Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-05-13
Short Sermon for the Girls.

A San Francisco journal has SEN
sensible article regarding a class OF
giddy girls which it styles "Mash-
ers." The word is not an elegant one
especially when applied to gentle wo.
manhood, but it seems that term
borrowed from the Hoodlum vocab.
ulary is necessary sometimes, in
treating of such subjects, to convey
the precise meaning desired, and we
use it, as did our contemporary, to
render the subject as odious as the
circumstances seem 10 warrant.
"Mashing," as it has developed in
the city--and no doubt it's attributes
are similar everywhere consists in
attracting the attention of strangers
on the street, on the steamer or cars,
or at any assemblage of people, and
by looks and acts inviting recognia-
ton and acquaintance. 1t is gener-
ally engaged in by girls just enter
ing their teens, and the objects they
select upon whom to practice their
wiles are usually very young men
who believe themselves veritable
Apollos of the race, with but little
character to boast of, who toll not
yet manage by hook or by crook to
dress stylishly and dawdle away
their time in pursuit of questionable
means of amusement. They readily
respond to all such advances. with the
most villainous designs. MASKING"
generally is, SO far as the girls are
concerned, engaged in without
thought of harm, but the results
often verify the truth of the adage
None are so weak as those who
rely solely on their own strength. "
A moth may escape with utscorched
wings, if it discovers in time that O
fame will burn to utter destruction.
If the girls would only stop to
consider the risk they run, if they
only knew the opinion of those who
see them engaged in the dangerous
amusement, they would never re-
sort to it. They are not often actu-
ated by depraved ideas, nor do they
realize the fact that they suffer in
reputation, though no lasting harm
may follow. It is to enlist the at
tention of innocent, confding girls,
and awaken that of parents that
these lines are written.
It is a safe plan for girls to recog-
nize nobody of the opposite sex, un-
til they have been properly present
ed and vouched for as men OF pure
character. Even people who have
arrived at years of discretion are
sometimes deceived by plausible
manners and a propossessing exter-
Tor, and it would therefore seem that
prolonged acquaintance is essential
for a thorough knowledge of individ-
ual character.
Without the intention of being in
vidious in naming class of people
whose rowing disposition seem to be
ingrained into their very nature, the
travelling Observation-Disclosures there
may be some honorable exceptions
are proverbially men of reckless NOR
ais. It is very rare that those who
possess the sterling traits of man
hood which lead to prominence in
their profession drift about the
country to obtain recognition of
their genius or worth. They are usu-
ally "played out" in character as
we'll as in reputation. While we ad-
NIT there are exceptions to all rules,
inexperienced people are very likely
to be mislead if they endeavor to
separate the grain from the chat.
Bear in mind, girls, as you prize
your reputation and future happi-
ness. that you cannot afford to be
lavish Of your smiles upon strangers.
The Portland Standard seems to
think that Gen. Sprague will have
some trouble in enforcing his order
for saloon keepers at Cheney to keep
their places shut, while track-laying
progresses near that town. Pro-
badly that journal is not aware that
we have prohibitory law, enacted
for the special purpose of restraining
liquor-sslling within one mile of the
route of the Northern Pacific Rail-