The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-03-19
FELIX'S IDEAS OF GIRLS.
WHIT A POWERFUL INFLUENCE
THEY EXERT.
The Reform alton Needed in Society
Methods to Relieve Young Men OF
Unnecessary Expenses

From the highest OF all authority we
learn that woman is the helpmeet OF man.
There are no descriptive aoJocitves In
the divine statement defining upon what
pecnliar type OF femininity the duty OF
helping is imposed. Young and Old. proud
and humble. married and single, IL you
be a woman this obligation rests uron
you.
As wife, mother, sister, sweetheart and
friend there are vast and varied posi-
bllities for the ornaments Of society, as
well as the brave women bread-winners
OF the world, to tighten the burdens OF
life laid upon man.
The lilies of the field, which toll not
and neither do they SPIN may seem 10
have an idle mission, beside the tall wind
tossed stalk OF grain, yielding IT'S mate
rial harvest; but there is a great ana
ENROLLING good which a stainless emblem
of purity may accomplish, and the most
healthfut and invigorating atmosphere Is
that which is permeated with the perfume
of refinement
II ts hard TO realize that the subtlest
influence is the most potent ana enduring,
IL is plain to the eye how mighty "ihu
storms may lash the waters of the ocean
ito monster billows. but how mysterious
seems the perpetual roll or the uuai
Uave as obedient 10 the voiceless COM
nand of the Lunar system II nOWs 10 aHu
fro with infallible regularity.
This Is the great lesson TO be learheu
IN vvonan's influence, that its potency
consists in these gentle. silent measure -
which erect an invisible wall across lne
nath of error. rather than an apparent
and aggressive resistance. .. .,.ho,
In brief, woman is most eloquent 49,
che lives her sermon rather than preaches
Tho society girl OF to-day Is perhaps
oonscious that she is the most charming
and bewitching of creatures, with ne'
,housond insouciant and winning graces'
80 doos she know. or knowing, does she
III, onnreciate that by the force OF these
attractions she is power In the sosia'
world. and hence an influence even W
XCnd I'm broader spheresT ,o-
II NAPOLEON looked to the motne's ~
his generals. then we may look hO' aiOf'o
10 these sacred ones, but 10 eNeIS .he
girl in our midst for our sta,,sI'rn 1-thv
,,nholders OF our nation ana the "Ottn'
s'i,artIane ~ our homes; she the insplra-
ton. they the creation. ho-
with care and gentle though' eS -
chisel and high honor as her Iloue. 81 &c
NOV mould a masterpiece OF ~ -.
n,,t ~ tho nlastic wills and disposiuoiIS
20 ,bose who come to her In the solteI
mood that man always SHOWS !" Wv
revered woman. .Ao scone Of
However spacious may be "he So ,ha
mans ambitions and endeaVors' NV" " he
vista Of his hopes there Is ond
,o,,nd woman as his LOAD star a,u
,,ao the cause for which he oraVrly
o,,.ara llfe's battles. Surely, then' as VI.
.',tding liaht. she should see 70 II TO
.,ara e. no ftful radiance In her shiii 10
90 as a euerdOn she shouiu Do
worthiest OF the worthy ,.o =, q
rrho very prominence and elegance Vi
-, woman in society Is her most
49, resnonsibility In the line OF ne, III
a..once The world for her like CyeiopS'
has hut one eve, and It IS fxed upon ~,
and whether she Wills 1t so OF mo-. ~
unconsc iously erects STANDARDS NO, =,
thew true or be they false WIN s -,
ecme blind followers. ThlS eAer0iSs -. 90
elevating influence needs 10 80, a.
ponderous methods. Such "ouiu - -
defeat the good which siinpllcny ,'ors,i
a(biove for n there be one unlVeis1
%o,e rojr in society it is the prudish pet.,
coated preacher, yclept "goody -Soouy.
And Girls. so surely as you appoint your,
'.ot,,oa the missionaries OF every you"s
van Who approaches you, assuming .ia'
no ha a heather. exacting pledges Oh mn
Nth maudlin sentimentaiity, OF e"l"s
loctures with sanctimOnious SERIOUSNESS
an subjects upon which you are eit.O,
IGNORANT or narrow, the chances IRE "'.'
On a little while you viii serfuoi"S ~
cmntv places and seek comfort IN ldiile,'
.attons over a lonely lot. No. true virtue
% as clad. as cheering, as the very sun.
shine. Woe needs 10 STOW gloomy ior i'S
rurnoses more than nature does III "''
designs. .,k conf.
NV q naturalness and FRANK cum
dence the sweet young woman pecoi.i.,
the trusted comrade or the men "h1 ri,
access TO her guarded circle. ana tiil'
srtrit NJ bonhomie, supplemented by
oentIe dignity. a light-hearted gayety ahc
Svonanly sympathy, makes her a com
nanion dear unto the heart of the sterhei
GOV whatever their mood may be. IL
inns that she Yields the sceptre' ana ne
Lnowine the sentiments Of her heart, th'
nsnt Of her mind, and the standards OF
har life. does instructive homage by o.
Tending no one of her principles. In up
holding he adopts the pure spirit OF lei
conviorious with their uplifting creeds, ye'
so innerceptible has been his guidance
that no has been all Obvious that any
viii save his own has exerted It's power
over his thoughts and actions.
The woman always sounds the key.
note Of conversation, IL 1t be LOUD aho
bolsterous or IL It be refined ana cul
ti,red even so are the strains or ner &c
companist, nor can she boast or prouue'
tribute from man that this inVarlaoI'
Welding to her leadership. IL she ue
mand a reverenun courtesy ana resp
such is her portiod II she be carsi@ss VI
both. neither will she receive ana IN tnI'
failing to elevate In her influence. she per
force expects its opposite. no" grave
deduction this, when not being Ior
cause can mean being aginst II.
Did you never hear young man say
Of some charming girl: why, i Always
feel better for being with herr ms III
defnable power OF purity when even re-
fines the atmosphere surrounding her' Sc
that all who breathe II are under It's spei
is the highest and best or all attributes
OF influence, and is. perhaps, the outcome
of 4 harmonious consistency OF hlgh prin'
cIples. distributed so gently through every
trait OF character that. while no one Is ag'
gressive. the whole is invincible In the
strength OF union. She Is joyous ana sra
cious. firm even I'm her softness, with 9
heart which knows that charity means TINS
canability OF separating the sin from tns
sinner. Her news is not gossip or slander
her wit never sacrilegious; she Is optus'
IN double entendre, deaf TO coarseness
and generous always TO the absent.
This is not the picture OF an ideal fancy
hut the true to life portrait or soou
many delightful every day girls tnat we
all know, and because OF sucn qua'iue ss
L..