The Dawson journal. (Dawson, Ga.) 1878-18??, 1884-06-26
COUNTING IN THE DARK

l H' ABOVE caption might mean a
great deal, says a writer in the
Elmira Telegram, but it is used here
IN the plalnsst sense-just what it
says 1t means--courting in the dark
That society would be far better
morally, if calls upone Young ladies,
by gentlemen, were made in dav.
hght' OF when in the evening would
end at ordinary bedtime. there can't
be a doubt. How often, how yerv
olten' does the ruin of the girl date
Osck to the time she kept company
with gentlemen, after the usual hour
tor retning-after the family had
retired. What good can possibly
come of midnight courtiny in the
DARK? Surely, now, what harm NAV
not come? 1t offers temptation
where virtue is weak; is without
benefit where it is strong. While it
nay, and does, cause hundreds of
young and innocent girls to fall, it
never redeems one that has gone
astray.
There are many very good young
girls who keep late hours and still
remain chaste, bat what have they
gained socially or morally? Nothing
whatever. TO the contrary, they are
at least much talked about and.
maybe, much suspected. Suppose a
gentleman courts lady regularly for
long time. then fJrsakes her. or is
discarded at her will, other gentle
men who might be delighted with
her culture and admire her beauty,
would not marry her, fer that vein
of jealousy which is found in man
kind can be much rufied with the
news that some "other fellow" court
ed his wife for a year or two every
Sunday night.
Girls that wOull be far above the
suspicion Of a husband aud most
fully possess his entire respect, had
better save their kisses and keep
their caresses until after marriage,
lest they waste their sweetness on
the desert air. The seducer asks no
better opportunity than midnight
counting in the dark, with a girl of
sixteen years. What safety has a
girl Of that age with the unprincipl-
ed man of thirty? But when she
falls society lays all the blame on
her, without scarcely casting frown
on him. She is driven from home to
the street, then to the aims house or
the houses of shame he is invited
into the parlor and given the chief
seat at the feast. She is recognized
only by the lowest denizens of the
town. She may die in poverty and
be buried by charity; but there is
not one unkind word for the seduc-
er. The househreaker the highway
man, the midnight assassin, are each
and all better tnan she the vampire
of society, the villain with a soul
blacker than the smutted walls of
he'll, his thoughts by day and night
should whisper in his ears death aud
judgement, and lost soul wave the
torch of hell around his head.
Had | a girl of sixteen and man
of thirty should gain her love and Sc
duce her, his life should pay the
debt OF his crime and when death
comes to me, in the last sad mo-
mcnts, I would not say, with trem-
bling, faltering lips, God, forgive
me- for l have taken life" No; |
would say in firmer, calmer voice,
Lord, help me, killed the wretch
that ruined my child - then I would
draw my last breath with a conscious
pride that 1. had done my duty, and
calmly and unfatering sweep through
the gloom of death | think would
hear, "Well done, thou good and
faithful servant, tI.ou hast been faith
full servant, thou hast been faithful
over few things; wait here for the
coming of they child"