The Washington herald., 1908-03-15

gel Meadow and the man from every
where, were thrown much together and
me story ended as such stories invariably
end up 10 date-they have lived happily,
and she is most acceptable at the court
where the husband is now stationed. So
the husband is one Of the few who de-
clareS himself delighted with the present
fashion OF entertaining and maintains
that the only perfect hostess is the one
who pays no attention to her guests.
However. the testimony OF a lover in
matters that concern his own romance is
OF no value
1t is no compliment TO invite a person
TO your house unless you intend to devote
both time and attention to his entertain
ment: otherwise II would he as well TO
pay his board at some hotel A hostess
should look we'll to the comfort OF her
guests. and provide not only for their
physical being. but for their entertain
ment, and should offer pabulum for the
soul as We'll as food for the body. A
guest. on arriving. should be met at the
station by some member Of the family
that he has come TO visit, and, already In
the station, should be made 10 feel how
welcome he is and with what pleasure
his coming has been anticipated Whether
he is taken to the house in a machine.
brougham. a hired cab, or street car
makes bot little difference; il is the well
come that counts. and all arrangements
concerning his reception should be made
Tor his convenience and 10 his taste IN
Whatever style the hostess can afford.
EVERY one who entertains in the country
has trap of some kind but in town.
especially where long distances are To be
traversed. as in New York. a street car
IS often more convenient than any other
vehicle
On reaching the house. the guest should
be allowed 70 remove the stains OF travel
before he Is presented to the other men,
0ers OF the family and his feIlow-guests.
If the family is wealthy. a valet attends
MN. or at least offers his services and
II is a wise man who refuses them. for
strange servant is apt 10 complicate
matters and mix up a mans wardrobe
50 that he can find nothing when he next
goes 10 dress. A practical and world
famous physician, who invariably carried
a bag Of instruments with him. in case
or an emergency call when on a visit 70
q wealthy friend In Bar Harbor thought
leSsly surrendered his trunk KEY 10 the
valet. and, on returning to his room.
found an array of genealogical instru-
ments laid out in orderly array as one
aTranges toilet articles. on his dresser.
He demanded his key forthwith. and
since that one occasion has insisted unon
valeting himself when visiting 3 wom-
an, however, travelling without a maid.
needs the service OF one. for if she laws
any claim 10 being fashionable il is a
real labor TO pack and unpack her trunks.
boxes, and bags. hang up her dresses.
keep the trees in her shoes and attend 10
other little essentials Many wealthy
women carry their maids with them. but
this is great nuisance, when one only
goes for day or two, both for guest and
hostess, and IL is much better to depend
upon the maid one finds in the house and
give her a substantial fee on leaving.
a guest chamber is the expression Of
the hostess taste and may mean much or
little, but whether it is beautiful or plain. |
1t should be comfortable and all the
wants Of the person who Is to occupy il !
anticipated. The room should. above ali.
be bright and CHEEKY. and besides the bed
and dresser and chairs, which belong 10
what was once called the set" should
contain a night table properly furnished
with candle and matches. pitcher for
drinking water and glass. and something
20 read, new book or the latest maga-
zines This night table. which is an insti-
tuition in Europe. is rarely found here.
for there are the gas or electric lights
that can be instantly turned on there is
water on the wash stand. and a book can
be placed on chair; but no one who has
not become accustomed to a night table
can appreciate what delight and com
fort it t. TO have what is necessary di- /
rectly at hand. A couch. a chaise lounge |
or sofa. with pillows and a light. warm
woOlea spread should be provided for the
afternoon nap OF the occupant. so that
the bed need not be dismantled. and
there should be a practical writing table, |
not jiggly little desk that a pun of |
wind might blow over, but strong. sub
stantial table or desk. holding a blotting |
pad. fresh ink in a convenient ink stand, |
not a fancy piece of bric-a-brac; pens Of |
various styles. pencils, pad for memo |
randa, and paper. both with and without |
the house stamp. and a box OF stamps Of |
various denominations This latter pro- /
vision is sometimes resented by the mex
perienced. If he has a New England con- |
eat his friends salt. precludes him from |
accepting stamps: but he can follow the |
example Of Mrs. LeCks and Mrs Aleshine |
who. il Will be remembered when, after
their shipwreCk. they occupied the desert |
ed house on the deserted island deposit |
ed the money for their board-there be- |
ing no one TO receive it-in a china vase
on the mantel, and put in pennies for the |
value of stamps taken out. If a bath /
room adJoins the guest chamber. a wash /
stand IS unnecessary; otherwise too much |
care cannot be taken in furnishing one. |
The bowl should be large and deep. there /
should be an abundance of cold water |
provided, and every morning at a stated |
time the maid should bring a pail of hot
water; there should be towels. fine and
coarse. and soap, both scented and un-
scented Some hOstesses have tooth
brushes In the original packages placed
on shelf above the stand in case the
toilet bag may not arrive on time or be
altogether lost. The dresser should hold
an emergency comb and brush and the
other articles necessary for a woman's
toilet. Nothing has been said about the
style of furnishing, for that depends en-
tirely upon the preference Of the hostess:
but the main idea should be comfort and
utility in such room. from which sense
less bric-a-brac, painted tides. and all
like rubbish should be ruthlessIy han
ished- There should be nothing on the
bed. washstand, or dresser that cannot
be laundered, and there should be several
sets of the covers for these pieces of fur
niture in the linen closet. so that they
may be frequently changed and kept In a
state of immaculate cleanliness.
Unless ne arrives at mealtime. a guest
should be offered some refreshment for
travel generally brings an annette and