The progressive farmer., 1901-08-13
WOrnan's Work.
sELF-INvITED GUESTS.

relatives that we are glad to enter
tain, there are few of us who do not
know what it is to be called upon to
entertain people from the city who
only come to see MS because we live
in the country, and they want some
where to go.
have in mind two families who
live together, and son. The
sons wife had been sick for some
time, and was just able to be about
again. There were several little
children, requiring much care, and
the mother -in-law was nearly worn
out with the double amount of work
which she had to do. A young lady
friend, living in the city, had a Wis
itor from another city whom she de-
oided to entertain by taking to the
country to spend a week, and with
out invitation she brought her to
this home.
In an adjoining neighborhood, a
similar case occurred. Two young
ladies wrote to an acquaintance, say
ing that they wished to visit the
country, and asking if it would be
convenient for them to come for a
week. The reply was this: 1--WE are
haying, and building a barn, and
We have many workmen, making
fifteen in our family. have so much
work to do, in consequence, that I
could not possibly do anything to
entertain you" By return post
there came letter, saying, "We will
arrive Thursday night. We can en-
tertain ourselves" They brought
lawn tennis outfit, made themselves
agreeable to the men-folks, enjoyed
the cool places in the house and on
the porch, and exclaimed over the
delights of living in the country.
They returned home rested, leaving
mother and daughters, who had
been obliged to toll all day long over
the hot stove, feeling anything but
rested.
I know of a case where family Of
four came for a weeks visit, after
being told that it would be most in.
convenient to have them that week,
as the housewife was painting, paper
ing and house cleaning without help.
They did not hesitate to make their
wishes known as to what they wished
to eat, where they wanted to go, and
how they wished to be entertained,
and they returned home offended
because things had not turned out as
they thought they would.
l know a number of instances
where city folks have written to
friends or relatives in the country,
saying: "The children need little
country air during vacation, and we
have decided to send them to you.
Please meet them at the station on
such a day" So they send them,
without asking or caring whether
they are wanted, and trusting that
they will not be sent home so long
as they are willing to stay.
One may like so entertain, but
summer is busy time on a farm,
indoors and out, and most women
have all they can do in hot weather
without taking care of company.
It does seem as if the farmers wife
ought to be considered. City rela-
tives have no business to ask per-
mission to come out visiting during
the summer time. They should
wait to be invited or stay at home.
There are many overworked women
on the farms who cannot say E'No"
in response to letters from city
friends inviting themselves to a
rest on the farm they meekly SUBJ
NIT, hoping the Lord will give them
strength to get through with it. AS
rule, the people, who invite them
selves to spend week on the farm
are not those who will entertain you
tor a week in the city. Indeed,
they will not offer you one meal if
they can get out OF it. I once met a
woman whom had entertained for
a week, and who, when she chanced
to meet me in the city, said, not with
enthutiasm "You must come to
see me before you go back. Can't
you come for dinner or tea, to NOR
.ow?' felt that I ought to reply,
''I will go right home with you now,
stay all night, and all day to NOR
row" In that way, should have
had twenty-four hours of entertain
ment % in payment for the week s
board I had given herself and family.
Aunt Nell, in the Housekeeper.