Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-03-30
THE WAY OF IT.
A Bit Of Pertinent MOraIism on
Stairway FiirtaffOns.
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A Bit Of Pertinent MOraIism ON
stairway FiIrtatiOns.
From the st. Louis Republican.
Some observant jenkins, whose familiar
ity with the subject rather indicates that be
"knows how 1t is himself" contributes to
Washington society journal an emphatic
protest against the practice of late years
grown so much in vogue at parties, among
Iove-lorn SWANS and signing damsels In
fashionable circles, OF rehearsing their
scenes from "Rome and Juliet" on the
stairways. In days gone By, he says, bay
windows were considered the places par
excellence for the enchanting pastime of
Irritation. Now, how changed! Lsce cur
tains hang unmoved in their feecy folds:
damask rolls, in unbroken masses, It's silk
en- waves to the floor; no soft murmurs
steal, in gentle modotones, from the tempt
ing nook: no sudden removals of damask or
lace surprise a flushed cheek, an earring
caught in manly whiskers, or a little hand
clasped closely lin larger one. TheIpoor
little penates of the oriel sing:
"we're lonely now, SO lonely, Lottie.p
And, for final strain, sObblngly sigh:
"Thou wilt come no more, gentle Annie"
No wonder that the enterprise of young
American should have discovered that q
pair of steps were really of more value
| than a mere mode Of reaching the upper
floor of dwelling. For many years a
three-ply or elaborate ladder has been erec-
ted, by the carpenter in most homes for the
palpable means of making connections be-
tween the different stories of domicil. liz
the simplicity of the sold folks they used
these constructions as was suggested to
them they should be; but in the grand
march of improvement the younger gener-
alton has found and demonstrates for them
another use. The idea that such on area
dia should be used to walk upon seems re-
diculous. Our prospective eye sees in the
near distance rope-ladder depending on
the outside from every second and third
story window, to afford llate corners at re-
ceptions, balls and parties means to reach
the dressing rooms, so that the little pleas
antries on the stairs may not be interrupt
rupted by those too sedate to indulge in
them.
or course, the many couples who find
themselves fiattering one another On the
steps and landings had no intention of re-
naming so long as stumbling block to
throw those who had use for them. Oh
no! 1t was not accidental. The stairway
has the magic of the loadstone, and, some
how or other, they steel to it.
Let US suppose tbs case Of the dark-eyed
beauty who has just gotten through the
waltz with the young naval officer. She is
perfectly exhausted with the Boston. Her
escort takes her fan, and by the vigorous
use of his undeveloped muscle, watts from
her face shower of powder. liz affecting
tones she murmurs: "Oh, am so tired"
| The prospective admiral suggests seat in
| the vacant chair by the side of one of the
older generation. Of course, she could
not possibly sit down by that "horrid old
woman
'There is one by your sister,"
"She does not want to see me now, I'm
sure"
All this time the couple are unconscious
| IL moving toward the hall. 1t is found 10
be refreshing and cool. The stupidity of
"Young Neptune" actually suggests chairs,
| but he walks right into the meshes. No
stopis made. The young lady takes the
lead, ascends five or six steps, sinks grace
fully down, is so tired, hopes no one will
come for her to dance, couldn't possibly
take another step, etc. The first parry has
been made, and The actual tactics begin.
Our naval friend takes position one step
below at her side, leans back a little, while
the coy coquette leans forward, and the
tete-G-tete is fairly inaugurated.- We don't
pretend to hear what follows, the voices
are generally 80 low, unless one or both are
flirting, to try its effect upon soma one else
within hearing.
Ladies are cute enough to take the upp er
step; they cannot look up and firt near SO
well as they can look down. Meanwhile the
lace handkerchief Is toyed with, the lady's
glove removed, her ring placed on her fin
ger with wish, engagements are being
made for a week ahead, and as they are be-
ing noted down stupid people want to go
| home, and must use the steps for their de-
signed purpose, and like group of surpris.
edpigeons, pell-mell rush is made to clear
the landings. Over twenty couples en- eV-
| cry flight have been engaged in the DANCE r
GUS amusement.
Now, be it known that we do not object
to firtations. We have been guilty of the
practice, and stand ready to renew it when
suspicious opportunities present them
selves. We know of nothing more exhil-
arating than young couple attempting to
find, by means of The slow drag. net, how
much they really do admire one another.
limo spirit of reprosch do We write. We
merely want to make suggestions. Let us
presume, then, that those of more matured
years and gravity have rights. Our recol-
lections is that Webster says something af-
ter the fashion that pair of stairs is "a
series of steps TO make ascent easy" Now,
our fathers and mothers have implicit con-
fidence in Webster, and have good cause to
feel chsgrined because the younger men,
bers of the human family have seen fit to
give it more modern adsptstion-nCt only
that, more modern use, as can be a.tested
by many Of our fashionable ladies who
have entertained friends during the season
about closing.
If the next social season is to renew the
flirtations on the stairway, committees
should be appointed to decide, with some
competent architect, upon plans that afford
better fscilties than the old-fashioaed land
ings now in use. After all arrangements
have been made to provide suitable accom-
modatiens, cards might be Issued some
what similar to this:
Mr.. and Mis-