The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1874-05-07
THE DAsHING FLINT.
From Lippincott's Magazine.

-
Observe the incapacity of those who sill
In high places The dictionary manifest.
ly knows nothing about it. a hirt is moi
OF necessity young girl, and cannot in
the nature of things be tie least gid Nv.
Al contraie jttstenent, she acts with we'll
considered and deliberate purpose; she
possesses great s'eadiness and force of
character; her patience and perseverance
are indomitable; and for years she keeps
In view an object of com paratively trifing
interest until it is uJl fat acconlpi She
assumes such moods and characteristics
as she deems most efficient in pursuance
Of her designs, and plays part with a
! veri-simllitude which often deceives the
most acute. She is a social Modoc, de-
! lighting in her cruel achievements, and
rating her proves by the extent Of the
wounds Inflicted and the number of scalps
/ taken.
As with early potatoes, there are sever
al varieties OF frts, and it is difficult to
decide which variety is preferable
The dashing flirt does very heavy ex-
ecution. She dances, rides and talks
with So keen an enjoyment in each that it
| lmparts itself TO others, her interest new
/ er flags, her tongue exemplifes perpetual
motion, and her oyerfowing animal spirits
are as eXhilarating AS a sea-breeze. She is
exceedingly lmperIous and naughty, and
rules everybody connected with her, from
her mamma to her maid, and from Cap
tain j 1nes, whom she delights to honor,
to little Johnny Wilkins, who hangs
about her and devotedly performs her be-
hest for weeks and weeks without receiv-
ing kind word But then, when she
does condescend, her kindness is so de-
lightful that all her retainers, from mann
ma and Aunt Lucy and Captain Jones
down, bask joytuIly in the "sun of sweet
content" Loyal Johnny wilkins fidelity
and deft execution Of sundry commands
are rewarded by a charming little speech
of recognition, and he IS most grateful and
happy. She is person of great deter
mination, does as she likes best, and pos
sesses an insight into characters and mo- |
tlves which enables her ''to play upon |
them, seems to know their stops, aud |
sound them from their lowest note to the |
top Of their compass" and Is gentle or |
stern, coaXlng or bullying, affectioDate or |
cold, as her quick discrimination suggests. |
She has great partiality and aptitude /
for physical and outdoor amusements; |
she waltzes with Captain Jones long after
that gallant officer Is ready to faint from
heat and exhaustion, and mamma and
Aunt Lucy are almost in spasm OF terror
lest she should break a blo0d-vessel and
she plays croquet until it is so dark that
the gentlemen are compelled II tie white
handkerchiefs on the wickets In order to
see them, and her devoted slave, John
ny Wilkins, holds q lamp for her, and
consequently has to bear the blame of all
her misfortunes in that exciting pastime,
for not throwing the light further than it
can shine. When she joins aquatic excur-
sIons she always takes an oar and pulls
most doughtily; she makes herself very
laerry at the expense Of those timid
young ladies who, one would imagine !
has the hydrophobia, SO great is their ter
ror of water, she jumps about to tilt the
boat from side to side, and their unaffected
uneasiness laughs aloud, so liquid, so mer-
ry, so musical laugh, and withal looks
so sauclly beautiful, that the attendant
cavaliers, III repro batting such heartless
conduct, flock IN numbers to her standard
and by and by receive the reward they
merit. They do anything and every.
thing she wishes, steer IN tue direction she
pleases; row rapidly or slowly as she is
fresh or tired; and their indulgence Of
her -7hlms Is received as a matter OF
course. She expresses u desire for some
lovely watcr-lilIes. Captain Jones has
tens to crafty her, and as he exerts all
his strength to break them from their
tough stems, she holding the rudder-lilles.
dettIy turns the boat a little to one side, {
and over goes the adventurous Jones into
the water. The other gentlemen think
this most bewitching piaylujness, and {
the ladies-Oh, never mind them, who !
cares what they think? II for a penny, !
in for pound, Jones wei through swims
about and gathers All the lilies he can fi1d
returns 10 the boat and presents them to {
MS ben aimee, who smiles pretrly, thanks
lim in the kindest manner. and tells him ]
ne is like a great Water-dog. q
She has SGT her heart upon riding Cap
tain Jones beautiful and spirited steed j,
Black AusteT. which he once in an I'M :
guarded moment offered to lend her,
her pretty bay Donum is
palfrey, and much more suita- c
Die for a lady's use. She is bent upon |
his because mamma and Aunt Lucy
nave positively refused their consent, !
their forces and hold out man. =
ully against hot siege, and the miscre- '
int Jones, deserving the cause Of his liege
ady, actually, from some hidden recess,
If his inner nature, plucks up sufficient a
courage to decline to lend her his wild +
md dangerous horse; not because be Q
doubts her ability to ride Black Auster,
)ut because he cannot think himsel iusti- g
liable in doing so in opposition to her +
Mothers and aunts express commands q
70 this speech she replies, dropping her
,heery voice to 4 plaintive key with dis
appointment quite touching, Il thought !
'ou would be pleased to do me a favor; | I
,eg your pardon"
$50 | would! so I would" excitedly de-
lares Jones, 'only your mother opposes +,
t so strongly" :
She turns her back upon him as if she {
intends to join the rest of the equestrian
'arty, who are standing about in little
-roups, all engaged IN Cheerful and con '
used discussion concerning the horses Il
nd equipments. my mother opposes q
t, indeed" she says, looking back over
Ter shoulder at him with scorn and indig- Z
lation flashing from her eyes, and, Of ST
curse, you care more for mammals 0ppo- a
ition than for my wishes. Hereafter, /
lope | may know better who are my real =,
riends. Do you suppose if I had asked :
dr. Lester to lend me his horse in place :
f mine, be would not have gladly gone
N his head to that gate there and ex-
hanged the saddles in one moment 81
That he would, poor dear fellow!" a
All, Jones weak, but not wickedl- Il
With fierce desire burning within him
o break that Testers head on which the \
Dung lady represented him as joyfully :,