The Sentinel. [volume] (Trenton, N.J.) 1880-1882, 1882-10-21
An Old Woman's Talk With
Girls
About Flirtations and rts Evils.


likened to nothing else, is destroying
the life and prospects of countless
young girls. Let keen observer go
along the streets and watch how
many Young girls Just stepping upon
thethreshold of womanhood, and his or
her heart. instead of warming to their
freshness ana youthful innocenc &c,
shudders at the bold and inviting
chances which are losing or have al
ready lost the modest look ofyoung
maidenhood.
There is nothing more beautiful than
modesty, in the young particularly
and when that is wanting the chief
charm of a young girl is lost.
Do you think, girls, that the men
who forget their manliness aud dig
nifty so far as to engage in this sense
less pastime, would think of you for q
moment as wives? Oh, no. And to
prove it to you will tell you of little
conversation I overheard a few days
ago, which made me burn with 1ndig-
nation, and caused me to write this
letter to you to show you that the very
men you f1irt with are the first to turn
your Stiffness into ridicule, and often
worse.
Two gentlemen were talking not far
from my corner, and no doubt think
ing that the OLD woman in the corner
was not paying attention to them
they talked quite unreservedly. The
older of the two was evidently man
of sense, with a just idea of honor. He
wss saying to his companion:
Il suppose you intend to marry
Miss M, as 1 see you are paying her
such devoted attention"
do you see any green in my eyes ?'
was the very vulgar reply. "Why, as
for marrying Miss M, I'd rather be
excused. She is too great fiirt to
ever make true wife. The way I
came to know her was on the street;
she gave me sweet little look, which
encouraged me to bow. My bow was
returned, and I j)ined in her prone
made. L afterward took her to get
some lunch, and ordered wine, just to
see how far she would let me go at the
first meeting; and, by Jove! | was
surprised to see how she could drink.
But have since found that she can
hold her own pretty well. mean to
drop her soon and seek fresh game"
II think it very dishonorable to act
So" said the elder man.
The younger bridled up, and said:
"What right have you to speak to
me thus? I feel perfectly justified in
doing as / have done. If the girls
choose to make fools of themselves, I
a n not going to preach wisdom to
to them. I mean to have all the fun /
can out of Them"
Very plain language, girls, but you
lay yourselves open to it. How can
you expect men to want you as wives
when you hold yourselves so cheaply
that any well. dressed rake can walk
up to you and become your escort?
And do you think you are So cred to
the man you have favored for the mo-
ment, and that he keeps this pleasant
little folly to himself? If you think
so, you are sadly mistaken; he feels
contempt for you, and when he gets
among his kind he boasts of the
''mash'' he made, and calls you jolly
little thing, and hints at darker end
ing than you ever thought when
folly shall have become vice. Soon
you are marked, and your good
name is banded from mouth to
mouth as being no better than you
should be, and 1t is only the respecta-
bility OF your parents that saves you
from disgrace.
Girls, girls, look well to the snares
set for your feet; avoid the appearance
OF evil as well as evil itself. G. s.