The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1872-05-03

PERT YOUNG LADIES.


young lady-ss they say in . certain class
Of sdvertisement-she will most probably
do one Of two things. She may purse
up her lips with contemplated the er-
preston Is not altogether unbecoming-
or sbe may give vent to an ejaculation Of
indignation ct the editor Of = journal dar-
ing TO make an attempt 10 criticise the
class 10 which she belongs. She is Ger
tain to think The editsrs very rude man,
who ought, on the earliest opportunity,
10 have . serious talking 10. For, %
cording TO her gospel, young ladies are
above criticism. She dos not like those
papers which print caricstures Of the let
ters she writes 10 her friends. She objscts
to see the eccentrically-chosen sdjective
put In italics, and all her pet phrases
held up to public ridicule. She thinks
that Il IL extremely wicked and unkind
to do this. But she does not, for one
moment, feel that she ought TO mend her
ways, to act ssnsibly, drc~ sensibly, and
talk like reasonable woman. She can
not give up her long string of adjectivcs,
or use them with any regard for their
meaning. She must continue to ape in.
dividuality Of style, and kind of femi-
nine humor; try to he lively, piquant,
and witty. What is the resultf
We have-in our minds eye-a num-
Der Of letters which are characteristics Of
their authors. The writer's must excuse
us If We venture to quote from them.
Number one speaks Of q tradesman who
has neglected TO send home some article
to the disappointment Of the fair writer
as THAT wretched Smith, and proceeds
to state "that she thought she should
have died of disappointment through the
horrid creatures neglect" Number two
is lawfully miserable because she can't
go to a party, through a horrid cold,
which makes her look quite hideous y
Number three "is sure we will be sur
prised to hear that horrid fright--is is
engaged at last! Though" she adds,
"she ought to be, after tie fearful way in
which she has been going on!" Number
four remarks that "such a load has been
taken of her mind" what caused the
load TO remain there, it would hardly b
worth while TO inform our readers. No
doubt all this sort Of thing is intended Ia
serve the place Of wit and humor, even
IL il is not so considered by the writer,
themselves. But il Is not at all funny
quite the reverse. 1t merely indicates
that the writers possess, in addition "a
ignorance, great conceit. The old-fash.
ioned letters, which commenced with 81
hope this will find you ss well - it leaves
me- were bad enough, but the letter oi
the pert young lady Is ten times worse,
and will incline ono IN form . more un.
favorable opinion Of the writer.
Follow pert young ladies where you
like-into the ballroom. sitting-room,
the street-and you will find them the
same, Aippant and conceited. Do they
ever meet without unfavorably criticisina
some one, Watch and listen to . bevy
Of them talking together, and what will
you hearf Why, that some one ID fright
full, somebody else awful" and snothel
person "such bore" One sis 50 very
spoony,' another $50 rude" and . third
''silly." They speak contemptuously Of
learning, and all that is akin 10 it. Has
a man any physical def0rmity, dos he
stammer in HIS speech, Is he eccentric in
dress, and at once he is selected as . vic.
tim for them to direct their shafts at. Hs
is fair game for their witty u sallies. q
fit object to be laughed at. If he sses
them giggling, and half divinss the causs
Of their merriment, all the better. They,
at any rate, will make but halfhearted
attempt to disguise from him that such h
the case. Let one. BY slip. offend any
of the couventionaltie imposed by society,
and what a penalty he has to payl fOr
there is no mercy for him, Of al people
in the world.
See them talking to anybody who b
old and wise. How very smart, how
very humorous. how very quizzical they
are; how pleased IL they can. by some
semi-impadent remark. discompose . phi
losopher or a politician, who has too
great compassion upon their weaknssl
and their ignorance TO snub them n they
deserve 10 he snubbedl With what gusto
they relate to admiriug friends how they
succeeded in doing so, and with what unc-
ton they dilate upon the victims puzzled
expression at their humble endssvorsl
And well he might be puzzled.
The attitude adopted by the pert young
lady to all the opposite sex, is halfde6ant,
halfffiendly. She rs much rs says, ''sd-
mire me and Hatter me. or secure my un-
dying enmity. But. II you do admire,
and wish to retain my friendship, you
must be content TO be the object Of con
slant ridicule on my part, to which, how
ever. you are in honor bound not to re-
taliate."
Whenever = pert young lady Is in tho
company Of others. she is certain 10 have
some butt. some special object Of derision.
Her conversation Is always neaninglsss.
unless she is laughingly spssring 81 some
one. shs never gOss 10 ball without
coming home aud dubbing some Of her