The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-04-19

island We finally selected an apartment
within a block and a half of Fifth avenue,
for which contracted to pay SIS a month.
Il notice that the fellow who has 70 run
into debt on, SO week pays only SIS
month. IT. had the difference between
his rent and mine. I'd give him and his
wife a box party every once in while.
sOur home is fairly we'll furnished, but
there's nothing pretentious about II. We've
no white and gold ballroom. but there's
we have plenty Of books in the ref
erence library and we always have on
hand fair stock Of the books of the year.
Besides. you'll always find magazines
and picture papers on the reading table
to amuse you. IL you happen TO call on
the mistress Of the shanty on a day which
isn't the one she has scheduled as her day
at home. Besides. we have a few good
pictures; no art gallery, mind you. but
first proof here and there that's worth
looking at.
so much for the home and its appoint
ments. Two servants keep il in order,
and they get their wages promptly each
month. What each gets is my business.
but when tell you that one il a good cook
and a fair waitress, while the other is an
excellent house maid and the best nurse
for the best youngster that ever lived,
anybody who has ever hired servants in
New York can get some idea Of what we
have to pay. ,..-
-On the day we were married my wife
and laid down rule which We have fol-
lowed ever since. IL was this: Cut other
corners II necessary, but don't skimp the
table. We concluded that the best food
was poor enough. and that, by serving
only that kind, we'd save doctors bills.
IF you come to dine with us, you'd get
soup. fish and q roast of some sort, more
toothsome than which you'd not find In
New York, with at least two vegetables,
and occasionally dessert, with coffee
that Is coffee at the end, followed by a
ten-cent cigar. a cigarette or a pipe, II
you prefer IL. But you won't get any
wine. beer or other spirituous liquor, not
If you were the Gar of all the Russias or
the Ahkoond of Swat. l have no objec-
wife has. and that settlee it.
This may be considered plain living.
and so II Is. But it's the kind We like,
and what is good enough for US Is good
enough for any guest We may have.
The table china il delicate and the silver
doesn't need 70 be replated. It's the real
thing. A well-set table and a well-served
dinner are more satisfactory appetizer
than a cocktail. Since my wife bjects 10
my taking the latter she Is very particular
about my having the former.
In the matter of entertaining, We don't
do much, largely because We regard the
proposition of entertaining in a seVen-ioom
hat a. highly absurd. The woman who
goes to the average afternoon tea of the
average fiat dweller and the man who togs
up for euchre or whist ia New York fat
and imagines that he il having a devil OF
a time. are only fooling themselves.
As we don't go in for attempts at enter
tainment, 40 we don't accept hospitality
in kind. We give no dinner parties, but
our friends drop IN to dine with us, and we
dine with them. Now and then hear of a
dove luncheon and all about the cooling
that was done thereat when l go home to
dinner
I'm the way OF amusement, we see what
ever we think would please US at the theatre.
going to a playho on an average OF about
once a month. The street cars do us very
well as means OF transportation. and the
best restaurants are not half 40 allurinp
a. the anticipated delight of rummaging
through the refrigerator and pantry when
we get home. Therefore, the after-theatre
supper is home-brewed.
-My wife goes TO such lectures through
the winter as she wants TO hear, ana she is a
member, l believe, Of a library OF two.
Then, when winter is over and real. sure
enough warm weather sets In. she and the
toddler are OF to the country for about
five months, one Of which spend with them
il I'm lucky enough to get vacation OF
four weeks.
AS for my own particular, private fun,
larly and whose privileges l enjoy Scca-
sionaliy. II Is not the Union or the Metro
politan, but II il a good enough organiza-
ton TO have a waiting list that takes about
two years to get TO the top OF L..
1T took me that long, and when L. got in
! found men Of brains, standing and sub-
stance to greet me. think It In one Of the
best and most useful clubs in town.
.Of course. people outside the tropics
must wear clothes. and we follow the general
into many details about my wife's outfit,
except to say that have always regarded
her as one of the best dressed women in
New York.
Il should say, AT . venture. that she has