The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1900-09-07
BoARD1NG-HoUsE CoURTsH1P,

Girls who board in the same house
regard one another as mortal enemies
and, when congregating for an atter-tea
talk invariably select the prettiest OF
the tribe for ruthless cross-fire of re-
I marks she dares not take offence at.
Her faults and bad temper are aired for
the edifcation of the dapper clerk, who
is apparently being won by her attract
i've ways; the said young man at once
receiving all statements with credulity
worthy of the varies infant and con-
graduating himself on his escape from
| being married to a termagant.
OF course, during this exchange of
condolences, the pretty girl isn't within
+ earshot. She is upstairs making herself
radiant for the caller who is to face
the clearinghouse "liGe-up,' Along
! toward s o'clock some of the men muir
muir about engagements and steal away
as if responsible to the entire household
for their goings and comings And
after their departure the remaining
I ones-generally women-l1gure on the
probable destinations, with a sprinkling
Of appropriate sneers about the differ
ent girls certain of the male boarders
are known TO rush"
In the midst of the excitement at
tendant on such guesses the caller is
ushured in, and each person present
takes a mental inventory of his hair
and eyes. cut Of clothes, height, size
and possible financial status.
If he is ordinary looking, the unani-
nous opinion is that the new boarder
cant be much, for she has such COM
mon company" while if he bear all the
hallmarks of good breeding and exclu-
sive society, they at once conclude she
! Is associating with persons above her
own station. Every face expresses such
evident interest in the caller and his
| potential mission that what has former
| ly seemed to him only a friendly visit
develops suddenly into a meeting
! fraught with most significant import.
Sometimes a member of the family cir
Gle ventures an exchange of pleasant
ries with the caller, informing him,
with that dangerously ingenious air of
candor that would deceive the wisest
that she hopes he won't have long to
wait Miss Blank seems 10 be rather
deliberate about getting dressed; but
that she is probably tired at night, and
doesn't feel like fixing in hurry"
Which the young man obediently swal-
loves, and feels like a veritable fend
to keep Miss Blank out of bed when
she would probably rather be sleeping.
incidentally, he registers a vow to call
only at inffequent intervals, on account
of her desire for rest. and the girl never
knows what caused such cessation of
former visits
When she finally sails into the midst
of the gazing boarders and fidgety
young man, the other women give a
desparng glance at her beauty, and
prepare to leave her in possession; but
rot in that clever manner by which
members of private households manage
to give the impression that the really
have duties elsewhere That would de-
stroy the keen delight of annoying the
pretty girl So they all stand up as If
moved by a common impulse and begin
sliding toward the door with a We
know-she- viii be-angry-if-we stay" ex-
preston occupying prominent position
on their faces that gives any novice the
idea he has been talked over at dinner
by the girl so as to convey the impress
sion he is more than n friend. The
boarders count on just such a conclu-
sion, and realize exultingly that such
significant action is enough to make
a bashful man take safety in flight or
a thoughtful man reflective.
The evident weight attached by them
to merely formal call nips in the bud
what might have been a full blown
courtship under more congenial condi-
lions, and the gin writhes with morti-
fication at what her intuition perceives
is a plot to be revenged on her supe-
rior good looks After the last strag-
gler has departed there is time for but
a few commonplaces before somebody's
young hopeful notes the open door and
strolls in TO inquire for mamma.
That neglectful parent has gone for
ride with a crony, and the child is salts
fled to remain in the parlor until bed
time. The girl can't object, and yet
she knows the caller is thinking most
uncomplimentary thoughts of her sur
roundings.
During the eventful evening some
amable but tactless old lady starts to
enter the room and ten backs hastily
out apologizing as she goes. She has
broken up more matches than even the
boarding house child, so it is affirmed,
but is really the least Intentionally
harmful of the assembly.
BY this time the caller has despaired
of peaceful conversation, and settles
back to wait further developments.
Doors are slammed and locked with
that suggestveness of bed time exas-
perating to a caller. and persons filed
with friendly curiosity find it necessary
to make frequent errands past the par
lor door, Presently the light is turned
dim in the hall as a hint that gas must
not be wasted, and the old maid of the
establishment begs pardon and intrudes
for a book she hasn't left on the piano.
Even the young man sees through this
subterfuge, and, if the girl could only
forget her sense of constraint would
have jolly evening, despite obstacles
But she remembers the volly of chaff
she will have to receive next morning
from the breakfasteFs, and imagines
that keen though often kindly eyes are
noting her efforts at entertaining, and
certain inhospitable stiffness creeps
Into her manner She finds herself
answering at random, whereas she was
formerly considered brilliant at repair
tee, and the ca Her is DDyZIed and dis