The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-11
Dorothy Dir'S Letter Bor
Can Young Girl Go With Fast Set Without Becoming Contaminated p-Popularity At Seventy-The Cir Who Cannot Convince Her Sweetheart Of Her Love

l Dear Miss Dix: Will you please advise me about what kind of boy | and girl company I should keep to be respected? Should I go with girls that are talked about? l am just a poor, ignorant, little country girl in her early teens. and I will thank you so much if you will tell me what to do. ESTHER. A very wise man said long ago, Esther, that a man is known by the company he keeps. And it's true, be- cause we all just naturally gravitate toward other people who think, and feel, and act as we do. Thieves pal with other thieves. Vulgar, coarse people find other vulgar coarse peo- pie most congenial. High-minded men and women seek other high minded men and women for their companions.
 So you see it's pretty safe to judge people by their associates When you see a boy a member of tough gang you won't be far wrong if you set him down as a hoodlum; and when you behold a girl running with fast set, to assume that she is a pace maker herself.
 r This is why it is so important for ! a young girl, in choosing her associ- ates, to pick out the right kind. They
 
 [ Ebelieves her to be.
 If you go with boys and girls whose conduct is a scandal in the community, be sure your name will be rolled over the tongues of the gossips along with your friends. You will not escape, though you may have been as discreet as Caesars wife. and are as innocent and pure as the Snow Maiden. You will be known by the company you keep.
 And you cannot touch pitch with out becoming defiled, Esther You cannot walk a muddy road and keep your skirts clean. You cannot asso- ciate with fast girls and boys with out becoming sporty yourself We all unconsciously take on the attri- butes of those about us We acquire the accent, the tastes and habits of those with whom we associate.
 You may be shocked at first at a smutty story, but if the people with whom you live are given to that form of wit, you soon cease to blush and get to telling broad jokes yourself. You may be mortified at the liberties girls let boys take with them, but if all the girls do it.. you actually come to think that your first reaction dSdilSl IL was pruuery, ana not maidenly modesty, and you can see no harm in a kiss yourself.
 So little Esther, chose your friends very wisely and carefully. Select the nice, sweet, wholesome young girls who are not talked about, and the fine, clean boys for your friends and playmates. You will be glad, not ashamed, to be classed with them and judged by them. And you will get only good out of their company
 Here's a good rule to use in pick ing out your associate: Never go with a boy whose conduct or conver- sation makes you blush Never go with a girl for whose conduct you have to make apologies or for whom you have to make excuses to other people. DOROTHY DIX. .
 Dear Dorothy Dix: Why is age looked upon as a disgrace? Why are we ashamed of being old and lie about our age? Why does no one not even old people themselves-like to have old people about? Why are old people made to feel that they are looked upon as burdens. and regard ed as bores, and why does everyone who has to talk to an old person look as if he or she were going through a martyrdom?
 Don't tell me that these things are not true. because I know better. am an old man, but I am not senile Nevertheless, I can perceive that younger people avoid my society as if I were the Ancient Mariner. and I can but admit that I. in my turn, escape that of my elders if I can.