Smyrna times., 1878-06-19
Fannie's Anti-Slang Society.

well, dear" said Mrs. Ford as Fannie
threw down her school books and flung
herself, with sigh of relief, into the easy
chair; $50 school is no more for to-day,
and you are Oft for Il picnic this afternoon.
| thought some nice fresh doughnuts
would be Just the thing for luncheon, and
they are just finished and packed in your
basket"
ooh, that is gay! do think that you
are the most elegant mother that ever
was" and Fanny gave her mother a hearty
hug. "Ill go get ready right away"
"Stop one moment dear Will you tell
me the exact meaning OF the words gay
and 'elegant'?'
"Why, gay means-it means-well, I'm
sure don't know just what it does mean,
but all the girls use it,
"And so, of course, what all the girls
say and do must be right and proper"
mo, indeed, not always. But, mother,
can't see any harm in saying that"
I" No actual harm, perhaps, my dear, but
it is never the mark Of lady. or of good
breeding, to use extravagant phrases or
slang. What would you have thought of
the Hon. Mrs. Roper, on whom we called
last week, if on greeting us she had ex-
claimed, Pm confounded glad to see you !!
Well, it makes you laugh, but do you not
think you would have opened your eyes in
amazement at such words from one who
pretended to be IL lady.
" Ha! ha! indeed l should. But then
she is grown up, and ought to be dignifed
and girl like me don't expect to be very
particular in her speech besides | don't
use them very often"
"Oftener than you think. Only thi.
morning it was perfectly splendid thai
there was no school this afternoon
Splendid means magnificent, bright.
could not see its application to your vaca
ton; and now it is gay to have doughnut
for luncheon, and | am the most polished
beautiful, symmetrical mother in the
world. Now hardly think such was you
thought, and you probably intended to sa!
that it would be very nice, and that | wa
to you the kindest of mothers"
But you knew what meant, and thes
| expressions are so common"
That is Just it, Fannie. They are com
mon because used in ignorance, and the,
make those who use them appear common
also. Surely you know mother we'll enoug
to feel that she has your best interest il
view when she urges you to overcome
|
strive to say just what you mean in tn
| future?h
| "Well, l will try, if you wish me to, bu
l know that never can so long as | 60
that school and associate with the girls
"Then, my dear, do you not think,
the girls are such good teachers, and yo
such an apt pupil in learning what is nc
nice, that you perhaps might revers
| nd hoNnY11n N
they the pupils in learning to be lad
like?'
; &" l never thought of it in that way bl
do see now, and | mean to try hard
throw off so bad a habit"
"Do so, my dear daughter, and brir
t not only happiness to your own family, b
a lasting satisfaction to yourself"
! An hour later the noise of merry voic
and light laughter heralded the approaC
of the picnic party.
= "Come, Fan, aren't you most read,
We're going to have perfectly immen
time, and we ought to be off," shout
Kitty Langdon, as they drew near t.
door.
"Yes, hurry up, Fannie; Joe and Ma
are to meet US up the road. Minni'
mother wouldn't let her come. ! thiI
she's Just horrid,' said Susie Fitch.
Fannie cast sly glance at her mothC
Somehow the words had never seemed
rude to her before. But it only streng
"a ened her determination to do otherw
herself, and firm in her desire to help
others, she took her basket and joined t
party, determined to speak upon the 81
ject at the first opportunity. The VOC
were fragrant with pine and moss, and
a time the merry party roamed abo
gathering the cones with which the grou
was strewn. At last the luncheon ii
arrived, and seated at their rustic m
Fannie felt that her time had arrived.
an earnest voice she began
g. "Girls, have something | want to
to YOU"
"Hear hear Miss Ford has the fic
Now that have secured quiet in the
dience, will the orator of the day pie
proceed ?" cried merry Kate.
Don't view me with crickets ey
quoted Susie, as she surveyed huge s.
!, of bread and butter. 81 say" she con
ued, "just taste this bread it's the
L, bread, no mistake"
"What kind of bread 2'' inquired Fan
" I've heard of the Weed sewing mach
of the Excelsior chair, of Whites bu
wheat, but | never heard of Boss br
before. From what does it derive
name? The brand of flour from whic
MI is made, perhaps"
ey, "Why, you're perfectly horrid, Far
8m Ford; you know what meant"
- 81 must answer you as mother answt
me to-day. How are we to know o.
meaning but by their words? TINS
what | wanted to speak about. Girls
20 have got into such habit Of using 81
iih,Se The that we don't know when we do It,
ed ed for one, am going to try to rid myself
tn and now who will join me?"
all "I'm sure never use slang" c
Kate.
;. "Nor /" said Susie. 1900.
"And only yesterday, when Willie
Mr.. Spring was dead beat told hir
was horrid boy to speak So"
"Therel your own words condemn
= Horrid means dreadful, hideous, shock
/. 3 and your brother was all that for spea
- words no worse than your own langu'
= Rut 7 don't call that slang. The