The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-03-17
".

The liberty enjoyed by American girls as
touisbes the English as much as the liberty
Of the English girl surprises the French.
From the age of ls, tie American girli is
allowed almost every liberty. She takes the
others She can travel alone, and 60 to
concerts and even to theatres unattended by
a chapcron.
She Is supplied With pocket money, which
she spends al her own sweet wiz In bonboEs,
s%niclanacks and iewelry. If there is none
left for the milner and dressmaker, papa Is
coaxed To- pay them. She visits and receives
whom she pleases-l mean those who please
her. She has her c.rcle0 acquaintance.
II, at q bail, she meet With a young man who
takes Der fancy, | do not say touches her
heart. slo SAYS 10 him: Il am at home on
such a day, come and see me-" Next day be
may send her q ticket for a theatre and be
her escort for the evening. lie may bring
her Covers. offer her refreshments after the
play. and taso her home in a carriage Ii
America. all this seems to be the most nat
ural thing ia the word This leads 70 no in
timocy. Tor a lew daya later il may happen
thnt be meets the young lady at a bah, AID
sue comes up TO bin, and says: 81 want 60
present you 70 a friend, do tell me your
name. / quite forget it,
Tho American Ghl, who appears to US
French SO giiiy Gad even fast, seems to me
'o act according 20 the dictates Of common
cense. Tired OF the old formula, "a lady
cannot do that, it would be improper" she
says. 81 viii do it. and If ! choose TO do II, It
becomes proper" 1t is for woman herself 10
make the law on these matters "Why
should nor go 70 tho theatre alonei' she says
again. "if your streets are impure, it is for
YOU 20 cleanse them. Why should | not re
ceiye my bail partners who please met II one
Of them were 20 profit by my seeing him alone
10 the drawing room to take liberty with
me- be would be an I'll bred fellow, and !
should have him properly shown out Of he
hou~e, and certainly il Is not for such as be
that | should change my habits"
in trains. where tue seats ire constructed
10 bold TWO persons, you will see the Amori
can =es a place from one end Of the train TO
other before be viii go and seat himself
10y The side Of a young girl he will only do
~ when there is no help for it. have many
times noticed men standing up in the local
trains, rather than run the risk Of incon
a young girl by sharing u seat with
Aud am not speaking now OF gentle
men only but OF men belonging to the middle.
DOT lower. ~class-if the word elias" may
De- Used speaking Of Americans
With what pleasure | remember the young
girls whom / occasionally met al
'arisan parties Ia my youthful days Their
rctty bright faces. their elegance, then
n"onyenllonal charm Of manner and ami
mated. natural conyersation-all these en-
me One never felt awkward with
benz Whereas with a French young girl /
ould generally find nothing but absurd com
10 say. In the presence Of Jon
thans merry maidens ! lost my timidity
nd could chat away with as little embarrass :
ient Us / would with a young brother officer
my regiment
Tho American girl d still without rivals In
artisan drawing rooms, where she is more
ld more sought after Men seek her for her
sycty wit or beauty mothers look favor
lly upon her tor h~or-doilars. the younger
1mcn tear her TO s~hreds-nothing i want
g 20 Der success C
And what spirit there was in their dane u
What animationl What eyes liz up
.th pleasurel Not a moments tagging. 4
ey danced with as much suppleneSs at 3 IN p
e morning as at the beginning Of tho even q
3 And why not. indeodl Such pleasures "
D harmless, and ii Is not because a woman u
s. danced much in her girlhood that she u
)uld lead Der husband a dance, when she Is
one s
rood scholars are as easy 10 discover In the -
'~reation ground Is in the class yoom. The y
'ralty Of a youth Is In direct proportion to
delight mo takes In play; that Of Il girl V
10 measured by Der gayety and high "
VI
shall never forget IA young American girl :,
0 sat at the same table Us myself on board -
steamer The dear child, who was about ~
performed prodigies. | could scarcely DO .
g my eyes. and watched her with never "
.gUn; interest What appettel What a
4c table dhot8 ogroSsl trenbled for our az
ples and wondered whether the company ~
forcsesa tbe daRog,. ~