St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1911-02-25
IUCILE'S
DIARY


When learned last week that Miss
Van Rensselaer, of New York was WIS.,
iting Mary Townsend decided to give
bridge luncheon in her honor.
I'VE needn't have a caterer" / said
to mother, who, as usual, objected on
the score of expense. to my entertain
ing. II wish to have just quiet, In
formal little affair and I really think
that Cousin Fannie's delicious cooking
Is more elegant than anything we
could get from caterer
But Fannie intended going out TO
your Uncle Johns this week" protest.
ed mother. 81 suppose could get up
the lunch myself"
Indeed, you couldn't" I replied. i
want you to be dressed In your gray
satin and help me receive and enter
tain the guests, as good form dictates
that a mother should Cousin Fannie
won't in the least mind postponing her
visit to the farm. She wouldn't be so
selfish as to go when we need her SO
much at home, would you, dear Cou-
sin Fannie?" l asked, as she entered
the room where mother and were
talking. !
Although mother protested that she
must not change her plans for u.s.
Cousin Fannie, after / had told her
| how much l disliked having mother
cook-for 1t always makes her so I'M
becomingly hot and flustered-said she
would give up her trip to Uncle Johns
| place for the present.
l really felt that I had done her
good turn by inducing her to stay at
home, for 1t must be dreary in the
country now.
AS soon rs had set the day for the
party and had telephoned my invita-
lions | went out to Frances Mars
denis, for in looking over the linen for
the luncheon a happy idea had oc.
Cured to me.
Il happen to remember" I said to
Frances, that you have some hand
some napkins, which match our tulip
| pattern tablecloth. wonder II you will
lend them to me for little bridge
luncheon I am going to give for Miss
Van Rensselaer,"
ooh, are you going to entertain for,
herr" asked Frances. "Of course, you
may take the napkins I'll be glad to
help you in any way | can. shall be
SO pleased to meet Miss Van Renssa-
laer, for I've heard she is most inter-
esting"
can't understand why Frances
| 10 oc FRA e.
sumo that she was to be invited. IT.
was very awkward for me to have to
explain that was asking only girls.
Her manner of staring at me In cold
surprise did not make 1t any easier for
me-.
"But, DEAR" said, in conclusion. III
any one of the girls can't come I'll
make an exception and have you, even
If you are married.
That's remarkably kind Of you. Luz
cile," she answered, "but now that
think of it I'm quite certain l shall be
engaged on the day of your luncheon.
Here are the napkins. I'm sure that
don't have to tell you that / am very
choice of my best linen, which was
part of my wedding outfit"
"I shall take the best possible care
of them" rejoined, pleasantly, though
I did think it rather unmannerly OF her
to remind me to be careful Of things
that I borrowed Poor Frances Is oc-
casionally crude in some Of the little
things of life that really count SO
much.
Lucille" demonstrated mother when
I showed her the napkins, why did
YOU get these? Ours are good enough,
even If they don't match the cloth, and
I'm sure that lilly can never iron
these to suit Mrs. Marsden, who is
very fastidious."
Now, mother, please don't borrow
trouble about that, for shall take all
the respor sibility," said, in the gen.
tie reassuring tone that I am cultiva-
ting.
"surely you don't think you can iron
them yourself" said mother.
Gust leave the matter to me-" l
smiled In answer.
The morning after the luncheon,
which was completely successful, 1
sent the napkins to a steam laundry
with fathers shirts and collars. When
thew came back Saturday took them
right over to Frances. who united the
package at once.
why, Lucille, what's this?" she
asked. in a Mortified tone. They have
ink marks on them!"
was much surprised to see IA
theirs three initials printed in indelible
ink on each napkin.
ooh. dear!" said. "How absurd of
those laundry people! never thought
of their doing such thing. How very
annoying"
Annoying! should say it is an
moving" snapped Frances, fairly glar-
ing me over the napkins.
She appeared so frightfully upset
that I thought she would be better
alone, so I quickly took my leave. She
scarcely looked up as I said good-by.
What mistake It is for people to
make such tragedies of the small mis-
haps Of life! I think it indicates a
narrow nature. 1t certainly shows a
sad lack of poise.