openly claim
the chairs as a right-that would he to
acknowledge one of the dependencies of
advancing years-but they feel distinctly
aggrieved if their favorite seats are
taken, and are wretched if forced by
conventional politeness TO take another
place for any length Of time.
1t behoov"s young people who visit at
strange houses to remember this l,ecu-
liarity tor infirmty, as they Doubtless
would consider it,. and to take tIUre
pains than they generally do not to
Interfere with the comfort Of the elder
members Of the household. Young folks
are not to AFFECT an exaggerated and Of
ficious poiteness in proffering the best
chairs TO- persons older than them,
selves. That is in bad form. and always
initiates midd1eaged people more or
less; but they should observe where their
elders naturally bestow themselves, and
remember these predictions for future
guidance
Il do not think much of that Miss
Smith that you seem so fond of, Mary
said man advanced in years, address,
ing his granddaughter.
why do YOU not like her, grand
papa!' queried the daughter of the
! house.
II have no special reason" he replied.
"She is simply bad form, that is ALL
suppose she cannot help being common ~
Poor Nellie Smith," said her friend
aftcrward to her mother, ''she just hap
pened to take grandpapa's seat, and
when he came in for afternoon tea he
had to take another. That is the whole
trouble. He liked her very much, but
feel pretty sure be will always object to
her being asked here again.
Speaking of the attitude of eNaggerat-
cd respect which some well-meaning
Young people assume toward their elders.
1t might be well to say word Oh the
subject. The duty and reverence that
enough to define, but the obligation which
young people owe to those who are middle
aged is more difficult to tactfully adjust.
Of late years there has come into fash
Ion sort of exaggerated politenesS
that is almost annoying to the objects of
the attentions.
For instance. if several young persons
arc seated at their cmploymcnts. it may
be we'll that they should rise when an
| older person comes into the room. but
that they should remain standing is abb
SMrd and embarrassing to the newcomer
| w ME the deep courtesy (which. by the
way, Is purely American and not English,
as SO many people SUPPOSE may be all
very. well for small girls, it becomes RI
dlculous when they grow up and put on
long skirts. To feel ones self the OBJ
Ject or these somewhat overStrained
youthful attentions produces in a mid
! dlc-agcd person a disagreeable sensation
quite apart from the bored feeling that
overpoliteness engenders.
Il consider that it is positively insult
ing the way we older girls arc treated
| by those debutanteS, remarked a fash
l"nable young woman Of 80. recently.
| SItaklnS OF tlle younger members or hPr
set who were about to be introduced to
society.
why, I thought they were so won
drrfully we'll ira med" said her compan,
ion. rather surprised at the accusation.
That is Just the tronble.' returned the
other. THAT they should jump up and
open the door for me. or stand aside and
give inc. the precedence. or pick up any.
thing | drop. or. worst of ALL get up and
| stand when | enter room. CRATES ON my
nerves. And as for that ridiculous
courtesy of theirs it seems simply derisive.
! 1t is not that l envy them their bread
and butter youth-far from it-but | do
think they ought to be taught better
manners than to assume that there is
such a vast difference in our ages New
York Tribune.