The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1893-08-02
woMEN ANp CHEWING GUM.

~ Growing Upon the Fair Ones.
A philosopher has explained in
The Sun the buying of chewing gum
by men on the theory that they get
1t for girls. AS rule, that may be
so, since most of those addicted to
chewing gum seem to be women.
But undoubtedly it is to some extent
masculine habit also. Several men
prominent in public affairs are re-
ported as gum chewers.
AS practiced by women, we regret
to say, it shows no signs of decline,
even if it has not actually become
more prevalent. A very large part
of the penny y-in- -the-slot machines
still turn out chewing gum, and OBJ
servers in the street cars, on the ele-
waited roads and even at the thea
ters tell US that of late they have
discovered indications that its use by
women is extending at an alarming
rate. After having fallen off from
its first prevalence apparently, they
report, If now seems to be reViyinp
and to be more frequent than ever.
The habit, they say, is not confined
to girls. but has obtained strong
hold on matrons also, and many of
them women well beyond the period
of youth.
This is very remarkable, consider
ing how careful women are of appear
ances and especially to make the
most of their own good looks, since
nothing detracts more from beauty
than the continual movement of the
jaws in chewing gum. 1t takes
away the charm from the prettiest
girl, yet she will go on with her pub
lie gum chewing without the slight
est apparent consciousness that she
is distorting her features. At any
rate she is careless as to the matter
The practice seems to breed in her a
curious Indifference to masculine
favor. AS she cbews she seems to
be absorbed in the chewing to such
an extent that the natural feminine
instinct of pleasing is stified in her
Sheappears to have reached the pass
where, if she have the solace of
chewing gum, she can get along
without mems admiration for the
time being, and that time is nearly
continuous, since she chews almost
incessantly, we are told, in her mo-
ments of activity and in her inter
vals of leisure.
1t is observed, too, that men, hav-
ing no other resource, are humbly
accommodating themselves to this
distracting gum chewing habit of
women. Instances are reported to
us where men have actually been
seen making love to girls who were
chewing gum. Poor fellows, they
had to be content with the share of
the maiden's interest which was left
over from the gum chewing. Un-
doubtediy, too, in order to win ia
vor, they even supply the gum to
the girls, though it is for them so
distressing rival and SO great an
obstacle to the concentration of
thought requisite for lovemaking.
According to recent and very in
telligent estimates, as many as one
tenth of the human family indulge
in chewing the betel nut of the
east This betel nut, however, seems
to have some intrinsic potency as a
stimulatiye of the digestive organs,
or so itissurmised. Butts there any,
thing pleasurable or useful in chew
ing gum beyond the mere exercise of
the jawsl What, then, is the philos-
ophy of this recent American habit,
for IN its prevalence it is new, and
why should it have so pernicious a
fascination for women especially,
though itmars their beauty and thus
violates the dictates of the universal
instinct of women to enhance their
charms for the captivation of mascu-
line admiration2-New York Sun.