The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-03-26
Of her guests and the fragility Of the ex-
cuses they had offered her.
Test Of True AqreeabIllty.

~ ISSI Ot lTuo <ASC0edDljiSys FL
Out Of the restaurant at last and into
the street we went again, with our card
cases in our hands. We were to call to-
gether a bit and the first drawing-room
we entered was full to overlooking. We
found seat near a quietly dressed, shy,
foreign looking young woman, who evil
IDENTIFY knew no one present but the hos
tess, who was too busily engaged to pay
very much attention to the shrinking lit
tie figure in the corner. My companion
sat down beside her, tho. and made a re-
mark. It concerned the weather. The spin
ster looked a little alarmed and then a
great deal relieved to find that someone,
even an unknown, had come to her rescue.
In five minutes the shy, shabbily dressed
woman had glow in her cheeks and a
happy light in her eyes; she was telling my
friend all about her violin studies. My
friend was not saying a word. She was
all attention, however. She was listen
ing as tho of oil things in this world violin
music interested her most, and then there
was an exchange Of cards, and the musi-
clan proved to be a woman Of worldwide
reputation, who has volunteered to play
at the entertainment to be given shortly
by my most agreeable friend, who would
never have dared to ask so great favor,
and whose fortune is by no means prince
ly enough to afford the big fee that this
mistress Of the violin asks when engaged
thru her manager. !.
But such agreeability Is wonderful
power for purchasing friends and faVors.
AS we went away from that house, we
stopped once or twice and left cards with
messages penciled thereon; at a home
where some member of the family was
slowly recuperating from a long illness.
at another where a new baby had ar
rived, and at third where the owner
was entertaining q house guest
Every card meant kindly thought and
.so 49, I1,4 Iva lass iYNTo ~.
tant attention, land, tho it takes little
time and energy to do it. I try not to let
day pass without remembering that
there is somebody by whom these little
courtesies will be appreciated" said my
friend, as we walked home thru the tW1-
light.
There were guests expected for dinner.
1 knew, and after day full Of consistent
and energetic effort, my hostess was
weary enough But in good time. before
her husbands client and his wife, and a
couple of neighbors, rang her bell, She
was dressed and ready, smiling and ap-
parenty so pleased to play the hostess in
her own well-lighted drawing-room.
She marshalled us into her little din
ing-rOom, where an unmistakable odor OF
too thoroly fried fish hung in the air, and
where the new waitress made blunder
after blunder; where candle shade fell
over with a crash and burnt a big brown
spot in the fine damask CLOTH and where
a clumsy young man finally climaXed it
all by upsetting his glass of claret. 1t
was an hour to try any woman's soul,
but when we were piloted back into the
dra wing-room and coffee was served and
the guests reluctantly rose to go, they
each and every one said that they had
had a pleasant evening with Zest that
did not belle their words.
We had had a good time because our
hostess had let the clumsy young man
apologize and forgiven him quite as if the
little incident with the wine glass was a
sort of gentle joke, and by no means an
accident. With admirable tact she had al
lowed the fustered maid to calm down,
gain her bearings, and eventually the
meal was served very nicely. When the
bouillon came on slightly scorched she
made no excuse, and we drank ours with
out thinking because at the moment our
hostess made our host tell his best new
story, and we were set into roars of
hearty laughter.
What faults there were in the cooking
and serving Of the viands were success
! fully hidden under the hostess charm of
manner; she made herself so agreeable
that we all did our level best in turn If
the wine was weak the wit was strong,
and with something akin to real rever-
ence I realized how, with g. little tact, a
little unselfshness and a little personal
effort, my friend had made rainy day,
full of trying petty duties, small disap-
pointments and unavoidable annoyances
prove one Of the brightest and most sue
cessful and helpful in her life.
! Adelaide Gordon.