The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1906-10-11
LOVE At A A PENNY A IlNE.
Tho "Asony Column" Of Continental
Newspapers.

| Newspapers.
The great difference between the
English temperament and the Cont
mental is strikingly illustrated by the
"agony columns" Of their respective
newspapers. Here we often have
amusing and affectionate loVe-mes-
sages committed to cold print by
some impatient and despairing lover.
It may be passionate according to
English ideals, but as yet the Briton
has not succeeded in acquiring much
of the torrid ferver of the Continental
| lover.
For instance, an italian paper re-
| Gently contained this passionate adj
dress in its advertisement columns:
yesterday when saw you had not
then received your dear letter. Inn
| agine in what a state of desolation I
had been. The day was to me a Veri-
table agony. I could not discover a
reason for your silence. You may
guess how I suffered. But at last
yesterday evening I again saw your
adorable handwriting. Thanks, thanks,
with the whole Of my soul. Thus, at
any rate, we may part with tranquil
hearts. But when I think we shall
never see one another again my soul
freezes. Write to me often, for I
have need of your gentleness, and 7
have a foreboding that shall sue.
cumb to the pestilent climate of the
country I am going to. And I shall
write every other day to you. To you
all my soul, all my love, sweetest and
| most adorable creature"
It is, perhaps, paradoxical to term
this poetical specimen an "agony";
nevertheless, it Immediately followed
the above rather mournful address:
by your side," begins the lover in
rhapsody, kissing you, gazing in
your eyes, sweetly embracing you, 1t
is sweet to repeat, to swear to you all
my love, sublime, divine, fascinating
enchantress! Mine eternally!"
French newspapers, especially those
! published in Paris, make feature of
, The "agony column" from which they
derive considerable revenue. Lo
Journal prints between 200 and 300
| love advertisements a week, the uni
form charge being 1fr. 75c. (nearly Is.
6d.). When translated into cold Eng
lish they lose something of their rhap-
sodical nature, but the following is an
| exception: "The richest vision Of
thee will be found engraved on the
most profound depths Of my heart.
Have always had faith in you. and
eagerly await news. Ineffaceable re-
membranes" Another lover, less op-
timistic, inserted this: "Am incon-
solable to have to give up seeing you
today. Have treasured such pleasant
memories. All! If you we're mine!
Do not 60 far away without seeing
me. Am sad. and think of thee"
There seems to be a romance underly-
ing the 'agony" which read: "Janina,
45. Ill. Excuse. Impossible to cor
respond direct. Attrocious life! For
got to visit cemetery" The Echo de
Paris, Figaro, L'Eclair, and Petit
Journal, to name only a few, contain
scores Of similar 'agonies" every day
in the week.
The lists reveal all sorts and condi-
tions of lovemsking and romanclng.
One lady acknowledges receipt Of
poetry, but indignantly demands to
know why che" did not call for her
at midnight in a carriage; dozens Of
Apollos confess their ."desolation" and
mourn" their exiles. Every smile
and adjective known to the vocacu-
larry Of love is used with delirious en-
thusiasm. Little cabbage" is fav-.
orite term of endearment! Here is a
recent example from the Echo de
Paris: Little Cabbage! Take from
poste restante, railway quarter, letter
in name Of Jeanne Duval. Ever
thine!"
More romantic Is this appeal by
lady to her inconstant lover: "Bas-
I sano," she says, II supplicate you for
reply. Hast thou suffered? The
last time I saw you so disdainful. My
poor one! You will answer me, will
you not? Love you"
Advertisements lauding commercial
articles such as soap, pills. etc.. have
so far been rigidly excluded from
French "agony" columns. These are
officially termed Petite Correspond
ence." Rut the man in search of
wife, o. I in seach Of hus
band, is allowed the hospitality OF
the lovers column, and now and then
some extraordinary advertisements
see the light Of day. "Rch gentleman
asks marriage with negress. Replies
145, bureau g." appeared in L'Petit
Partisan few days ago. 1t Is to be
hoped that the "rich gentleman"
found a negress to his liking.
Candor is the dominant keynote Of
an advertisement inserted by lady
who describes herself as Young for
eign artist, we'll educated. pretty, ele-
CANT, witty, desires marriage with