Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1874-06-04

as IN nearly all the cities, it has be-
come the custom to bring up sons and
daughters almost as widely separated
as If they were wild animals of differ
ent races, which would endanger the
peace of the community if suffered to
meet. Even in the infant schools boys
and girls must occupy opposite sides
of the room, and take their ''recess''
at different hours. If q little boy and
girl-even 4 brother and sister-are
supposed to entertain an affection for
each other, they are Immediately sub
jected to the ridicule of teachers and
older scholars, and who can imagine
an epithet more wounding to the heart
of childhood than that of "girl- boy
or boy girl, with which any of eth
er sex are sure to be taunted, if de
tected in the most innocent action
which would seem to show liking for
the opposite sex? It is true, that for
a time, the influence of the home cir
Gle obviate in a measure those of the
school; but as the children grow up
they are sent to district boarding
schools, their vacations are very likely
to occur in different months, and many
brothers and sisters pass through the
forming period, that most trying era
of their lives, not only without the
safeguard of each others love and
council, but at last even come to re-
gard each other as on almost the same
terms as Prussia and France, each par
ty behaving with perfect courtesy, but
maintaining ''armies of observation"
ready to resist the faintest appearance
of encroachment
Sad as it to contemplate, this state
of things is fast spreading into our
most retired country neighborhoods;
and surely it is incumbent upon those
of US who see our duty in this respect,
to do it; to exert all our influence to
form, and all our powers to maintain,
a state of social intercourse in our
own vicinity which shall counteract in
some degree the destroying force of
the current. It is said by many that
this apparent antagonism of the sexes
is all imaginary that nature is strong
and that as youth develops into man
hood and womanhood, no power on
earth has yet been sufficient to prevent
them from seeking each others socie
ty. True but in what way? Let the
following extracts tell their own story.
would not copy them were they not
supported by similar facts within my
own knowledge.
The New York Observer has the fol-
lowing explanation of ''mysterious dis
| Appearances
"Going up to Albany on the boat a
! few evenings since, young man ap-
preached a young lady sitting near us,
and gradually engaged her in conver
sation. 1t was carried on in a low tone
of voice, and yet loud enough to be
overheard. She let him know that she
lived in Forty fourth street, New York
and between such and such street and
avenue; that he must not write to her
there, but letter addressed to the care
of Miss B., her school friend, at
- South Tenth street, Williams
| burg; would reach her. When the
| young lady runs off with the scamp
who flattered her into this arrange
ment, it will be called q ''mysterious
disappearance.
F'Coming down on the Hudson Riv-
er Railaoad from Troy, young lady
was sitting in the seat before us. A
young man in the seat before bel
turned and began conversation will
her, from which he learned that she
was in Mrs.-'s school at Troy was
going down to New York to spend E
few days at home, By and by ht
changed his seat and took one by hel
side, and rode with her to New York
Before they parted she promised tc
= ! 1Onnt him tho nf nnrto
: streets the next day"
Does any one imagine that if these
girls had been brought up in intimate
companionship with pure minded
brothers and their comrades, her in
stincts, trained by knowledge of til,
trhc, would not have revolted at thu
false admiration thus presented ? O
would any young man, educated in tn
t society of innocent, confding sister
l and their friends, dare thus to insul
e their womanhood? But instructed, a
} they toe often are, that either sex i
r the natural prey of the other, wha
other results are to be anticipated
= Are not hearts the trophies of society
{ as scalps are the glory of the Indian
q Now, it seems at least a probabl
Z thing that when God divided the in
o habitants of the earth into families
Il He knew what He was about; and tn
It more that divine order of things is in
q novated upon, the farther seem our de
o partures from true happiness. Blu
: amusements can not at all times b
d provided in the family circle, an
e amusement nature will have Her
s begin the claims of society upon US
In country neighborhood the well
disposed families should mite for mt
, tual improvement and recreation. A
) rule, one afternoon in week can
e spared for an out-of-door holiday
; when parents and children, neighbor
!, and friends can join for berrying, bot
Il anizing, nutting, riding, driving, row
q ing, or sailing in summer, and in wir
y ter for coasting, sleighing, or skating
l. And two evenings from each week ma
r be devoted to n-doOr amusements {
% more intellectual kind, The ole
fashioned village debating clubs" al
J. not so de5picable as many imagine
F. There is often much genuine and goo
g natured wit, and clear and convincin
IN argument at one of these club NEE
y ings, from house to house, once
er week through the winter. On the otl
s. er recreation evening may be held
IN sort of ''sociable," where nice game
er readings, music, impromptu charade
n, or theatricals are equally in order.
We say impromptu because, when studied
IS too much time may be devoted to the
It, preparation; and however valuab
Ut and even essential we may consider
certain amount of amusement, "
must remember that sail play and Il
H. work is quite as apt to make a ''du
boy of jack as the reverse. Il
hit deed, we have but too many sad il
stances Of that In remote COUNT