Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-05-03
Some Queries Require Diplomacy.


Some Queries Require Diplomacy.
Some difficulty has been experienced in
the matter of getting the ages of mem
bers of families. more especially where
there are young women to be enumer-
ated. members of the fair sex displaying
a willingness to discuss any question
but that one.
You know explained an enumeration.
discussing his work, there are so many
girls who want to appear older than they
are. and so many older ones who want
to appear younger than they are. that it
IS not always an easy matter To get at
the truth. and it requires a little diplo-
macy In order to get information enough
to complete the record
Ringing the bell at the house of a res
ident of the northwest section. the emu
merator was greeted by young woman
whose appearance indicated she had cos
TUNED herself for a society function
III disturb you for only minute or
two" said the policeman. alphabetically
Il never get disturbed" was the sur
prising statement of the young lady. DO
you want to inquire about the dog tag?
II that Is what you want you need not
bother, for Petite has his tag and collar"
Policeman Explains.
But" explained the young policeman,
displaying signs Of Nervousness. that is
not what l want. / want
Nobody here to arrest interrupted
the young lady. Il know, you're the
census taker and I just am not going to
tell you my age
Don't get disturbed about that"
counseled the policeman. II am not going
to ask your age. All | want to know is
IL you are between fifteen and twenty
or
Il said nothing ever disturbed me-
said the representative Of the fair SEX
but | confess this age business is dis
turbing. You see all the young men
know are trying to learn my age, and
II l were to tell them it might mean
great deal to me some day.
Some would be surprised she added,
and some would be disappointed. and
what a mix-up might follow. so I will
have to tell you what / tell the others
can you guess?"
1t was truly a game of peek-a- boo
that one of the enumerators had to play
with a spinster the other day. Seated
near a front window looking between the
lace curtains was the woman OF the
house.
L always prefer to meet the man of
the house." the enumerator said, but
they are not always to be found during
the day. and l have to do the best l
can
A disappearing figure was seen back of
the curtains the enumerator approach
ed the house carrying his writing ma
terial. He thought a ready response
would be made and that he would be en-
abled to get his data and depart without
delay. The ringing of the door bell
brought no response, however, but it did
bring the spinsters figure to an upper
window.
Refuses to Hear" the Bell.
The curtain was drawn back only far
enough for the one behind the curtain to
get a glimpse of the man at the door,
but she remained only long enough for
the one glimpse. Finally. after the police
man had tapped on the window and had
jingled the bell several times. he gave up
the task and went to the adjoining house.
From between the same curtains he
saw the spinster watching him as he
talked with the neighbor, apparently en-
joying a pleasant conversation, and the
spinsters curiosity got the better of her.
Were you at my house a few minutes
ago?" she called from an upper window
as the policeman walked down the path
way recording his figures.
Il was" he smiled. land if ii is not too
much trouble / would like to speak with
you.
When the spinster came out to the door
the reason for the delay was appa rent.
She had waited long enough to give her