The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1882-03-31
" PERSONALS."
The Manner CORES pondenre In Carried an
ta stsy Papers.

New York News
The advertisements which newspapers
publish III the column devoted to Per
son lis" are decidedly miscellaneous, but
frequently mysterious and revolving.
Through this medium negotiations are
conducted involving matrimony and
sensuality, finance and crime. Ladies
seek TO recover hideous pug-dogs, bril-
liant diamonds and hayward lovers;
bankers angle for the return of stolen
bonds, aud the very thieves for immunity
and reward; worthless spendthrifts be-
come candidates for rich heiresses; and
artful women for confidential and con-
venient friends; destitute and deserving
families, once opulent, appeal for aims;
mothers propose to surrender their first
born; police detectives employ ingenious
decoys to ertrap criminals; libidinous
wretches advertise with the design of in
weighing thoughtlesss girls that they
have ogled in street cars or jostled III
stages; and ghouls, that have pillaged
the grave, bargain for the restoration of
the fostering corpse. Some weeks since
our attention was directed to the follow
ing advertisement:
81 A N ATTRACTIVE young lady Of the first
"A family desires in need a friend indeed a re-
hned gentleman OF means may address, "kNlCk-
ERB3OCKER"
Being unfortunately Invested of the
indispensable qualifications required, we
did not respond to the invitation, but it
especially knocked our sympathy. We
are naturally anxious to know if this at
tractive young lady was promptly and
suitably accommodated; and to which of
the numerous first families of New York
she was actually allied. The melancholy
fact, that notwithstanding illustrious
pedigree and unquestioned cultivation,
she was constrained to issue such gen.
eral solicitation to the -scions of aristoc-
racy, must have done violence to her
sensibilities and hereditary pride, es-
pecially if destitute of previous expert
ence in such delicate affairs.
That the discerning advertiser was
less concerned about the age and reputa-
ton of respondents than their aesthetic
refinement and abundant resources
should not occasion distrust. Men of
advanced age are proverbially and cred
ulously susceptible to female blandish-
ment, while they are ordinarily content
with the graces OF department and the
affectation OF lively gratitude. Sexa-
genarians, if they cannot command af-
lection, can purchase complaisance; and
many women, we fear, consult their
pockets rather than their hearts and
cOnsclences.
1t would be exceedingly interesting to
the public and indirectly profitable to
the press if all the incidents and circum-
stances connected with and resulting
from such advertisements could be fifth
fully collected and published Though
perhaps occasionally offending social
propriety and disagreeable to dupes and
knaves, the revelations would be emf
nently valuable. Such information, If
circulated would render the acts of the
designing more repulsive and unsuccess-
full, while the just apprehension of pop
ular scorn would have a reformatory in
huencs upon the conduct of the deluded
and depraved.
Many of our citizens, enjoying wealth
and social position, shrink from forming
alliances or engaging In business opera
tions in the sphere in which they move
and understand, and consequently be-
come the prey of conspiratOrs and the
instruments of adventurers. Attracted
by the mysterious, they possess only the
courage and curiosity to indulge in
speculations, and even liasons, that seem
invested with secrecy and romance.
The Knickerbocker residents of the
Fifth avenue, responsible for the neglect
of their charming relative, in our iudg-
ment, have made serious mistake.
They should have realized the fact that
the notoriety given to her condition
would have inspired among their fash.
ionaoie neighbors at least rs much curl.
osity as charity, and if not promptly re-
lieved of pecuniary suffering, would be
of family secrets and domestic scandal.