Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1905-03-02
BY KATE UPsoN CLARK.

young people, and each of these sets
is generally called by the name of
some young man or woman, who is
the leading spirit in it. 1t will often
be found that the tricks of manner
and dress which distinguish this lead
ing spirit become characteristic also
of some of the humber members of
the circle. Nearly everyone can re-
call amusing instances Of this sort Of
thing. Sometimes, especially if the
morale of the leading spirit is not
what it should be, such imitativeness
becomes pitiful.
In a certain town some years ago,
the most beautiful and interesting girl
was a Miss Hobart. She was slight
and dainty in figure, was always
dressed in perfect taste, read much
and formed her own opinions and soon
became a sort of model for all her
companions.
Now Alice Hobart could yawn, and
could even stretch out her pretty arms
in company, and do various other
things which are not generally per-
mitted in good society. She would
occasionally do such things when she
was carried away with an absorbing
subject of conversation, or N the eX-
element of a game. Everybody knew
that she was unconscious of what she
did, and she did everything so grace
fully that these unconventional ways,
which in others would be offensive.
were in her perfectly fascinating.
One evening, a certain mother In
this town was Mortified to see her
daughter, who was an ~inseparable
companion of Alice Hobart, stretch out
her feet in the presence Of several
young men, raise her arms above hel
head, and yawn broadly. AS this
young woman was five feet ten in
height, and weighed ITO pounds, il
may be imagined that the effect OF
this singular performance was almost
frightful. 1t was certainly shocking
and the mother, in the expressive
slang of the day, nearly "fell over
at the sight.
AS soon as the visitors had left, the
distracted parent burst forth: my
dear! Did you know that you stretched
out your feet and yawned in the mos
dreadful way"
well, | should think did" re-
piled the girl, who was as cross as
most of us are when we know thai
we have done something notifying
but hate to admit it; II wish vol
wouldn't give me another such a lool
as that, mother, when people are here
One would think that | was six, in
stead of 90"
"Your conduct might lead anyone
to infer that" sighed her mother. "',
hope you will never again do such
thing as that in company-nor any
where but in the seclusion Of you
own room. 1t is most unbecoming,"
."Alice Hobart does it often"
81 know she does-but a tiny, be
witching little thing like her can d.
many things which a tall girl like you
cannot. Never try to initiate the per
sonal peculiarities of others, What i
becoming to one may not be to an
other"
This is a truth which cannot be to-
strongly emphasized. How man.
| times have you seen a girl of promi
nence appear on the street upon he
return from Europe or from SOM
center of fashion, with a hat Of strang'
and startling style-and then hav'
you not seen a dozen or more of he
mates coming out later with an imita
ton of this queer hat-to the emf
nent disadvantage of severa! of them
One might almost say that the mo
ment anybody tries to be somebod.
else than her own natural self, tina
moment her influence is gone. Som,
great writer has said: Imitation /
suicide"
This was strikingly illustrated in
girls club not long ago. One Of tn
most popular speakers in this clul
was a plain, sincere girl, whose mod
of thought and mode of speech wer
so palpably and delightfully."- her own
that it had not occurred to anybod,
to try to copy her manne Unles
one could think in just the same wa.
that Phebe Marsh did, it would b
ridiculous to try to speak s%o--for, jus
as in the comic opera the punish
ment was made to fit the crime, SO il
the organism Of a human being, tn
mode of speech is generally especial.
adapted to the thoughts which are t
be uttered. :
Suddenly q new member was ad
mitted, who like all the rest, devel
oped a strong admiration for Pheb
Marsh. ,
isn't she great" she exclaime
in surprise. II v heard anybod,
talk like her. Isn't she bright, an,
isn't abe original!"
But What was the dismay Of tn
club to find that this young woman
after having recognized and admitte