West Virginia freeman. (Parkersburg, W. Va.) 1881-1886, 1881-11-16
COARSE GIRLS.
BY MRS. NJ. L. ROBBINS.

y
front Us on the street, at the sta
tions They whisper in our ears in
tbe concert-hall. They indulge
freely in peanuts, and laugh loudly
1t their own poor jokes in the cars.
Even the lecture-room and the
church are not wholly free from
them. They stare at US in the
stores and jostle on the walks. APP
narently their chief amusement
consists in ridiculing the mistakes
and misfortunes of others. Alas,
too. for the slang used by well-edu-
Gated girls. In liitening to a COM
pany at the present day, how puz-
lied poor Dr. Webster would be to
recognize his own english.
There are girls who would reprove
their brothers for profanity, but
who utter expressions nearly as
forcible, and suggesting the same
spirit.
Are not these indications of bad
breeding becoming more numerous ?
Does not the advent of Derby hats
and ulsters tend "a little to render
Girls louder in tone and less modest
in demeanor?
Lately CHANGED to see a party of
girls on the daily ridg to a school
near Boston. Apparently they be-
longed to families Of competence.
They were bright girls, but so lack
ing in refinement. They forced
their conversation upon all the oc-
cupants of the car. One, in the
questionable hat and ulster, with
hands in pockets, walked through
the train, not emitting the smoking
car, seeking Crank" We queried
whether Crank" would appreciate
50 profound an attention.
It would have been gratifying to
hear some allusion to study, some
discussion of facts in natural histo-
ry, new theories in philosophy, or
the thousand delightful bits of
knowledge one could not fail to ac-
quire in any New England school !;
but their remarks were wholly for
eign to such grand subjects.
If bad manners and shocking
grammar were confined to girls
whose daily struggle. is to obtain
needful support, | should have
more charity. There need be moth
ing debasing in measuring off rib
bons and laces in the store, in ply
ing the needle in tailor shops or
dressmaking establishments. There
need be no lessening Of fine per-
ceptions in the factory operatives.
It is never honest work that de-
grades, Still, in the lives Of such
busy ones, there is less time for cul-
ture, for books, for all that ought to
elevate. With these tired, tried
specimens Of womanhood, | would
only have great sympathy. For
their more favored sisters, who
would quickly resent any insinua-
ton as to their not being ladies,
but who are not ladylike, l have
censure.
There is something so beautiful,
so facinating, evon to their own sex,
in bright but modest girl, in one
who does quietly the duty nearest
her, never shrinking from the lnev-
liable, never seeking publicity;
Such girlhood has been described
as
Gan exquisite Incompetence, blossom fore
shadowing fruit;
Asketch, faint in it's beauty, with promise OF
future worth.
A plant with some leaves unfolding and the
rest asleep at it's root,
To deck with their future sweetness the fair
est thing on the earth"
Even a bad man respects such a
character, and in the presence OF
pure girlhood restraints his vulgarl-
ty and profanity.
If only girls could realize the Sc
cret Of their power! Seldom to the
platform can they look for their
greatest influence, or to any public
life, but always to the home, where
all good manners, all kind thought
Tor others, is sure to carry sun
shine.
1t has been nicely said that
manners are not morals, but man
ners and morals are never tar
apart" A girl who guards well
her + h. ON rlo+c lo, oynroccior1 WI |