Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1889-10-19
For THE HERALD.
THE EVILS OF FLIRTING.

THE EVILS OF FLIRTING.
The ostensible object of courtship is
the choice of companion; for no
other object should any intercourse
having the appearance of courtship be
permitted or INDUCED in. 1t is a
species of high handed fraud upon an
unsuspecting heart, worthy of the
heaviest penalty of public opinion or
law. The affections are too tender
and sacred to be tri6ed with. He who
does it is wretch he should be
ranked among thieves, robbers, vii
lains, and murderers. He who steals
money steals trash, hut he who steals
affections without the return of SINH
lar affections, steals that which is
dearer than life, and more precious
than wealth. His theft is a robbery
of the heart.
Flirting is horrid outrage upon the
most holy and exalted feelings of the
human soul, and the most sacred and
important relation oflife. 1t is vul-
garism and wickedness to be compar-
ed only to blasphemy. 1t had and
still has its origin in the basest lust.
The refined soul is always disguised
with it. 1t is awfully demorallzing
in its tendency and low and base in
its character. 1t is true, many handy
their low jokes upon this matter, in
thoughtlessness, but if they would
take one moments sober reflection
upon it, they would see the impro-
priety of TESTING about the most deli
cate, serious and sacred feelings and
relations in human existence. The
whole tendency of such lightness is to
cause the marriage relations to be
lightly esteemed, and courtship to be
made round of low fun and frolic, in
which every species of deception is
endeavored to be played off. Until it
is viewed in its true light. in that
earnestness which the subject de-
mands, how can courtship be any
thing else than grand game of hypo-
crisy, resulting i'll wickedness and
misery, the most ruinous and deplor-
able.
There is much trifling counting that
results in such calamitOus consequent
ces; carried on sometimes when the
young lady means nothing but present
pleasure, AMI sometimes when the
young man has no other object in
view. Such intercourse is confined
mostly to young men and women be.
fore they are of age. 1t is crying
evil worthy of the severest censure.
A case recently tried in which the
young lady recovered damages for a
breach of marriage contract, the Gu
riosity of the thing is this, the judge
charged the jury that no explicit
promise was necessary to bind the
parties to marriage contract, but
that long continued attentions or in.
timacy with such female was good
evidence of intended rnatrimony as a
special contract. The principle of the
case undoubtedly is, that if the man
did not promise he ought to have done
so. The law holds him responsible
for the non-performance of his duty,
a most excellent decision, we recon-
mend to your honor. If there were
more such cases there would be less
flirting.
One of the meanest things young
man can do,-and it is not at all un.
common, is to monopolize the time
and attention of young lady for
year or more without any definite OBJ
ject, and the result is that other gen.
tlemen absent themselves from her
society. This selfish dog in the man.
ner way of proceeding should be dis
countenanced and forbidden by all
parents. 1t prevents the reception of
eligible offers of marriage, and fastens
upon the young lady, when the ac-
quaintance is finally dissolved, the un-
enviable and unmerited appellation of
a firt. Let all your dealings with
women. young men, be frank, honest
and noble. That many. in whom ed
ucation and position in life would
warrant our looking for better things,
are culpably criminals on these points,
is no excuse for your short comings.
That woman is often injured or wrong
ed through her hottest feelings, adds
but blacker dye to your meanness.
One rule is always safe, treat every
lady you meet as you wish another
man to treat your innocent, confiding
sister. SNICKLEFRITIs