The Washington herald., 1907-11-12
FROM WOMAN'S
POINT OF VIE w

Courtesy Of the old-fashioned variety
is still TO be met in quiet districts where
life is really enjoyed in a rational way.
as | had cause TO learn one day last
spring. In a neighborhood OF fine old
mansions and families like them in dig
nifty and refinement was a household new
to the place and not prepared TO meet
more cordiality than exists in apartment
houses A colored chore man. familiar
with the neighborhOod, was engaged to
beat the rugs. and the owner, thinking
that he had the use of some vacant lot
for the purpose left him to his work and
went on a shopping tour.
After three hours absence she returned
10 a sight she will never forget There
were two men in khaki vigorously apply
ing beaters to string OF rugs. covering
the lawns Of three estates. and there was
a familiar look to them that ought 10
have prepared her for the truth. Yet she
reached her own front door before she
realized that she was guilty of trespass
Of an unusual kind. even though II had
been committed through an outside agent.
jasper she gasped. when she had
mastered the situation. I'VE do hot own
the whole street NO. ma'am,r he an
swered calmly. Il asked permission 10
use the lawns" The woman, TOO amazed
for further speech. looked at the house,
noted the closed windows on the front,
and wondered at the good nature OF fam
ilies who had shown evidence of pride in
their grounds by keeping them in perfect
condition. yet consented TO lend them for
rug beating purposes to accommodate a
neighbOr. She promptly decided that
apologies and explanations were in order
and these were so beautifully received
that she had to admit that never before
had she realized the true meaning Of
courtesy.
At small gathering the other even
ing Southern gentleman unconsciously
rebuked a thoughtless group by following
his hostess and another guest. who were
to favor the company with music. The
host showed his breeding by remaining
n the next room with the few who did
not take the trouble 90 show appreciation
Of efforts TO entertain them by moving
from their comfortable seats. Eventually
they all drifted 10 the music room be
cause one or two felt the SOutherner's re-
buke and followed him after some hesi-
tatiOn.
Busy people think they have no time
10 cultivate the niceties Of life. but the
few who are noted for courtesy and tact
are not indolent, for Incidence and bust
ness success do not affiliate. 1t may
take some little time 10 be kind and con-
| siderate. but many courtesieS do not even
demand that sacrifice. ! have never con-
quered an antipathy for an editor who
/ received me in his shirt sleeves. made
ne look at his back tin he chose to face
me, and did not even ask me to sit dur
/ ing the interview. Yet I went 10 him
/ by an appointment he made and became
! a member of his staff before / left the
room. ] remained with his paper for sew
/ eral months and became his neighbor by
| making my home across the street OF
which he lived.
/ I have met the man socially time.
since then. but his pleasant manner ha,
/ never eradcated my first impression ot
/ him. 4 gentleman at heart would hav,
I treated young woman courteousll
wherever he met her and never hav,
/ thought that he was lowering his dig
nifty by so doing. This man evidently
/ drew "a sharp line between women n,
met in a social way and those he hired
even though there was no difference II
1 education, refinement. and home sur
( roundings. In sharp contrast 20 hin
was another editor with whom I deal
later on. a man OF polish and dignity
who won allegiance by his persoualit,
and manner Of treatment given TO hi
employees i'm and out of the Office. Thi
man has friends when he needs them
and the other receives no pleasant word
from those who have had a business ex
peTience with him.
BETTY BRADEEN.