The Columbus dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 19??-1922, 1921-03-06
Relatives
By CLARA BARTON



"Helen. how dared yon refuse Mrs.
Smiths Invitation In such an ungra-
clous, abrupt mannerl" asked Elsie in
astonishment.
didn't you hear her intimate that
she'd treat me just like one of the
familyT
isn't that the height of hospitality,
to make guests feel as II they were
at homer"
There's no place just like home
answered Helen emphatlcally, "and Tn
rather glad of 1t. Who wants to be
treated when she's visiting with that
easy familiarity and the realisms
showered upon relative?"
II haven't done much globe trotting
and my experience has been rather
limited" said Elsie, but what has
made you so cynlcal?'
"When | visited my arlstocratlc 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. I"
Didn't you have enough to satiate
your hunger?"
Hardly. A simple repast served on
gorgeous dishes Is no more sustaining,
even If butler stands in back of you
and picks up your napkin, than IL you
are served on premium dishes that
come with pound of coffee We were
hardly through when the baby com
menced to whine. Wen have to stay
with her while the nurse goes on an
errand,' 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-
hibitior the rest Of the time" said
Elsie sympathetlcally
"No such luck. AS the infant could
not be trusted alone he was left in my
charge for the greater part OF the af-
fernoon while Mrs. Sterling enter
tanned company. Upon the departure
of her visitors, my aristocratlc cousin
said Ii. her most charming manner,
Dearie, Mrs. johnson can't attend the
meeting of the y. S. L., so l have to
write a paper to read In place of hers.
VIII you assist me? You're so clever.
II 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 menu"
"Not that you could notice it. We
lnbored over the in'rlcacies Of the suf-
frage question ants Tcrept to my room
weary with the words, Votes for
Women ringing Ia my ears. Hardly
had fallen asleep when a laundering
knock at the door awakened me. Has
lily dressing I rushed downstairs to
inquire what the trouble was. My
host accosted me with smile. We're
ealsy risers,, he said. Usually our
guests have their breakfasts In their
room. but as you're just like one Of
the family, we thought you'd prefer
to Join us. Didn't you rest well? You
look rather tired | assured him !
felt splendid, AVID then sat down to
listen TO family arguments and COM
plants about the high cost of living,
extravagant wives, and sarcastic re-
marks about husbands who were grow
ing too stout"
"I,nther interesting" commented
Elsie. "Youre usually so tactful ]
presume you had eyes that didn't see
and ears that didn't hear family squad.
bles."
"Just So
did you go motoring often?"
mo. | was compelled to refuse an
invitation as my cousin said II was SO
rarely she had anyone whom she could
trust to tell how q gown would flt,
that should 20 with her to the dress
maker. Do you think II was any great
pleasure to go to the florists and TO
the caterers TO order flowers and
French pastry for dinner to be given
after l leftT'
AT any rate, you didn't have any
expense" said practical Elsie.
"You forget the tips for the serv-
ants, and the presents for the children.
Then Mrs. Sterling forgot her gold
bag and had to borrow mine, saying,
There's no one I'd rather ask than
you Evidently five dollars is a mere
trifle to her, for she didn't return the
money l left In II and | never had the
courage to give her gentle reminder.
That evening was requested to show
the cook how 10 make fish timbale
with mushrooms"
did they compliment you on your
culinary abillty?"
"Not nearly as much MS. they be-
moaned the fact that ! burnt one of
the cooks favorite pans, and that she
threatened to leave because strangers
came into her Kitchen"
did you remain long?' interrupted
| Elsie IN svmnafhettc tonn