The Washington herald., 1908-03-19
FROM WOMAN'S
POINT OF VIEW

II we did not think il necessary 20
make so many extra preparations for
guests we would not have so few or dread
their coming. 1t is presumed that we OBJ
serve all the nicetes in our daily living,
that the table linen is whole and clean,
the silver and glass shining. and the
china supply sufficient TO cover the needs
of one or two additions to the family
circle. so the only thing TO really consid-
er is the food question.
Here is the rock on which we split. It
Is not in accordance with the principles
OF economy TO prepare more than the
family needs at any one meal. bat It is
the part OF wisdom 20 have supplies on
which TO draw Any housewife worth
the name keeps a store of timed articles,
paper boxes containing fancy crackers
and cakes. and jars Of preserves. with
milk. eggs, and butter. tea. coffee, and
cocoa. A plentiful meal could be pre-
pared from this store at short order. and
the family meal eked out TO cover an
extra guest or two with a creditable
showing
1t is token of friendship to ask
guest 10 share the family meal with
whatever shortcomings 1t may possess.
and make no apologies for anything
l have enjoyed a multitude Of such IA
vors and never failed to contrast them
with the elaborate affairs which l felt
had taxed the brain and purse of host
esses who considered it necessary to stuff
me with unusual dishes. The really hos
pitable host or hostess Is immensely
popular. as one man has discovered TO
his discomfort. He has been the pos
SCISSOR Of an artistic little suite Of rooms
in which he regaled a large circle OF
friends with dishes of his own cooking.
and novelties without number.
As he happens TO be hard-working
professional man the strain OF perpetual
excitement and late hours has begun 10
tell upon his health. and his physician
has put an end to that sort Of life by or
dering him into one room in a quiet
house, where he is to be allowed 10 rest
and regain his health. So you see hospi-
tality can be overdone. l have known
unpretentious families TO spend on one
company dinner enough money to cover
the family living for a week. and then
have to pinch for several weeks to even
up matters. Had the guests dreamed OF
such q state they would not have found
much enjoyment in their entertainment.
used TO have as neighbOrs a family
whose income had been cut down by
business reverses. EconOmiZe they did
on all occasions. save that OF entertain
ing relatives and friends at table, and
after I had been invited TO luncheon on
a day when 1 had expected TO be out Of
town and could have nothing 10 eat in
my own house. ] understood that hos
pitallty added but little 10 the living ex-
penses. The family was large and the
food supplies were purchased I'm quantity
One or two extra persons made no differ
ence in the cooking. and even when there
were more the meal was no more elab-
crate than usual Everything was pal
atabie and the welcome one found at the
table was sufficient 70 make one forget
to be over-iastidious I remembered aft
erward that l ate a kind OF meat which
1 never provide az home or eat from
choice anywhere else, and l enjoyed Il,
too. That is the best tribute I could pay
to my hostess. l am thinking.
BETTY BRADEEN.