The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-05

An ugly girl has been telling the world
through London paper how sorry she
is for pretty women. There Is no doubt
about her being ugly. for she courageous
ly writes herself down. "a Plain Girl"
An ugly girl, OF course, has her hard
ships to contend with. but she Is more
fortunate in some things than her pretty
sister.
Perhaps the greatest is the danger Of
being treated as doll, OF being singled
out from others merely because she Is
pretty, and that is the poorest compii-
ment that can ever be paid a woman. To
be petted and eourted because nature hap
pens to endow one with features of the
right shape and colors in the right place
may be considered a triumph by some. but
to earn love and admiration and know lucy
are not excited by personal beauty is in
deed, greater one. Very few pretty girls
can rest assured of this.
Another penalty OF good looks is un-
solicited attention and admiration. The
pretty girl is condemned to be stared at
whenever she Is abroad. and to be the OBJ
ject of sly nudges and audible remarks. 4
the expressive remark "made.up,T and a
pretty set of teeth denounced as false. But
even this is not so embarrassing as the
persistent stare OF ilI-breeding- As to the
plain giri-why, she can walk or ride
where she will with the greatest freedom,
she may dress as she pleases, and, better
still, enjoy the advantages OF self-posses-
sion. so often denied her pretty friend.
Again, the latter has a reputation to
=
show her good points off to the best adj
vantage for she has other pretty girls to
rival her. All her money is spent in the
adornment of her person. in the purchase
of laees ard feathers and ribbons-things
that the plain girl would never dream Of
buying. This occupies her time-and, alas.
her mind. Il is no wonder that the pretty
girl has no time for intellectual pursuits.
that she prefers the light, frivolous con-
versation of her admirers. and grows shall
low, vain and stupid in consequence.
But perhaps the greatest trial the recog-
nized beauty has to contend with is in tho
endeavor to keep her charms intact. A
little sunburn terrifes her, an illness may
destroy her beauty forever. Independent
of accidents. age-a dreaded surety-looms
in the distance like a nightmare. She lives
in daily fear of departing charms and the
daily hope Of preserving; them
Don't for goodness sake, wish you were
pretty" said a handsome brunette in re-
ply to the envious remarks of a discon-
tented young friend. My looks are the
worry Of my life. Such lot is expected
of you. These are the sort of remarks
overhear: Dear me. is that really the
beautiful Miss Smith people rave about?
Well. | don't think much of herr No,
dear; she is going off terribly. says an
other dear friend; getting old. you know.
Why. she must be quite eight and twenty,'
That's nothing to what l have to put up
with
Yet. despite all this. the plain girl will
not regard herself in the glass with any
more resignation. She would be willing to
put UP with any such inconvenience for the
sake Of a pink and white complexion and
a Greeian nose. Such is the nature OF
woman She must be always striving for
what she cannot gain. and is never by any
chance conten; with that she cannot lose.