The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-06-07
FLIRTS AND FLIRTING.
"WYANDOT DEMDRoP.

think il strange that l should choose for a
anything which by many is regarded so
lightly as flirting. particularly when nv
sister and brother contemporaries are dis
cussing more scientific questions.
My choice is not made because of any
hope that | entertain of rejecting more
light upon the subject than others have
done, as the thoughts herein expressed
are not the result of long study of human
nature but merely differences drawn from
association with some of the men and
women old and young, who have played
their parts in the drama of life within the
range of my personal observation.
With few exceptions everyone detests a
tiirt. But why is il, will some one tell me,
that the application of the term usually
conveys the idea that it's obi ect is of the
feminine gender.
| suspect that some gentleman is ready
with the Teply-"because the fair sex has
earned II and it belongs 10 them" They
may have earned it | admit but if
the term was significant of anything
honorable, am quite sure that the male
eek would dispute the feminine right and
urge and establish their own claim.
Male tiirts are more numerous than
those of the opposite sex, because their
advantages are greater. And the mum Der
OF women so far exceeds the number of
men-at least in the eastern states-tbat
the latter are quick TO see and make the
most, if not the best use of their oppor-
tunitles. man can be a more success
full tiirt than a woman for many reasons.
Women must wait until man seeks her
society before she can exert herself to
charm HIM, and after having once had
such opportunity. she must again wait
until sought, and beneath all her levtv
she has woman's susceptible heart which
Is IN great danger OF suffering from her
own recklessness. She may be able to
dance like fairy. sing, play the piano or
harp, converse upon all subjects intelli-
gently and add to it the charm of bright
eyes and dimpled shoulders, but
to the man IS left the gen.
uine art of fascination. IL requires
but very small claim to beauty to con-
vince him that he ia irresistible, on the
strength of which there is no woman
whom he considers beyond the reach of
his powers. SO he singles out some one
whom he thinks will do credit TO his SUI
perior judgment, and who, perhaps. it
might be more difficult for a more ordi-
nary person to approach, and seeks an IN
none of the little attentions so flattering
to the vanity or dear to the heart OF a
woman.
II she is fond OF flowers, he IL a thor
ough botanist, in his modest wav pro-
nOuncing all OF the most difficult botanical
names with ease and will OCCASION ally
carry 10 her a rare blossom, not forgetting
to pay a pretty compliment with it's pres
entation. If she is fond of music his
magic touch upon an instrument will
awaken harmonies that would hold the
gods entrauced, causing them 10 wond er
whether he himself were not divine, an d
whether il was not quite probable
that the tones issued from the tips of his
well-kept fingers. Should her taste be in
clined toward literature he suffers no en-
bsrrassment, being conversant with all of
her favorite authors. He furnishes her
with books, and just for the pleasure of try
ing its effect, will bend his head a little
lower, look into her eyes. and breathe
through mustached lips some expressive
quotations in which "woman-gentle,
lovely woman" is represented as but step
lower than the angels. Then his carefully
modulated voice grows slightly softer as be
adds an opinion OF his own. scarcely less
tiattering and expressing himself as salts
fed that one of the most charming of her
sex walks by his eide
Foolish little woman! The eloquent
speech, the earnest eyes, the caressing
tone all combine to weave the spell suo-
cessfully ere she is conscious of it, and
she loves.
She forget9 that those speeches have
been so Oft repeated that they are de-
prived of any depth of meaning, she for
gets that each new face is regarded as
afiording another opportunity for con-
quest, and that the light in his eyes will
shine just as brightly and soften just as
perceptibly whether met by blue eyes or
brown, so long as woman, lovely woman,
is the pOseessOr of them.
II she possesses the power OF self-con-
troll 10 any great degree, or even the
average amount of common sense, so
much the better for her. II not, so much
the worse. He has learned her secret and
with a few words OF affection ~ which
he thinks may please her, be seeks q new
favorite and she is forgotten.
The sensible woman persistently BAN
ishes all thought OF him from her mind,
not however, without first censuring her
self Tor her blind credulIty and making
new resolutions as a safeguard against
future folly.
But il she happens to have been endowed
with an unusual amount OF "slcklv sentl-
mentality" she stares blankly at the cold
facts. their outlines still softened by the
warm glow of her own unchanRing sffec-
tions. and in defiance of manifold contra
dictory evidence still sees in him the idol
of her dreams. In vain, in moments of
regret are the reins of conquest wrested
from the grasp of Cupid and placed in the
hands of the more practical ruler-reason.
The latter finds so many Inconsistencies
that he is more than willing to resign
them to their former tickle guide.
sometimes think that perhaps that is
one OF the reasons why there is so many
unmarried women. They cannot give a
whole heart when asked, and are too gem
erous to give only half one.
At least. / think that is a charitable
view 10 take of the matter, and in antic-
patton of being some day classed among
them, il is quite natural for me TO try TO
say something which may prepOssess
some one in their favor. For to merit
esteem and good will has always been the
ambition of JESSIE CLYDE"
New York, June /.