A Russian Banquet
General Bauer, of the Russian cavalry, had in early life wandered off in the army, and the family supposed he was dead. After he gained a fortune he encamped one day in Husam, his native place, and made a banquet, and among the great military men who were to dine, he invited a plain miller and his wife, who lived near by, and who, affrighted, came, fearing some harm would be done them. The miller and his wife were placed one on each side of the general at the table. The general asked the miller all about his family, and the miller said that he had two brothers and a sister. “No other brothers?” “My younger brother went off with the army many years ago, and no doubt was long ago killed.” Then the general said: “Soldiers, I am this man’s younger brother whom he thought was dead.” And how loud was the cheer, and how warm was the embrace!
Brother and sister, you need as much of an introduction to each other as they did. You do not know each other. You think your brother is grouty and cross and queer, and he thinks you are selfish and proud and unlovely. Both wrong! That brother will be a prince in some woman’s eyes, and that sister a queen in the estimation of some man. That brother is a magnificent fellow, and that sister is a morning in June. Come, let me introduce you: “Moses, this is Miriam.” “Miriam, this is Moses.” Add seventy-five per cent to your present appreciation of each other, and when you kiss good-morning; do not stick up your cold cheek, wet from the recent washing, as though you hated to touch each other’s lips in affectionate caress. Let it have all the fondness and cordiality of a loving sister’s kiss.