Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-12-05
SCHOOLGIRL Manners and Street Ac.
QNaintanceS.

From the Philadelphia Ledger.
Another schoolgirl has disappeared in New
York. and has been missing for more than a
week. The advertisement described her as a
richly dressed young girl. quite too old to be
kidnapped or carried off against her will, ex-
cept by some highly ingenious trick. If she has
run away to visit some relatives, as is suggested,
it begins to be time that this was made clear.
Another explanation. which occurs to everyone
who has noticed the manners Of some, of many
young girls in the street, is limited at in the
story which Jessie MailIard, another young girl,
told lately In court of justice. The manners
aforesaid are not peculiar to New York They
are probably not understood by the giddy sml-
Ing young creatures who make street acquaint-
ances for the fun of the thing. as leading to
anything but fun and Irritation
The girls are innocent enough of any other
meaning, they simply crave the excitement,
the novelty OF new acquaintance of possible adj
mlrers. American mothers do not watch over
their daughters in the street. nor is it neces-
sary, If they watch over them at home. School
girls, shop girls, factory girls, and all the pretty.
lively young folks that are left to take care Of
themselves and run the chances of street ac-
quaintances, ought to know that no man makes
acquaintance in the street of any girl whom he
means to respect. This is the story Jesse Mall
lard told:
Il first saw him on the sidewalk when went
into music store to buy piece of music. He
stood outside and dirted his handkerchief at me.
was on my way to school, He Joined me. and
after that we met frequently. In three weeks
he had ruined me-"
To this silly, fattered child of fifteen, this
new acquaintance meant lover in the pew
found admirer. To the young scoundrel who
afterwards betrayed and deserted her IT meant
an intrigue-nothing more. Quite likely he
concluded that girl who needed no more in
PRODUCTION than a fiirted handkerchief was
equally advised with himself as to the
only footing of such acquaintance. Tn
Is sentimental. vain, utterly unbalanced, and
she does not know. They do not stand upon a
level. She sees only an engagement of mar
rage ahead, if she looks ahead at ALL to come
of the "attentiOns" which are offered. She
likes presents" is flattered by even car ride
in such romantic company; accepts invi-
tations to theaters. enjoys being fed with
sugar-plums or suppcrs Her companion
is perfectly clear in supposing she openly
understands how he is rating her. She does
only is the loser. If the disappearance follows,
who is to blame? Is it the mother or near friend
who has fondly fanced that ignorance OF evil
was the best security for the free-going child?
Is 1t the girl herself, who has read romances
enough. in paper covers, but never dreams that
Whether it is Jessie Maillard alive to tell the
shameful story, or Jennie Cramer, dead and
flung up on the beach at New Haven, it is al
ways the girl who suffers. The street acquaint-
ance that begins with flirting handkerchief
ends with q sOiled and fearful tragedy, the
shreds of a wasted young life thrown aside as of
no account, or trodden under foot Pretty
school girl, pretty shop girl. thoughtless girls
everywhere. that are left to manage their own
lives understand. first of all, how you are rated
by the street acquaintance. That alone will put
you on level with such false friends You NAV
not be able to get bracelets. and necklaces. and
amusements. and sweetmeats, and perfumery to
your liking at home. They cost too much for
you to get them? They cost too much, entirely
too much, for you to have them by this new and
easy way.