The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-10-25
Copyright. 1898. by the American Pres
Association.)


NIT the visits of young men to their
younger daughters, see no harm in their
regular attendance at matinees. Thus
many girls gain their first conception Of
love not from real life. but from the
mimic stage. They are thereby led to
form exaggerated ideas of the holy bond
which should unite man and woman.
The mother learns naught of this, and
it is only perhaps after loveless match
on her daughters part and subsequent
divorce that she CLEANS the actual truth.
Sentiment plays a large part in
young girls life, and if rightly directed
can be made to play very important
part. On the other hand, exaggerated
sentiment has caused the wreck of many
an otherwise bright career. Parents pay
too little attention to this side Of their
daughters nature. In most cases the
practical side of their own lives has dis
placed the sentimental. This they are
apt to forget in dealing with their
daughters. 1t would be well if mothers
would occasionally take a retrospect of
their own youthful days, for it would
enable them to deal more conscientiously
with their children.
A young girl brought up within the
precincts of a refined home is like mar
BILE in the hands of sculptor. She can
be nodded at will If only the right meth
DDS are adopted. Unfortunately, as in all
the other walks of life, the sculptor often
proves to be an unskilled artisan. OF
course there are exceptions to every rule.
In many instances individual peculiari-
ties so predominate-as in the case of an
imperfect piece of marble-that the most
thorough skill fails TO produce a result
worthy of the pains taken. Some ma
lures. like weeds. run riot, and time and
care only can eradicate the obnoxious
growths.
American girls, through their inherent
independence, become very apt scholars
In the initiative art. Their peculiar
brightness fits them for an early entrance
into society. 1t is therefore all the more
necessary in their case that their in
structor be a lady in principle as well as
in manner. Let the seed be planted in
time. and the harvest will we'll repay the
tender care which its growth requires.
Two pretty residents of the fashiona-
bic Murray Hill quarter of New York
recently afforded an illustration of pa
rental neglect in this direction. Mildred
and ClariSSa, fast friends, had just
reached the portals of a large uptown
theater. The chief actor in the play
about to be produced was a young man
of surprising beauty-a veritable Adon-
is. At least so thought the silly girls,
who fiocked to see him. The two friends,
having already secured seats in adj
vance. were not obliged to loiter at the
entrance for other than their own
amusement.
From the apparent outlook of things
they considered it very necessary to ex-
anime each others encourage. Mildred
critically scanned Clarissas face and
dress-the former to see that powder
had not been used too laviShly, and the
latter to make sure that every article
was in place. Clarissa performed like
Office for Mildred. They next peered in
to the bag which they carried to see
that the powder rag was all right and
the bonbon box in place. Having salts
fed themselves and each other that ev-
erything was as it should be and giving
their hats a last twitch, they passed
into the great beyond and were met by
the ushers. Their seats were, of course,
in conspicuous place, where they could
see and be seen by the object of their
visit
They believed themselves deeply in
love, as do most girls of a tender age,
and that they We're beloved In return.
1t did not for moment dawn on their
innocent young minds that the object of
their alteration might be a married man,
with a brood of little ones to care for.
So when the curtain was raised and
their inamorata appeared on the stage
the glasses Of both were instantly lev
eled at him.
The man of Thespis. noting the silent
admiration of the girls, as was natural,
frequently turned bis eyes in their direc-
ton. This caused their silly hearts TO
hutter, and the tell-tale bushes quickly
chased each other over both their faces.
The dear creatures did not seem to real
ize the fact that neither one was singled
out but that the glances were directed
to both. This fact alone should have
called a halt I'm their peculiar form of
Irritation, but such is the sweet limo
cence of youth that the girls formed
particularly good butt for the insincere
chances of the actor.
The play over, they stationed them
selves on the sidewalk. awaiting their
idols appearance. He recognized them
with simply slight smile and passed on.
This action on his part but added fuel TO
the flame. for women by nature love to
conquer the opposite sex. Had the actor
openly addressed them and av0wed his
admiration. they probably would have
been quickly disillusioned. The cunning
man Of the world knew better than to
do this and accordingly acted up TO his
beliefs.
Frequent visits of the same nature
were made to the theater. and the same
grotesque byplay was carried on in every
instance. The acquaintance among the
three made very little progress Tor some
weeks when Il suddenly occurred to one
of the blushing damsels that IL would be
great fun 10 send the actor some flowers,
accompanied by little note. In defer
ence 10 their youth the modest spring
violet was the flower chosen. and the
note accompanying the bouquet was very
carefully worded.
This took place on the morning OF mat
inee day, and great indeed was their de-
light when their quondam friend APP
peared with n tiny bouttonniere OF the
little flower. Chances OF acknowledge
ment passed among the three. and thus
the maiden's vanity was hattered. IL
was case OF two delicate rosebuds open
ing up 10 the tender influence OF loves
battery. But the following week the an
nouncement OF the actors marriage TO
l the leading lady Of the company 10
whom he had been engaged for several
months. caused ray OF light 20 shine on
the minds OF Mildred and Clarissa, and
they attended no more matinees at that
theoter.
This sort OF thing may go on for an
entire season and no harm result from
the thoughtless Irritation. In some In
stances. however. IL becomes n serious
matter. and the susceptible heart OF the.
girl gets quite beyond her control, and
she Is ready 10 flee with her actor lover
regardless of home and friends. For
tunately the histrionic artist, whose pro-
fession makes him a man OF the world,
seldom cares 90 shackle himself with the
responsibilities which the care OF the
ignorant young life would entail
Home training can and should do much