CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL                      BETTY SANDERS                                                                  Eng. 6, II                                                                  March 18, 1931                                FAMILY GATHERINGS      Perhaps you are one of the poor unfortunates who have not been reared in the midst of surging relatives. I can only express deepest sympathy for you, for you have missed one of the most pleasant occurrences in the human existence, the family gathering.      The method of getting the most out of family gatherings is in itself an art. There is nothing of especial interest at first. The women will take possession of the living room to discuss, well, in spite of all the times I have listened, I cannot remember what they do discuss. The younger generation cousins will retire to the drawing room from which, in the course of the evening, unholy screams will issue. You musn't blame them. They consider relative-visiting a poisonous bore and are trying to pretend they are home. It'll be a few years before they appreciate the pastime. Meanwhile on the porch the men will gather and settle the problems of the world with that dear masculine precision. In a half hour they will have worked out the answers to one or two perplexing questions that have baffled the political and ethical worlds for centuries. With that customary carelessness of details, however, they have completely forgotten to provide a means of sending their decision about tariff to President Hoover.      This is no place for you though. Rather now is the time to retire upstairs if you have a good book waiting or to help with the refreshments if you are needed. This preliminary discussion hour is merely a form in the gathering of the clan. It is not the purpose of the visit, and they know it. What relatives are for is - well, you shall see. Refreshments are served. A pleasant contentment and joviality spreads over all. At last comes the big moment.      Father clears his throat and says to Uncle Bill, "Remember that green apple fight we had with the Seventh Street gang?"      They are off. Tale follows tale, boyhood experiences, working experiences, humorous, pathetic, thrilling. All your favorite stories are told, stories you were brought up with, stories that never grow tiresome. To be among your own people, with your own brand of humor!!! Can you think of anything more pleasant? It is a form of conceit, I realize, to be thus so dependent, but I can find nowhere a more satisfying pastime than spending the evening among my relatives.        The end.