The Ways of Men

s it may appear, many gifted and sensitive mortals have been unable to distinguish one note from an

utation. I knew one of the latter, who, when a friend complimented him on having caught the exact shade of a pink toilet in one o

en lights on the switches combined into a pleasing harmony before the brakeman's eyes. The tone-deaf gentleman who insists on whistling a popular melody is almost as tryin

against is a variety of the genus homo which suffers from "social color-blindness." These well-meaning mortals form one of the hardest trials that society is heir t

nosed, invades all circles, and is, curiously enough, r

, enjoying about the same amount of "unearned increment," yet the atmosphere of their houses is radically different. This contrast cannot be traced to the duln

ne is bored are socially color-blind, as cheerfully unconscious of

ecome more and more apparent, until one is tempted to parody Mme. Roland's dying ex

a third variety apparently keep a debit and credit account with their acquaintances-in books of double

r rooms are filled with a chattering crowd of more or less well-assorted guests; if that is denied them, can find consolation for the

escaping when escape is possible; for he will mate the green youth with the red frump, or like a premature m

ms. One practical lady of my acquaintance asks her guests alphabetically, commencing the season and the first leaf of her visiting list simultaneously and working steadily on through both to "finis." If you are an A, you will meet only A's at her table, with perhaps one or two B's thrown in to fill up; you may sit

te. It is a physical impossibility for him to have more than a passing word with his guests, and ten to one the unaccustomed numbe

d confided to a circle of his friends at the club the scheme his wife, who, though

You'd be surprised," he remarked, with a beaming smile, "what a number refuse; last winter we cancelled all our obligations with two dinners, the flowers and entrées being as fresh on the second evening as the first! It's wonderful!" he remarked in conclusion, "how simple entertai

have placed themselves beyond the social pale, these purblind hosts conceive an affection for and lavish hospitality upon them. If such a host has been fortunate enough to get together a circle of healthy people, yo

ey happen to feel in a good humor or chance to be seated next them at another house,-invitations which the host regrets half an hour later, and would willingly recall. "I can't think why I asked the So-and-sos!" he

mentioned here. The delicate tact that, with no apparent effort, combines congenial elements into a delightful whole is lacking in their compos

into the clutches of old Mr. Boremore will never enter these obtuse entertainers' heads, an

not to know pretty well what the title of this paper means. So many of us have come away from fruitless evenings, gri

would be a much more agreeable place. If people would only learn what they can and what they can't do, and leave the latter fea