Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1890-03-26
HOW 10 sE ATTRACTIVE.

A Really HomeIy Woman May BE TOss
Entertaining and Favoritc.
| There is an old saying that 10 become
beautiful one must never look in q mirror.
1 remember reading this maxim in q fairy
tale book when young and credulous enough
to interpret things literally, writes "Selenen
in the Baltimore American. My youth did
not counterbalance my natural feminine
vanity. Ilonged to be beautiful, because
in the fairy tales the beautiful maidens
were always the ones about whom ali the
interest hung. So I determined ], too,
would follow the injunction laid down by
the godmother.
Stunned the looking-giass studiously
and so pointedly that my older sisters re-
marked the sudden change. Iremained un-
communicative and altered my tactics. ]
stood before the mirror with my eyes closed
so as to mislesd them. One day I forgo
and opened my eyes. when loi instead OF
beholding long, shining ringlets, milk white
skin and star-lil<e eyes, such as had reward
ed the girl In the story book, my own plain
little face looked at me In grieved surprise
from the mirror. was, indeed, q sorry
enough sight with my frill awry, my hat on
exactly backwardsi And this, after my ef-
forts of weeks. Twas then 1 learned that
''the world was hollow and my doll was
perience was not without its influence on
my character. became q small cynic.
Now have learned the true meaning Of
the fairy tale.
The world Of women pays too much heed
to its looking-Rlass-the mere physical
beauty is gazed upon and thought of to the
neglect of all else, because there is a popular
belief afoat that only beautiful women are
attractive. Women who are plain, beyond
all possibility OF ever becoming handsome,
still devote their time TO their personal
adornment, under the impression that by
so doing they will become better looking
and more charming, when in reality il they
would turn their backs upon their mirrors
they might indeed far outshine the beauti-
full women around them. If they would de-
vote the time they now waste in vain en-
deavors for physical improvement to culti-
waiting their minds, improving their man
ners and conversation, they would ind like
the maiden Of the fairy tale, that the mirror
was "a delusion and snare"
The most attractive women in society to-
day are not the acknowledged beauties in
many instances Often we see the homeliest
girl in an aSsemblage the recipient Of the
most tavors, because of her bright manners,
her brilliant conversation, or her keen wit.
Such one reigns supreme when the in.
sipid beauty Of the season is no longer ad-
mired Beauty is of itself attractive; 1t
pleases the eye and charms the beholder
for awhile, but beauty alone will not make
woman popular.
Women are much like flowers; the ones
that have beauty and mind, we'll cultivated,
are like the flowers with beauty and fra
grance-they are never-ending sources Of
delight Others are fair to look upon, but
close inspection discovers thorn. The
third kind are like the homely wall flower,
neither handsome or graceful, but so full Of
sweetness that to be near them is joy inex-
pressible. So many girls, who are brought
up with the knowledge that they are gifted
with forms and faces of unusual loveliness,
depend too much upon these advantages for
their success in life. They never realize
the necessity Of applying themselves to the
acquisition Of knowledge; they grow to
womahhood with meager edncatioDs, no &C
complishments, and much exaggerated
opinion Of their charms. The result is that
they enjoy only for brief time the prestige
for which they ale so ambitious.
Some of the plainest women ever knew
were the greatest rsvorites. Their presence
in a room was the signal for good humored
enjoyment. Time never tagged when they
were of the party. The lack Of mere facial
symmetry was forgotten when under the
spell Of their genial influence. 1t is not un-
usual TO see o handsome man welded to q
homely woman. We have all heard, and
perhaps made the remark, "Why, what did
such good-looking man ever see in that
woman to lovel" We are thinking of only
outward appearance, when, in truth, the
character OF such a woman may be 80 love-
ly and attractive TO those who know her that
none would have her different if they could.
1t is great pity when girl allows herself
to grow discontented and unhappy about
her looks. When this is the case it is time
for her to heed the fairy's warning and
shun the mirror by thinking less Of appear
ances and more Of other things.
know most attractive girl, who is far
from pretty. heard her once say in reply
TO a remark that she was always so jolly
md pleasant: "Yes, have to be so or be
considered a nonentity, for you know l
haven't Madge's beauty to take me over
dull places" And this plain girl, by her
own efforts to please, succeeded in winning
friends and warm admirers on every hand.
She realized her lack Of beauty, and know
ing that she could never remodel the phys
iognomy God had given her, she bent her
energies In another direction, and made the
most of the heart and mind which it is pos
sible for all TO develop and improve. In
Europe to-day the Princess Metteruich is
always greeted with enthusiasm and ad-
miration because OF her gracious and win
ming manner, although she is universally
considered one Of the homeliest women In
society.
All women are capable of being attractive
II they would only exert themselves SUM-
cientiy. There is where the charm Of the
homely woman lies-in her desire to make
the most Of her C pabilities. Realizing that
she has no beauty Of feature, she turns her
attention to becoming a tine conversational
ist "a most delightful accomplishment, by
the way), q brilliant musician, or making
the best Of whatever happens to be her spec
ial talent.