New-York tribune., 1909-05-09
CRAZE FOR NOTORIETY.
Women Misguided Who Deliberately
Seek 1t, Says Nan Critic.

Eff women were to go in for high finance" says
a man who processes to understand womankind.
their failures would be likely TO result from
desire TO see how it would all look in the papers
than from dishonesty.
There is no doubt that many women OF the
social set have great love of attracting attention
TO themselves" continues this critic. ITO have it
nosed abroad that Mrs. SO-and-So is quite original
is the sum OF many a womans ambition and n
fortunately she does not always stop with little
harmless notoriety, but goes the step fsr. which
Is fatal For instance she may have been OF
the first TO adopt the habit of riding astride and,
enjoying the distinction Of that circumstance. she
does It publicly than is considered good form,
for there are times and places where astride riding
is greatly out OF place and TO be mounted
is bound 10 create comment of a serious nature.
Women often smoke merely for the sake OF
being noticeable, and those who exhibit fingers
colored TO a chestnut hue from nicotine appear to
be proud of their stains and OF hearing how they
smoke more cigarettes than certain men they know,
never considering the nerves they are wrecking by
the habit. But cigarette smoking has now become
quite commonplace and SO one of Bostons favorite
bellies tried the experiment long ago of calmly
putting pipe whenever she appeared on the beach
for her morning dip stroll The effect the
nerves of her admirers all that she desired.
and Is averred that the sensation she created will
be preserved forever for the benefit OF the would
be-naughty little girls OF Boston town and all other
Massachusetts cities
still other women gamble for the pure pleasure
they get Of being considered good sports and
plucky losers and they will play for any stakes,
In order to live up to their ambition and impress
casual aCquaintances. Some Of the women who
drive their automobiles speed through the
country roads merely to be remarked upon as per-
feet daredeyils and the news soon spreads as they
desire.
In fact, few Of the seemingly playful pranks
that women OF social prominence indulge In are
really naive from genuine impulse. They orig-
mate in "a desire 10 attract general attention and
for the purpose of gaining reputation for being
odd. bizarre anything one chooses to call be-
havIor that IS open to comment, and comment
that will clirg and grow and mark the individual
for her whole lifetime Originality well directed
Is an Invaluable attribute. but, msdirected. 1t be-
comes a disturbing source from which many
troubles spring. the girl who achieves notoriety
is a serious drawback to the younger sisters Even
when cleverness Of speech is the cause OF tho
reputation has TO pay the cost, for there
are few women or who at some time Will not
sacrifice their best friend to a bon mot A sharp
tongue drives away friends. and playing for high
stakes or behaving in any way that Is not con-
ventionaI reflects seriously upon home influence
that the growing girls will be Stunned because
of their older sisters indiscretions and the family,
not the individual. has TO bear the brunt Of all
the foolishness.