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Show THE COMPANION'S TASK By LAURA A. SMITH but one course of study, I would take that of trained nursing. Ono whom I consider an Ideal companlou took this training. She Is a woman of much personal charm, she dresses In white Indoors and is always exquisitely neat. She takes her time off regularly and keeps up with her own friends. She returns bringing news of the outer world, so she la doubly welcome. She treats her patrons. Mrs. X,, as wc treat a much-loved child. If Mrs. X. grows drowsy during a call, Mrs. R. never buwls out: "Now, Mrs. X., you must lie down and take your nap; you are nodding." Instead, she quietly takes the visitor to look at books, a nictnro Mary'a example If you are a companion. com-panion. I do not recommend a young girl's acting as companion to tho aged or afflicted. af-flicted. Tho effect on her owu llfo will be too depressing. Age forgcta Its own youth and frets at tho display of youthful spirits. There Is likely to be friction, for it Is very hard to 60 subdue sub-due one's spirits and eDergy to suit thoso of the enfeebled. Doing a companion com-panion for this class suits tho mature, K' ttlcd woman much better than it does tho young ghl. Do not gain an idea from this practical advice, Intended Intend-ed to help the youog girl 6ee-king to becomo a companion, that I do not lovo' old people. I would rather work among them and help them than any other class of persons, except of course little children. Sinriino- "PhrL-tm r',n- tne visitor to look at books, a picture or the garden, returning at the right moment, so Mrs. X. never feel3 chagrined or hurt. Another companion whom I consider a success lives with Mrs. A., a masterful tyrant in her own household, but all charity and good works outside. There Is an adult daughter of undeveloped Intellect In this household, which makes Miss S.'s work the harder. The latter is a quiet, decided little woman, with lino business busi-ness and executive ability. The family fam-ily depends entirely upon her Judg-1 ment In Kpr-ln:r hnt Mi-a A r.f 1 I can conceive of no work more try- lng than thai of being a companion. Ye I know it appeals to many wom-eu wom-eu of refined tastes who shrink from going out and battling with the world. It gives a homo nnd a life apart from business. Tho compuuloniould know how to sew and mend. Sho should l.now enough about nursing to supplement supple-ment the work of doctor and trained nurse; she should know dietary and hygiene, and she should know how to give her surroundings a little artistic, homey touch. Have you not se-eu an Invalid lying with shades up and crooked, and everything in tho room IwlBted and awry? And have yon not seen a ministering angel s'.lp in, quietly lower the shades, straighten Ihluys out, put fresh flowers about and change the whole surfaco of things? Somo persons anticipate our wishes and some have to bo reminded and Implored until wo lo'jo heart. The keynote to being a good companion Is to anticipate antici-pate the patron's wi?h. The truo companion should cultivate a gentle, reOued voice and manner. She should guard against disagreeable personal per-sonal habits suuililng, breatblug loud, nervous twitching of limbs of body. Sho should bo exquisitely neat In person per-son and have a delicate touch. One ot tho very grandest and most solf-sccrl-ficing women of my acquaintance is also ono of the most uncleanly In drcs and person. Hundreds of poor and aged and piinoneis call her bless- d, tor she works day and night In their behalf, be-half, yet her co-workers shrink from her touch, she is so markedly dirty in dress and person. Another worthy .woman repels where sho would iutetr-cst, iutetr-cst, because she has a high-pitched, penetrating voice aud scolds and commands, com-mands, where a drop of the oil of courtesy and diplomacy would win her cause. Any woman must remember how large a part tho person and tho circus play In working success. The Super-Sensltlvo Girl. While tho companion SuO .Id have patience, tendorness and sympathy, blie should not bo o cr-sensitlvc. Sho should know how aud when to efface herself. Sho mutt remember that sho i:j not a keeper, anil that her patron may sometimes wish to entertain a visitor in private. Quite the funniest visits I make are to a friend whoso companlou, Mary, must always bo invited in-vited to join us whilo wo that uud dine, ""' nil conversation - must bo explained to Mary, I have never been there yet that Mary has not taken umbrage um-brage and ciled or sulked in her room and spoiled our visit. There Becms to bo no help for It. Is It not Billy ? I seo rny friend but onco a jcar, and then only for a few hours, and why should Mary's super-sensitlvenoss be humored? Do not I beg of vou. follow ment In seeing that Mrs. A. does not give too freely to charity. Miss S. Insists In-sists on two vacations a year two weeks nt Chrlstmaa and one month in tho summer.' They part all on edge with each other, but each feels tho lots of the other nnd they meet gladly. glad-ly. Miss S. does It with such dignity that yon never feci called upon to pity her. Thc-no are some of the perquisites her position brings, Sho lives in a homo of taste and luxury, 'travels first-class first-class and stays at tho best hotels. Her patron enjoys the friendship of men nnd women In the highest circles, her library Is one of untold value; In fact, in all things mental nnd physical, the rirujlMrkn la cxi (Hv1 . cuildrcn. SturUng a "Christmas Cheor fe.r tho Old Foils'" fund and supplying supply-ing them with Christmas baskets, coal and a summer outtug. was the most enjoyable work I recall. When I have Umo and money, the dear old people will be my favo; ito charity. Must Play Her Part. I believe, a companion must play well tier part, just uj an actress does. Sho must have or a.-,suruo an Interest In tho ining.? which interest her patron. Sho must learn to he talkative, but not too talkative, and nbovo all not too meek, for who reallv likes or respects , t,JK-meok person? If I were going to ucconie a companion and could aftca |