Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1921-02-03
Relatives
BY CLARA BARTON,
ta. 1891. Western Newspaper Union.j

establishment.
Didn't you hear her intimate that
she'd treat me just like one of the
family?'
isn't that the height of hospitality,
to make guests feel as if they were
at homer
There's no place just like home"
answered Helen ernphaticaliy, "and I'm
rather glad Of it. Who wants to be
treated when She's visiting with that
easy familiarity and the realisms
showered upon relativeT
II haven't done much globe trotting
and my experience has been rather
limited" said Elsie, "but what has
made you so cynical?'
"When | visited my aristecratic cou-
sins the Sterlings, ] was received with
cordial greetings and had visions Of
very gay weekend, until Cousin Jane
announced, Put your wraps and bag
anywhere; the maid is out. / hope
you're not hungry as we have only a
light lunch. We're not going to make
any fuss over you. but treat you just
as though You were one of us
Didn't you have enough to satiate
your hunger?'
Hardly. A simple repast served on
gorgeous dishes is no more sustaining,
even If n butler stands in back of you
and picks up your napkin than If you
are served on premium dishes that
come with a pound of coffee. We were
hardly through when the baby com
menced to whine. Wen have TO stay
erland. said my hostess. The next
hour WAS spent in entertaining the
youngster, who broke my eyeglasses
and then laughed with joy"
81 suppose you had to meet all of
your cousins friends and be on ex-
hlbiton the rest of the time" said
Elsie sympathetically.
NO such luck As the infant could
not be trusted alone he was left in my
charge for the greater part of the af-
ternoon while Mrs Sterling enter
tnned company Upon the departure
of her visitors, my aristocratic cousin
said i'm her most charming manner
Denrie, Mrs. Johnson can't attend the
meeting of the u S. L.. so / have TO
write a paper TO cad In place Of hers.
VIII you assist me? You're SO clever
1t will be real quiet here tonight.
knew you'd prefer spending the eve
ming with us rather than by being
bored by strangers"
How selfish. Didn't you meet any
young men?"
mot that you could notice IT, We
labored over the intricacies of the suf-
frage question until crept to my room
weary with the words, Votes for
Women ringing in my ears Hardly
had | fallen asleep when a laundering
knock at the door awakened me. Has
tily dressing | rushed downstairs to
inquire what the trouble was. My
host accoSted me with a smile We're
early risers.' he said. Usually our
guests have their breakfasts in their
ROOM hut as you're just like one Of
the family, we thought you'd prefer
to Join MS. Didn't YOU rest well? You
look rather tired I assured him |
! felt splendid, and then sat down to
listen to family arguments and com
/ plants about the high cost Of living,
/ eNtrayagant wives and sarcastic re-
marks about husbands who were grow
ing too stout"
] f,t.
| Elsie you're usually 80 tactful ]
presume YOU had eyes that didn't see
and ears that didn't hear family SQUAD.
| bles'
Just So"
did yon 70 motoring often?"
"No, | was compelled to refuse an
invitation rs my cousin said il was SO
| rarely she had anyone whom she could
! trust 20 tell how gown would fit.
| that should 20 with her To the dress
/ maker. DO YOU think it was any great
I pleasure to go 10 the florists ana to
/ the caterers to order flowers and
/ French pastry for dinner To be given
I after ! LETT"
AT amy rte you didn't have any
I expense said practical Elsie.
you forget the tips for the sery-
I ants. and the presents for the children.
I Then Mrs Sterling forgot her gold
bag and had to borrow mine, saying.
There's no one I'd rather ask than
I YOU Evidently five dollars Is mere
( tritlr TO her. for she didn't return the
/ money left I'm It and never had The
/ courage tn give her gentle reminder
4 That evening I was requested 70 show
the cook how 10 make n fiSh timbale
With mushrooms
Ibid they compliment you on your
f culinary ahnity?'
+ Not nearly as much As they he
moaned the fact that I burnt one nf
/ the cooks favorite pans. and that she
threatened 10 leave because strangers
came into her kitchen
IBID you remain louCg" Interrupted
Elsie In a sympathetic tone
TOO long I was persuaded 10 tele-
graph Carl that # was an utter inn
/ possibility for me to keep theater
engagement with him"
"WhyT
How could | refuse my cousin after
all her SindnesS to me. when she had
such a had headache and I was the