The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1868-12-19
Advice to a Young Man.

The following letter was addressed Il
Young man whohad fallen in love will
a girl, and was about start on campaign
against her: :.
MY DEAR FRIEND-Before you be
gin your assaults upon the affections o
Miss Smith, with whom you tell me yor
are In love, let me offer you few words
of counsel. Never be ashamed to take
advice from an olderm man than yourself
Gray hairs bring wisdom, discretion, and
he who with simple reverence heeds the
warnings that fall from aged lips, and
guide his footsteps thereby, will win en-.
during success, and be blessed in genera.
tion. It was venerable white haired
old man who taught me always to 60 it
alone in euchre when I held both bowers
aud the ace, and look at me now! I am
the father of eight children, and owe my
tailor one hundred and seventy-fve dol
lars that L can't pay. Believe me, age
brings with it that experience which time
aleue can supply. .a
US In the first place, my boy, when you
60 ceurting, never start out on the prin-
eiple that you can make good thing of
it by crowding upon the young woman's
parents. Confne yourself strictly to the
offspring. On the same principle, if any
other =, vagabond and foolish youth is
prowling around tryingto walk into that
,woman's holiest emotions, hold yourself
In, no matter. how mad you may feel
about it, and, instead of saying hard
things about him, praise him up as
good fellow, who means well, and at the
same time intimate that you consider
him of not much account in general
way. ,o.....t.' '7
Il She will like J GU for magnanimity, and
despise him because you patronize him,
GfGWomeu are like nightmare: they al
ways 60 by contrsries. ~
Make up your mind to block the little
game Of your rival. Always have en-
eagements a week or two ahead with your
angel. and ask her to 60 to the opera be-
fore the sale of tickets begins.-He, like
the genuine jackass he is, will very like
~ wait until he buys the paste. boards.
Never let him sit you out either.
When you both happen together of an
evening, let him do the most eff the talk
ing at first and about the time his IL |
mited stock of ideas begin to give ont, |
you will come up smiling, and he has
either got to sit there like a lot Of dead
wood, 81 else 60 home. "a ."2@s... .t*. l..
~ If he stays little too late for decen-
cD ges4p and say to him. in a pleasant
voice, II Come, William, it is getting |
late; we had better 60" And he will
rise upand come along, grittipg his teeth
and swearing inwardly at you. ..~-.a.
rGi But you needn't care, for you'll know
ayoa' have soft thing on him.
TTf When yon pop, don't 60 srtaddling a.
round ON The foar on your knees. 1t is
not only ridiculous, but it is destructive
20 trowsers. If she says "yes," you don't
need any instruction. the whole business
is a9 kbaamy 4 Ifshe happens to remark
ssno.a but thinks she can always regard
you as. friend" don't make any obser-
Vations about suicide. No girl was ever
worth going to the cold and silent grave |
for, you know, and you may have the |
chance to sail in again and win,
7 knew man who broached the sub
ject eighteen times to the same girl, and
he. got her at last. |
Never say die. There is no last ditch |
IN love. The case only grows hopeless
when the girl dies. f ~
Never talk to her Of love in q cottage |
Dy -ths sea. Four-story brown stone
houses, with gas, water, with all the mo.
aern conyeniences and a back staircase !