South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-03-28

There IS nothing that so discOn-
certs the average New Yorker as 10
show an out-of-town visitor the sights
OF New York. and then find that the
visitor Is in 10 way impressed.
The stories of the great metropolis
that drift 20 the little western towns
are so exaggerated and highly coIored
that when the villager comes on he is
disappointed. Because whatever he
may see, he expected a great deal
more.
And the New Yorker who proudly
shows him about is both annoyed and
erything and his utter lack of enthu-
siasm.
IN a way Helen had something Of
this experience when she took Mrs.
Griffin TO "A matinee "A few days AFTER
she had called.
But Mrs Grifin's lack Of enthusi-
asm was not because she had expect
I'd "A great deal more but only because
she was pathetcally listless and indif-
ferent. PROFESSIONALLY she was home
sick. Her heart was not in New York
or in any Of its sights.
Helen soon discovered this. and her
ready sympathy went out TO the simple
home-loving little woman who cared
nothing for the luxurious hotel where
her husband had chosen TO stop, nor
for the great shops at which his wealth
enabled him to buy without limit.
ShOpped But Once.
She said she had been shopping only
once, for the crowded stores and va
riety Of goods merely bewildered her.
And Helen promised To- go with her
some afternoon.
James wants me TO get some
clothes while I'm here. but I don't
know what 70 get" she admitted pa
thetically
As they left the theater and walked
couple OF blocks to the fashionable
restaurant where Helen had thought
II would be interesting to have tea,
she found that Mrs. Griffin really was
timiC about crossing the streets.
She seemed confused by the mass OF
traffic and was plainly relieved when
they were safely seated in a palm
screened corner OF the tea room.
IT was a most attractive room. The
solidness Of the pale green and white
decorations was softened by the pink
shaded lights and the vase of pink
carnations on each table. II was the
hour when afternoon tea" was at its
height. and the pOmpOUs head
walters we're finding it difficult to seat
all the people An orchestra was
playing softly and the murmurOus buzz
of conversation mingled with the mu-
sic.
While Helen ordered the tea and
toasted mullins. Mrs. Griffin looked
around at the many richly gowned
women who filled the tables But
there wa9 little interest in her gaze.
When do you expect TO return %
asked Helen for want of something
else 70 say.
IT had hoped we would start Tues
day" and there was a wistful note in
her voice. But now James says he
Ia 20 90 N#N lr.rs
week"
BewiIdered By City.
Then I'm afraid New York doesn't
appeal 10 you" smiled Helen. IF after
only a week you're anxious to get
away"
Il think it bewilders me. I can't
get used TO the rush and noise. It
seems to me that everyone has worked
themselves up TO a feverish pitch for
which they must relax the next mo-
ment, but they never do"
NO. L suppose New Workers never
really do relax" unused Helen. when
my mother was here she said it SEEM
ed To her that every one had been de
layed somewhere and was hurrying TO
make up for lost time"
Yes. that's how IL impressed me.
Perhaps If / were younger / could get
into the spirit of things more. nut
now there was culver in her
but Mr.. Griffin seems so much in
terested in the city" murmured Helen,
not knowing what TO say.
"Oh. YES. James loves excitement.
And he is interested in everything. I
suppose I ought to try 10 keep up with
things more-just for his sake. But
somehow I can't.
That's another reason why I'm
anxious 20 get back-because James
seems farther away from me here. At
home. while he has other interests.
still we have the interest of the home
together. But here we haven't any
thing he doesn't tell me about the
things hes doing here. because he
knows I wouldn't understand. Oh.
wish I hadn't always given all my
time 20 the home and the children; if
only I had spent some Of il keeping in
touch with things,"
Too Late, She Says.
But can't YOU do that now?" asked
Helen eagerly. You have so much
time and every opportunity"
Mrs. Griffin shook her head. NO.
it's too late now, I couldn't if I tried
I haven't the incentive any more. And
hes gone too far beyond me- could
never catch upIt's the money" sadly.
of James hadn't made so much money
we'd be much nearer together now. 1t
isn't his fault. He wanted me To go 20
places and do things with him. but 1
was always too busy taking care OF the
house and children. Now the chill
dren are grown up-and the house.
well. we have so many servants now
there isn't very much left for me to
do"
Then suddenly realizing how much
she had said. she flushed slightly.
Il don't know why I'm saying all
this. I'm afraid it's being alone so
much in that hotel that has made me
morbid"
But just here the waiter came up
with the tea and Helen was snarad n