Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1884-07-10
The Moonlight Walks.

To all things there must be an end,
and would like to ask the young girls
of our town If they have ever thought
long and seriously enough oftheir street
promenading, to wonder where it will
end. Girls with pretty faces and
charming dispositions, decked in be-
coming and bewitching costumes are
daily spelling themselves for the stern
realities of life, and making mere bub-
bles of their existence, that gleam and
glisten with the radiance of rainbow,
to burst in moment to emptiness, by |
the mould into which they are pouring |
the best part of their lives, their youth. |
You will all ask: What harm is there in |
being on the street after night?' and the |
more independent will add: this is q
free country and we can take care of
ourselves Yes, we grant that, or your
indulgent mother would not permit
you to pass from her sight unprotected.
Now, may be there is no harm, but tell
me why you take such pains to frizz
and bang your hair in the evening, to
powder the faces that would be natur-
ally fresh and good when lighted by
pure thoughts and an amiable DISPOSE
ton, to don your laces and ribbons,
| flowers and hats, in short show your
self at your best, with the aid of dress
makers and milliners? Now tell me,
girls. You all would scorn the idea
that it is to fiirt; you don't want to go
down town to meet your gentlemen
friends, for if they want to see you as
badly, they know where you live; and
surely, girls, it is not to evoke the ad-
| ,;,nt nf OF
around the corners, and watch your
approach and departure with eyes in
which there is oftentimes more than
respect.
Could your spirits hover around those
whose ewes you please, after your at
tractive attire, or loud laughter, was
out of sight or hearing, you would burn
with shame at the comments which
your presence had evoked. Again you
may meet some gentleman friend; they
are at leisure and the street is naturally
their lounging place at night, they are
waiting for the girls they are sure will
come. They know it and expect it.
They meet YOU, doff their hats in the
J most approved style, and because they
are "tony" they are welcome without
it being necessary to ask permission to
, dCCOHlpdly you, VI oCihS ihNioSu
What kind of company are you accept
, ing? Do you ask that? No, you don't
care, as long as he treats you well and
, you have fun. You will acknowledge
that you care nothing for them, yes
and oftentimes be compelled to admit
their lack of brains or common sense.
t like likes like" Are you willing to
) be classed with the companions of your
moonlight rambles, yes and dark night
StrollS.
1t is to the thoughtless, but innocent
girl that we would speak, the girl who
!. thinks because she is good herself, that
! all the world beside is good, and will
not misconstrue her actions. The street
is no place to display your virtues; they
are best known at home, among your
e friends who are willing to see the best
S side and overlook your petty faults
: No good, modest girl will seek such a
stage for her accomplishments. The
= streets where all kinds and all classes
> mingle good and bad opinions of every
: actress that makes an appearance
: Where you walk up and down in the
glare of the gas lamps and store lights
O. the observed of all the observers, unit
Q your friend sees and edges up with ar
assurance that should be an insult tt
J you; then YOU take yourselves to the
d bridge or some other place with thu
n empty piece of humanity, who call
" himself man, until and 10 o'clock
.. then home. l wont say later, for
don't believe that even our thoughtles
e girls stay longer
le In all the nights you have been out
d and all the different escorts you hav
10 had, how much have you learned
~ When a young lady graduates, we cal
70 it commencement day, because she ha
Or begun life with her mind titled an,
ID worked for the impressions and seed
II of thought and usefulness she is to rea
. in the harvest of her age. She is dali
E to acquire knowledge and add to tn
ol store of precious truths she has gather
ID ed in her youth. Do you add tn
as smallest atom of good to your hoar
I'd after whole weeks association an
- conversation with the companions {
night walks? Does two or three houl
10 of his society benefit you, enlightenyo
So on any subject, give you any beautlfl
of thoughts that you may revolve in you
IS, mind without detriment to your innat
Vi purity of heart, cause you one good n
~ ~ solve for future improvement, or max
'h you see one fault which you may uproot
or | can say with great assurance no Th
r. men who do will not look on the stree
To for q lady companion when he wishes
ht while away an hour. Girls, believe i
" The men who smile at your sallies an
III give you small talk think you could al
IN preciate no other, and even if they pc
Id NIT themselves to accompany you wi
r- be loudest in CRYING down street wall
~ ers, and tell other friends you are ratht
8 boisterous, when you only think it :"
ey fun"
&C. A true lady is modest; modest lad
to could or would not parade herself nigf
he after night on the most frequente
~ streets where spectators are sure to
'n plenty. will not laugh and talk so as
es be Conspicuous before she is seen. Mi
IN ton charmingly depicts her in his "Pa
ty adise Lost" when he says
I'M "Grace was in all her steps, heaven in her eye,
In every gesture dignity and love;
Woman is her name'
,rs She will modulate her voice to low
DIS and sweeter key than is even necessal
10 athome; carry herself with the digni1
that compels respect. "Heaven in h
y eye" so beautifully written, in place
be the bold smile that is searching evel
ial face she is passing. To see a bevy
in young girls and ladies coming along
tu a speed that would shock all ideas
" grace, and at time of night when OF
cn is suspicious that home is their plac
1al cannot but set one to the task of wo
nd dering why they come so regularity.
mt rule they are not seen on the streets
H. C, r,e,Il lrNrN