The Orangeburg democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1879-1881, 1880-01-23
Flirting.

GcpliOn. AL are familiar with the
numerous varieties of the species.
We need only mention q few, and
very few words will suffice to Indicate
the pcculiarilies Of each. There is the
noiey, boisterous "fast girl whose
flirting is but one of her characters
tics, along with her cxtravagant dress,
slang speeches, and general uncon
yentionality Of dcmeanor and disre-
gard Of appearances. There is the
common vulgar airt, who has neither
intellect nor education sufficient TO
qualify her even for the exercise of
the very low al she PROCESSES. The
style we arc chiefly familiar with in
the person Of the maitl-of al-work in
her intercourse with the milkman or
the policeman. But girls of better
class often remind us Of her, their
flirting merely consisting of pert, sau-
cy speeches and tosses of the head.
Then there is the sly, quiet lirt, less
Objectionable to society in general,
though perhaps more dangerous and
designing than the open hoydcn.
Among this class may be found the
Becky Sharps and Blanche Amorys
who, since the advent Of Thackcray's
novels, have come TO be regarded as
the types Of artful woman kind.
These are fond Of hooks and corners ::
their batteries arc little soft, nattcr-
ing speeches, demurc glanccs, and an
affectation Of infanlinc simplicity and
innocence; and their victims are gen.
orally young, unwary lads or easily
gulled old gentlemen. There is tho
practical, designing nirt, who sets
herself deliberately and of malice
prcpense to intrap husband, or at
least an admirer, with the variety
chiefly found, happily, in sensational
noreis-=of the girl who has an addi-
tional zest lent to her game if she can
Interfere with the claims Of other wo-
men, either wives or swccthcarts.
Some would, perhaps, include the un-
conscious flirt, if such thing can be {;
that is, the girl who is naturally gay,
and has little winning, coaxing ways,
which, # aided by n Lrctty person,
mike her specially attractive, if MOI.
dangerous.
Having said so much regarding the
coquGttc, it would he unfair 10 con.
clude without passing condemnation
upon the male nirt or "coruel." A
most Objectionable being but one, to
do men justice, seldom met with, at
least in its worst form, that is, the
lady-killcr. We do not 1T all mean
the ''ladies' man." There arc very
few SiIls, even Of the scdatc type,
who do not like q mln who tries to
make himself agreeable to ladies, even
to the extent Of soft speeches aid
harmless gallantries. Indeed, man
who is not fond Of ladies' society is
generally fond of much worse things.
And that which would be flirting in q
woman is not flirting in 4 man, or
even meant for it, for some license
must be allowed to the sex which
ought TO take the "ini,ialivc." But
there is degraded type Of man who
goes much further, and often has the
breaking Of hearts to atone for one
who does SO with his eyes open, and
knowing well the consequences Of his
procedure. There are men who set
themselves to the task of winning
hearts for the pleasure of the game,
and who will 60 to great pains and
articles to do SO. They generally
exercise their art on young, unsophis-
tlcatcd girls--where they can find
such-as more fresh and Interesting.
and easier 10 deceive than those who
arc au Jait in the practices of coquct-
ry themselves. These are the "hand
some men," who, by means of q flat
tering tongue, can easily, in few
pointed spccchcs-,iust keeping clear
of an actual declaration Il sim
pie girl think herself the chosen and
beloved one. If he mean nothing Sc
rlOus, what can be more unmanly.
more ungencrous, than such course
Oh conduct on q mans part? The
male jilt can be called to account for
his actions; but the mere uirt, The
"lady-killer," plays his hearlless game
in secret, quite unsuspectcd--if he be
very artlul and wary-even by the
girls family; his delinqucnccs NAV
be known only 10 The sufferer herself.
who: of course, cannot "mukc her