The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-05-16

Low expressions-"slang phrases" as
they are termed-will be one OF the first
fruits. A 'free-and-easy" way of talking
and acting among strangers in the streets
or stores, and at last ventured upon at
home. will be the next. These two most
offensive habits usually 90 hand-in-hand,
and very strangely, unless we look at it
as an evidence of natural depravity, are
eagerly caught up by the young. With
girls, especially, if they are allowed to use
such low phrases, other unfeminine traits
will soon follow; often a coarse, swagger-
ing manner, instead OF the graceful, lady
like carriage, that indicates refinement
and modesty. When girls or young
ladies { p are seen with their hands thrust
deep into the ulster pocket or surtout, as
is now the term, and the derby tipped on
one side, talking and laughing loudly,
walking with masculine strides, they have
no cause of complaint if the rude, ragged
little gamins in the street take infinite sat-
isfaction in running after such monde
scripts and calling: 81 say, misterw They
cannot but think that the attire and man.
ner OF such girls mark them as lawful
victims for their insults and ribaldry.
These reprehensible and offensive hab-
its of speech and manner have crept into
youthful society with amazing rapidity Of
late and are so closely allied to unsafe and
immoral license, that parents cannot be
too quick or peremptory in restraining the
least approach to any such liberties. If
left unrebuked at first, under the impress
sion that, if apparently unnoticed, their
children will soon see the folly of it and
correct it themselves, they will find they
have made sad mistake. Once allowed
to take root, the evil will soon be beyond
parental control, ripening into fixed hab-
its that will be blot on their children
during their whole lives.
This kind of vulgarity carries with it a
seductive fascination to the youthful, I'M
balanced mind, and tends to moral de-
formity, even if it leads to nothing worse.
Such evils, like sin, are at first repulsive
and disgusting, but
"Seen too oft familiar with its face,
We first endure, then pity, then embrace"
BOYS are enticed more easily into the
use OF vulgar and low expressions from
coming in contact with coarse, rough boys,
as they are naturally outdoors or in the
StlNGlS lIOiG lildu SlIlS, dlltl OltCll AOoo
under their mothers influence and super
vision. They are, therefore, in danger of
having the habit fixed before it is sus-
pected at home When temptations are
not resisted and repealed at the beginning,
they find easy victims. If boy is tempted
to indulge in low conversation, and yields,
he will find that profanity is near OF kin.
Girls seldom fall into habits OF profanity /;
but, from lack of proper restraint at home,
too often indulge in speech and actions
which are far from lady-like or refined,
and not many years ago would not have
been tolerated in good society. But Of
late, at home, making or receiving calls,
on the streets or in the cars, this loud,
boisterous, free-and-easy behavior is pain
fully noticeable If seen in little girls,
who should be as sweet and gentle as the
birds or flowers, one cannot avoid thinking
that their mothers have not guarded
their Jewels as they are in duty bound to
do when such priceless treasures are COM
mitted to their charge. If our little girls
greet their brothers and sisters, and per-
haps even their parents, boisterously; If in
stead of 'Good-mOrning," they cry, Hal
loo, papa" or, "Halloo, mamma" and
call to playmates in the street IN the same
rough manner, who will be surprised if
llllS SNN IL lOllOMS llitlLl bnCN SiOh w
and appear as Young ladies'? Referring TO
this unlady-lille manner and mode OF
address, a gentleman writes that passing
two pretty, well-dressed, stylish-looBing
young ladies in the public streets, he was
surprised to hear one meet the other with
"Halloo, Sidw and the other respond,
"HalloO, Tudep % to her friends greeting I;
and he remarks: cit was Just what two
lounging young men might have said, or
stable boys, for that matter. 1t might not
have been so much out of the way for the
latter but / confess it sounded very odd
and offensive in what supposed to be two
well-bred young ladies; as much so as If L
had heard two beautiful gray and rose
colored birds begin to swear. ltwas so I'M
natural. so out of place. 1t may be the
style for young girls or ladies to greet
cath other with an 'Halloop but
can't like it or get used TO it.
These things may seem but a trifle, but
they make all the difference between nice
things and very common things. We
usually prefer sweet, gentle, refined girls
TO those who are coarse and hoydenish.
Girls may fall into this unladylike habit
through their brothers example; but
sisters were given to refine and soften the
coarser nature OF their brothers. If they
Idll 10 90 InlS we Sndll no longer Inu III
our sisters refined and refining compan-
ions, but the coarse ways and rough
speech OF young men in hounces. Is it
not Just as easy to initiate the graceful
manners and refined speech of a lady as
those OF rude, uncultivated boy?"
The same general rules OF correct and
pleasant behavior are safe for boys and
girls or ladies and gentlemen. A gentle
man may entertain the highest respect for
a lady. and be on the most friendly and
intimate terms, but, if true gentleman,
his respect will withhold him from care
lessness or roughness in speech or action.
And no lady who is truly refined will
brook anything approaching too familiar
tone. tits, however, but just to acknowl'
edge that a lady's manner will always fix
the metes and bounds OF the liberty which
may be offered
When boys and girls, young men and
maidens, are allowed to fall into the alb
surdities of low, foolish, meaningless talk,
it seems to dwarf them intellectually; they
can find nothing OF interest or Importance
TO say, and therefore make up for sense by
filling every sentence with needles eXcla-
nations, eXaggerations, or mis-used adjec-
tives. 1t requires much patience to be
compelled TO listen to half dozen young
people, and hear the strange, inappropri-
ate use of language. They will assure
each other that it is lawful" warm, or the
concert was lawful" nice; the sermon
"horrid" dull; young lady is awful
pretty" but her dress "horrid ugly;" the
teacher "horrid strict" such a young gem