Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1905-02-24


In nearly every large town there
are likely TO be different "sets" of
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 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 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 in the ex-
citement of 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, 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 her
! head, and yawn broadly. AS this
young woman was five feet ten in
height, and weighed 10 pounds, it
may be imagined that the effect of
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 most
dreadful way?"
well, l should think l did" re-
| piled the girl, who was as cross as
most of us are when we know that
we have done something mortifying,
but hate to admit it; Il wish you
wouldn't give me another such look
as that, mother, when people are here.
One would think that l was six, in
! stead of 90"
Your conduct might lead anyone
to infer that" sighed her mother. II
hope you will never again do such a
thing as that in company-nor any
where but in the seclusion of your
own room. 1t is most unbecoming."
Alice Hobart does it often"
II know she does-but tiny, be-
witching little thing like her can do
many things which tall girl like you
cannot. Never try to initiate the per-
sonal peculiarities of others. What is
becoming to one may not be to an
other"
This is a truth which cannot be toe
strongly emphasized. How many
times have you seen a girl of promi-
nence appear on the street upon heI
return from Europe or from some
center OF fashion, with hat of strange
and startling style-and then have
you not seen dozen or more of heI
! mates coming out later with an imita-
tion of this queer hat-to the emf
nent disadvantage of several of them!
One might almost say that the mo-
ment anybody tries to be somebody
else than her own natural self, thai
moment her influence is gone. Some
great writer has said: Limitation is
suicide"
This was strikingly illustrated in 6
girls club not long ago. One of the
most popular speakers in this club
was a plain, sincere girl, whose mode
of thought and mode of speech were
80 palpably and delightfully."- her own
that it had not occurred to anybody
to try to copy her manner. Unless
one could think in just the same wa.
that Phebe Marsh did, it would b
ridiculous to try to speak so-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 new member was ad
mitted, who like all the rest, devel
oped strong admiration for Pheb
Marsh.
Isn't she 'great!'" she exclaime,
In surprise Il never heard anybod,
talk like her Isn't she bright, an,
isn't she original!"
But what was the dismay of tn
club to find that this young woman
after having recognized and admitte,
the originality and uniqueness, so t,
speak, of their fayorite member, be
gan openly to try to initiate her. TIL
little, involuntary smile, which ha,