Year: 1870




BY LADY GAY.


was startled few nights ago by a
lusty ringing at my front door bell and
as all of the family had retired but my
self, for it was past eleven O'clock ]
went down stairs to inquire the cause
of this unexpected interruption. To my
demand "who's there, " recognized the
voice Of a young gentleman who visits
me frequently. opened the door i'm
mediately and found that the young
man, in question, was looking for his
sister girl of fourteen. When 7 told
him she was not here, he looked annoy
ed and perpleXed and said in an impati-
ent tone. ~ wonder where upon earth
she can be-" "When did you first miss
her?" l asked-''a few minutes ago
he replied "but It's no new thing for
her to be away from home this time Of
night, she goes and comes at her own
pleasure, and mother never knows
where she is. ."


This is but one instance among the
many others that come under my own
eyes almost every day, and when I see
daughters permitted by their mothers to
run at large in this way, it is no wOuder
that society is, JrLnt it is.


do not know Mr.. Editor how it is in
your city, but in the town where live,
the young people, girls and boys seem
to be under no restraint, as far as mat
ernaI solicitude is concerned; l know a
dozen mothers who remain at home Un
concious of where their daughters are, or
what quality of associates they choose.
When was a child, and until I was
over twenty years old, never thought
of leaving home after tea without the
consent aud appreciation Of my mother.


But in this enlightened ~ day, par
ents appear 10 have forgotten the awful
responsibility of rearing children ; in
deed they do not even trouble them
selves to teach muWCrs, much less DlOr-
dls 10 the offspring bestowed upon them.


ann constantly annoyed by other peo-
ples, children coming in at all hours, and
not one of them pretend TO knock at
my door before entering, and after they
come in there is nothing too sacred for
their touch. One little girl, pert miss of
twelve years, is visitor, | dread, for
she wearics me with questions. Out Of
sheer curiosity, | counted once, 10 salts
fy myself that it is not prejudice, and
she asked me twenty-one questions in
less than fifteen minutes by the clock
This is no exaggeratiOu. And this child
belongs to one Of the best families in the
town. Why is it that people cannot see
tlemen dressed to death, calling to see
ladies, and almost the minute they are
seated they cross their legs, or put the
right foot across the left knee, or lounge
upon their chair with as much nOnchal-
ance as if they were in bar-rOOm.
Young men! If there be amy who reads
this, for mercy's sake, the next time you
are in company with refined ladies
d-o--n It cross your feet and legs
don't chew tobacco. Do pray, act
like a gentleman. Sit up like man,
and remember it does not cost a cent to
be genteel. l saw chap, for won't
say mani in a room not two Sundays
ago with ladies, put his foot upon the
CRATE, and spit all over its glossy surface;
leaning back in his chair with the air
Of a Ro'Gdy! l suppose he thought it
looked manly, but if he only knew how
rude and unmanly it made him appear, |
he would have felt like sneaking off and |
hiding until his i'll breeding was forgot
.en. There is nothing that adds to the
dignity of man like polished manners.
know the remaks will elicit by writ |
ng this "RandOn Shot. | see the sneer |
lpon the face of Young America' when
pc reads and in the mirror l hold up, |
;ees himself! l know he will say
Who is Lady Gay " and who cares for /
Ter, and what she says. I'll cross my
egs and spit and sleep OIL the CRATE if I
choose. Who wants to be always stuck
Up oil good behavior? don't care n dog
)n. I'm my own man, yes and ever 50
much more; but for all that my dear
10Y, whoever you are know another
hing too! You can't help remember
og, thanks to a wise maker, the human
mind is made so that like wax it is Oblig-
d to receive impressions, and you cdn't
clp thinking of all have said The
cry next time you are in the society of
aides, in spite Of yomscG, you will re-
member this Random Shot, because ii
IL you, and know when it hit it hurt,
has left its mark, and I know as well
S know that am writing, that you
will do none of the rude ungentlemanly
hings have mentioned, because, (cven
+ your own mothers have neglected
eaching YOU how 10 behave, in and out
{ company you know nor and know
lg, you will feel a. hesitancy, and re-
rain from doing what you are sure Will
,ssen you in the estimation Of some pret-
y girl upon whom you are anxious to :
lake u good impression and after all I
oil won't feel any spite toward Lady {
lay.