Huntsville gazette., 1882-07-22
The Masher.

What is masherp Webster gives no
definition of him, but he is known to
modern literature as a creation indigo
nous to American soil, and which grows
profusely on the steps of hotels, OF the
intersection of streets and around thea
ter entrances, or at such parts of the
promenade as are most fre9uented by
young ladies without escorts; he has,
unfortunately, the outward semblance
of gentleman, notwithstanding his
grimace5 and contortions when one of
the opposite sex happens to notice him.
He is always airing his accomplishments,
hoping to ssmash" some silly girl.
When one of these interesting subjects
appears the masher writhes and twists
like subtle anaconda, whom he resem-
bles, indeed, and is at once afflicted with
facial difficulty; his features work
convulsively, one eye is partially closed !;
p smile intended to be au inspiration of
love, but which in its idiotic vacancy
more nearly resembles a suggestion of
collie, wreathes his bland features, and
he makes mysterious passes over his
chin and moustache, his impudent lips,
and finally with an indescribable twist
of his ringed fingers, he puts the hand
kerchief away in his breast pocket; he
has been indulging in a species of hand
kerchief literature-a sign language
which variously interpreted means, 81
would like to be acquainted" ''we will
meet again. 81 admire you,' ''follow
me-" and similar trash. To sensible,
level-headed girl his maneuvers are so
absurd that she can hardly repress a
laugh, but should the masher discern
even the ghost of a smile, he would fol-
low her to her own doorsill. 50 intense
is his egotism that it never occurs to
him that he is being laughed at. A lady
in this city was once followed by one Of
the species for several blocks, and at
last she turned upon him and asked:
"Have you any business with me,
sirPn
&c I wish to make your acquaintance, !"
he replied, with the impudent self pos
session the creature has at immediate
command.
The lady was disconnected for mo-
ment by his boldness, then she said:
81 can not imagine what l have done
that you should dare to address me in
this manneri''
"Why, you have given me every
sign," answered the wretch, pointing to
the handkerchief she carried openly in
her hand "and l supposed you wanted
to know mel"
To this day the lady does not know
the sign language referred to, but she
never carries her handkerchief on the
street.
Another and bolder method employed
is the conversation card. 1t is eminently
innocent and proper in its language,
and was originated as a source of
amusement at evening parties. 1t is
printed on colored card board, generally
in fine lettering, and the text is usually
some simple request or question, as fol-
lows:
EssI have often seen and admired you.
Would it be agreeable to meet, if so,
when and where? The blank spaces on
the card may be filled in with the an
swer. The whole business is clandes-
tine, and the single card in the pos ses-
sion of the writer of this article was
found in the pages of a book from the
public library, where it had been placed
and inadvertently forgotten.
There are great differences in mash
ers, but the line begins with fool and
ends with q villain. Detroit rost cno
q11b4ue