Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1858-09-01
BY JENNY WOODBINE.

A bold assertion know. Already I see
Theodore Augustus sharpening his wits, and
pen to 'take me down" for saying so; and his
argument will be that women are more prone
to this evil than men. Well,
Suppose We hirt-I own We do,
We learned the art from such as you;
And We, Thcne or you truly love,
Will models Of devotion prove.
No true woman is flirt, until disappointment
makes hcr one and then, losing all faith in
everything, she unwisely determines to make
others suffer for the pang'at her young heart
(Which never more can leave it,
Nature did not make her so-the heart must
first he poisoned by having its affections called
forth; and then thrust back upon itself to with
er, ere she proves false to the dictates of her
womanly nature"
And who is the male flirt Not that lady
killer" whom you meet at Hops, at Commence
ments, and at the Springs; whose polished
cane, faultless collar, spotless shirt bosom, es-
senced handkerchief, curled moustache,
"Luxuriaut hair brushed with great pains,
Covering perhaps a thimble-Iull Of brains"
all proclaim in trumpet tones tic dandy,
"Who is thing that would
Be young lady if it could;
Aud since 1t can't, does all it can.
To show the world it's not man."
Not this young hopeful, who "drves' you
ont Of eveninss-hands tou the stairs-holds
Your parasol gracefnlly-prescnts you with
rose-buds-twirls your fan elegantly-runs for
ices-buys peaches for you on the cars-picks
up your fallen gloye-hands you to your car
riage-and fatters you incessantly, comparing
your eyes to "stars," your hands to " lilies; )"
and your lips to "cleft roscbuds." You accept
his attentions for what they are worth-you
Law no stress on his "hifalutin' compliments; ;
but swallow them as dose, nauseatins at the
time but producing no future bad effect. You
understand him-his arrows fall harmless, and
do not so much as reach your heart. You never
fancy that he is sin love" with you-because
flattcry is lis profession; and you know that in
half an hour he will be saying the same Mi"gs
to Susie Jane, which he has just whispered with
such confidence in your individual car.
This creature should not he called a " frt'
everybody knows him-no body believes him
lie is simply nuisance, and does no real
harm. In fact rather like your lady Killer
-hc has never yet killed anybody; and "rery
uroyuJlyn never will. He is convenient, for he
helps to "kill tmo;'. and while he fancies he
is Staying your heart, is only hel ping to murder
your tedious hours.
But your genuine male firt is not known as
such-"t the insignia Of his profession" are not
written on his brow-he is seldom "a ladies
man :" but goes about his work quietly; keeps
ND his reputation; and is known everywhere as
ga man of honor.' He forms your acquaintance
in some quiet parlor, and marks you for LIS VIC
tim, particularly if you be just out of school,
or fresh from the country. He begins by tel
ling YOU that he detests coquetry in any, and
every phase that he seldom goes among ladies,
because not being able to tlatter them he is not
q fayorite. His attentions arc so delicate, and
vet so marked that your vanity is pleased. lie
spends quiet evening with you, and talks Of
books; lie does not put on your slipper ii 1t
chance to slip off; nor is he everlastngy telling
YOU that you are fairer than the flowers you
wear. No: he understands his business better
than that. lie monopolises your attention-he
cifectualy keeps away all "intruders"-hc does
not visit any and everybody, because that is not
his game. lie plays his card, we'll, fo his object
Is to make you believe that you are all the
world to him. He does not tell you in so many
words that he loves you, but he uses words
which have double meaning, and which you
can take in any sense you please lie talks of
love; reads love poems; signs softly and looks
at you. He marks every frightening OF the
eve; every flushing Of the cheek; every tremor
Of the lip. lie knows exactly Uhat to say, and
how much to say-he never commits himself; and
his tendercst sentences are SO carefully worded
that Paul Pry himself could make nothing Of
them. He teaches you the language of the eyes ;
ond knows exactly when ga shot has told"
Tb;, man would make good surgeon, for he
co,ld look on the dcath-throe5 Of victim un-
moved. lie makes the human heart study,
and knows exactly by the expression of your
eve what emotion is moving you. Wal, weeks
Glide ont is the current report that you are
g engaged :" and what is more he kno'es Il, but
does not scare fig" What is it to him ii he
is keeping away others who would msa" some
thiao. He wells his attentions under the mask
of friendship; and while every moment you are
expecting linn to propose, he "speaks Of the
interest be feel in your welfare" and calls you
b;s friend! When he feels couadent that he has
won your love, he slides away gradually leaving
the atrail of the serpent" over all your flowers
of happiness.