The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-11-28

promiscuous, careless letter writing is
the worst; for, in most cases, the dan.
ger is not obvious at the time, and the
writer may even have forgotten her
iInprucence, when she has to meet the
consequences. The romance, the gush,
the having nothing particular to do,
the almost insane egotism which makes
some young women long to exploit
their o:.'n hearts. caused poor Madeline
Smith 70 write those foolish letters to
2 man whos: every good quality she
had TO invent. Snd who afterwards tor
t2red her with these very letters into a
crime which made her stand for months
within the shadow of the gallows- She
had not patience to await until the real
| lover came, and then when he did come
| these fatal letters stood between her
and her happiness and her fair name.
| The very instinct which leads to con-
slant letter writing goes with con-
| stitutional want of caution, and there
| fore indicates necessity for intelli-
| gent self restraint. If young women
when writing letters would only project
themselves into the future and imag-
Inc time when they might be con-
| fronted with the lines which they have
just penned, many an ill-advised mis-
sive would GO into tho fire instead OF
into the mail bag. Indeed, if letters
at all doubtful in spirit OF intent were
laid aside until "next morning" many
q wrong would be left undone; many a
friendship would be preserved I'M
broken and many an imprudence be
postponed ana SO uncommitted. II in
deed, a woman could say, truthfully:
''This letter is my letter. and If mis-
chief comes Of 1t alone lave the pen
atty to pay" expansive correspondence
might be less dangerous. But no one
can thus limit folly or sin, and its con-
sequence may even touch those who
were not even aware of the writing Of
the letter.
The abuse Of letter writing is ono Of
fine greatest trials of the epoch Dis
tance. which used to be protection, is
new done away with. Everyone cries
ont, and insists upon your listening.
They write events, while they are only
happening. People unknown intrude
upon your time and take possession OF
It. Enmities and friendships thou
sands of miles away, seold or caress-
one is exacting. another angry. third
lays upon your conscience obligations
which he has invented. For a mere
nothing-a yes or a no-idle, gushing
people fire off continual notes and in
sist upon answers. Now this kind of
letter writing exists only because
postage Is cheap; if such correspondents
had to pay twenty-five cents for giving
their opinions they would not give
them at all II is an impertinence
also, for though we may like person
well enough to receive from them a
visit. or even to return II, it is q very
different thing to be called upon to re-
tire into ourselves with pen and ink
and note paper, and give away time
and interest which We are not inclined
to give.
Plenty of girls write very clever let
ters-letters that are an echo of their
own circle, full of sweet audacity
and an innocent swagger of knowledge
of the world and Of the human heart,
that Is very engaging. And the temp
tation to write such letters is very
great. especially as both the writer
and her friends are apt to imagine
them evidence Of q large amount OF
Cenius. Indeed, some who have a spe-
cially bright pen, or else specially
large circle of admirers and fatterers,
arrive speedily at the conviction that
they can just as easily write q book.
SO without reason and without results
they get Themselves heartburning and
hcartachs and disappointment For
there Is absolutely no kindred what
ever between this graceful, piquant
eloquence du billet, and the fancy, OBJ
tervance and experience necessary to
successful novel writing.
II girl really has a vein OF true
sentiment she ought not at this day to
give it away in letter writing. There
is safer and more profitable way to
use it: she can now take il to market
and sell it for padding for the maya
zines and ladies newspapers. Senti-
ment and fancy have commercial
value. and instead of sealing them up
in a two-cent envelope for an ac-
quaintarce-who is likely very unap-
preciative. and who perhaps losses
them into the fire with Z cOntemptuous
adjective she might send them &c
some long-suffering editor. These men
know the depths OF the girlish heart
in this respect. and they have pa
thence in searching FOR the gold among
the droSs that is not generally be-
Ieved in. Therefore II girl must
write. let her send hsr emotions 70 the
newspap ers. An editor is far more
prudent confdant than her very dear
est friend.
Really the day for letter writing j.
past. AS al art it Is dead. as CON
venieuce il remains; but it has lost all
sentiment Even Nine de Sevigne
could not be charming on postal
card, and for genuine inforna ton the
general idea is 70 put il into twenty
words and send it by telegraph SC
then. I; is good thing FOR young WON
en- 20 get over as soon a. possible
he tendency Of their years TO sentf
mental letter writing. They VIII thus
save themselves many a heartache IL
he present and many fear fo- the
future. For II they do not write le--
ters, they cannot feel hurt because
hey are not answered. They cannot
worry, because they have said some
hing imprudent- They viii not make
promises in the e1aitation OF compost
lion. which they viii either break or
hate 70 keep when they are in their
sober senses They viii also preserve
their friendships longer. for they viii