New-York tribune., 1906-12-29
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20 EkS'
THE osLIGlNe PERSON ABROAD.

i've come to the conclusion that it doesn't
pay TO be too Obliging, or, to put it another way.
to give your friends the impression that you
obliging." said a woman who had unpaCked her
trunks after a European trip. Il suppose II was
because I was so enthusiastic last spring about
going again that nothing in connection
with the journey seemed a hardship. So when
first one and then another asked me if I'd per-
form some little commission for them the
other side, I agreed with what must have been
alacrity. for the news of my willingness spread
with lightning rapidity. 1t was. 'Bess says you
are going TO get her two souvenir spoons IN
you to pick up something for at the Rag
Fair? That's where you got that brass lamp
when you were In Rome last Yes. / said.
'Oh. [ don't want a brass lamp. you know
Mabel remarked that would be altogether too
much 10 ask you to bother with. But she said
1t I'm such way that down on my list went,
Lamp; Rag Fair: Mabel Then
wanted a particular photograph from Naples, or
3 bit Of English china, and no fewer than four
people said that a special toilet powder and
perfume to be obtained AZ only shop in
Paris would place them everlastingly In my debt.
The grand total of my promises didn't sweep
over me till the day before l landed at Genoa.
when a sense Of duty compelled me TO consult
the memoranda for my trip. can't express my
emotions but | know exactly how a man feels
the of his failure. when his lia abilities,
naturally are ever so much more than his assets
What had. or, rather. what hadn't my good
nature brought me to? There were in all thirty
three definite commissions, and many more
Of the varying sums of money intrusted to
would make of me peripatetic bookkeeper from
the time of landing till departure. l had a wild
thought Of letting everything go, and my hus-
band encouraged me I'm it. I wish now I had
followed his advice But I didn't. more'S the
pity. It q physical impossibillty to do all
that I had said I would. but I spent hours
enough in making purchases to amount to at
least fortnight out Of the trip. Foolish. wasn't
/? Well. I reasoned II out that the fOolishness
was before l started and that having given
my word. should at any rate, attend TO the
more important matters. At first I tried to
take Il lightly. and So he Il said his everlast-
ing credit. did my husband But patience had
It's limit for both of US I think the most irrI-
tating thing OF all was the discharge OF an obli-
cation TO mail back postcards to a certain col
leCtor OF the peTniclOus things. It wasn't -
bad getting and mailing the cards, it was
keeping track Of what they cost-not that I
cared particularly. but the person who asked me
TO 90 the favor is most methodical, and knew
that half the pleasure of receiving them would
he gone If 7 hadn't a tabulated statement to
give her. As It was. I made up the final state
ment out OF my head on the way home. and
have spent an hour or so since my return in ex-
planning discrepancies.
lust take my advice. and when you're going
abroad, If ane one asks YOU TO buy anything,
no matter what or where. make excuse. OF
course. If you haven't conscience about such
matters. II won't make so much difference. But
with a conscience and numberless commissions
your holiday Will lose half It's charm"