The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1880-07-22
Low Lang uage and Free-and-Easy Be-
haViOr.


ates and from the habits which such
companionship will surely bring is of
the utmost Importance. Low express
sions-'' slang phrases as they are
termed-will be one of the first fruits.
A " free-and easy'' way of talking and
acting among strangers in the streets or
stores, and at last ventured upon at
home, will be the next. These two most
offensive habits usually 60 hand in hand,
and, very strangely, unless we look at
it as an evidence of natural depravity,
are eagerly caught up by the young
With girls, especially, if they are al
lowed to use such low phrases, other
unfeminine traits will soon follow; often
a coarse, staggering manner, instead
of the graceful, lady-like carriage that
indicates refinement and modesty.
When girls or young ladies CD are
seen with their hands thrust deep into
the Ulster pocket or surtout, as is now
the term, and the Derby tipped on one
side, talking and laughing loudly and
walking with masculine strides, they
have no cause of complaint if the rude,
ragged little gamins in the street take
infinite satisfaction in running after
such nondescripts and calling. s. l say,
mister They cannot but think that
the attire and manner of such girls mark
them as lawful victims for their insults
and ribaldry.
These reprehensible and offensive
habits of speech and manner have crept
into youthful society with amazin g
rapidity of late, and are so closely allied
to unsafe and immoral license that pa
rents cannot be too quick or peremptory
in restraining the least approach to any
such liberties. Ii left unrebuked at
first, under the impression that if appa-
rently unnoticed their children will soon
see the folly of it and correct it them
selves, they will find they have made
sad mistake. Once allowed to take root
the evil will soon be beyond parental
control, ripening into fixed habits that
will be a blot on their children during
their whole lives.
This kind of vulgarity carries with it
a seductive fascination for the youthful,
unbalanced mind, and tends to moral
deformity even if it leads to nothing
worse. Such evils, like sin, are at first
repulsive and disgusting, but
"Seen too oft, familiar with its face,
We first endure, then pity, then embrace"
Boys are enticed more easily into the
use of vulgar and low expressions from
coming in contact with coarse, rough
boys, as they are naturally outdoors or
in the streets more than girls, and often
less under their mothers influence and
supervision. They are. therefore, in
danger of having the habit fixed before
it is suspected at home. When temp
tations are not resisted and repealed at
the beginning they find easy victims.
Ii a boy is tempted to indulge in low
conversation, and yields, he will find
that profanity is near of kin.
Girls seldom fall into habits of pro-
family, but from lack of proper restraint
at home too often indulge in speech and
actions which are far from ladylike or
refined, and not many years ago would
not have been tolerated in good society.
But of late, at home, making or receiY-
ing calls, on the streets or in the cars,
this loud, boisterous, free and-easy be-
havior is painfully noticeable If seen
in little girls, who should be as sweet
and gentle as the birds or flowers, one
cannot avoid thinking that their moth
ers have not guarded their Jewels as
they are in duty bound to do when such
priceless treasures are committed to
their charge. If our little girls greet
their brothers and sisters, and perhaps
even their parents. boisterously; if, in
stead of ''Good morning." they cry,
Halloo, papa! Halloo, mammal and
coll n Mo tno ~, ca, IL.
same rough manner, who will be sur
prised if this style follows them as they
grow up and appear as young ladiesp
Referring to this unladylike manner and
mode OF address. a gentleman writes
that, passing two pretty, well-dress-
ed, stylish-looking young ladies in
the public streets, he was sur
prised to hear one meet the
other with ''Halloo, Sidr' and the 9th
er respond, 60 Halloo, Tudor to her
friends greeting; and he remarks: at
was just what two lounging young men
might have said. or stable boys, for that
matter. 1t might not have been so
much out of the way for the latter, but
l confess it sounded very odd and often
sive in what 1 supposed to be two we'll
bred young ladies; as much so as if |
had heard two beautiful gray and rose
colored birds begin to swear. 1t was
so unnatural, so out of place. 1t may
be the style for young girls or ladies
to greet each other with an Halloor'
but | can't like it or get used to it.
These things may seem but trifie, but
they make all the difference between
nice things and very common things.
We usually prefer sweet, gentle, refined
girls to those who are coarse and hoi-
denish. Girls may fall into this free
and-easy, unlady-like habit through
their brothers example; but sisters
were given to refine and soften the
coarser nature of their brothers. If
they do. not do this we shall no longer
find in our sisters refined and refining
companions, but the coarse ways and
rough speech of young men in flounces.
Is it not just as easy to initiate the grace
full manners and refined speech of lady
as those of rude, uncultivated boy?''
The same general rules for correct
and pleasant behavior are safe for bows
and girls, ladies and gentlemen. A gen
tleman may entertain the highest re-
SDect for lady, and he on tha most