The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1880-06-05

bliss that is denied me, / think
could be of some use to myself and
others before the fires of life have en-.
tirely died out.n
Once more her eyes were turned
toward the setting sun and into them
came a longing so intense in depth
and intensity that the reporter, too,
| turned away his head, ashamed of the
emotion that crept over him, warm
ing into genial life Il passionate SYM
pathy that he remembers never to
have felt before.
And yet" spoke his companion,
"do | not deserve it all? Can | con-
scientiously revile the abuses that
have crept into society when /, my
self have been one Of the Instruments
in the promotion of some of the most
glaring ones. Could | have only seen
that the young boys whom l helped to
lead on and encourage in their hollow
and worthless pursuits would reap the
fruits of their aimless indulgences and
turn into ambitiouless members of Il
diseased society,"! And yet their sun
has not been eclipsed; they still bask
in the smiles of women, and have no
cause to reflect that their days are
passing away. But should they let
such thoughts disturb them? They
live for the present. But, my God, is
it by such frail images that the young
generation of girls, just budding into
womanhood, are to be taught society
manners; is it by such preceptors
that their instincts are to be directed,
and with them their experience on
the social platform to be shaped?
Suppose | had tried to cure the abuses
| found on my entrance into society
instead Of strengthening them, with
how much more satisfaction could |
look back upon my life.o
" But it is never too late to mend
why don't you begin now"
"Ah, how hopeless such a task
would be! At every turn | should
meet with reminders of my shameless
work. Besides what good can a
woman, such as I, effect? | who have
passed the nights of my bright youth
at balls, parties, theatres, and social
reunions of all sorts the mornings in
my chamber, and have never seen the
sun rise; | who have spent my days
in novel reading, ostensible shopping
and matinees! What help could l
give husband if had one? | could |
not sympathize with him in his losses
and business troubles, because | have |
never had an insight into practical |
living, and my companionship would |
be uncomfortable to him, because he !
could not sympathize with the eXper-
ience I have gathered from people
whom he detests.n
But then you might find man
who holds the same sentiments ~as
Yourself"
Where do you find Il society man
nowadays marrying society
woman? You can't mention one, |
an sure | can't. Society such as we
nave it in New Orleans, is so fast and
lissipated that at last when man
gives it up he does so because it has
exhausted him 50 thoroughly that he
Ireads all thought of it. He leaves it
because he can't support its giddy
whirl, and he must have rest and
luiet. He can marry when he so
wishes. Fortunate creatures !"
"But there, the bell is ringing and
must be going. There are my
riends looking for me now. Good
,ye!"
And the reporter was wondering
o himself for some time afterwards
low it was that the faded beauty
to speak tha word 50 light
y and gaily. But, then, she had
earned the secret in her society eX-
Dericnce; it Was second nature to her
o express just the opposite Of what
he felt.