Democratic Sentinel, Volume 14, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 November 1890 — The Kissing Girl. [ARTICLE]

The Kissing Girl.

No maiden in the world resents an affront with more injured vigor than the kissing girl. She has a code of morals all her own; she knows with minute accuracy when it is infringed upon. She is pretty aud wholesomelooking, otherwise she would never become a kissing girl for lack of ma'terial upon which to ply her art. She is young: likewise unsophisticated. Nor are her kisses to be bought; favor rests upon their gift, for all kisses worth having go by favor. If she were less unconventional she would be naughty. As it is, she is unaware that the spirit of propriety—a powerful genius in its way—sustains a rude shock with every kiss she gives or takes. Her complacency is her safeguard. Fragile barrier that it is, it stands her in rare good service, protecting her from further folly if rude impulse strives to break it down. She is an American production, the kissing girl, like Indian maize or the domesticated turkey. You will find her nowhere in Europe—nor in America, for that matter, save in that form of middle-class life that knows nothing of social distinctions—a life in its way so independent of conventional superiorities that even if it would accept or recognize them its charm and individuality would be broken thereby. At her best, the kissiDg girl is found in certain church societies, where she is quick to express her opinion of a sermon’s merit or raise her sweet voice in sacred song. As a rule she means no harm, and nine times out of ten she does no harm, but, all the same, it will be a matter of congratulation when this peculiarly American prcduct becomes a thing of the past. In France an extensive series of investigations has led to; the conclusion that the sardines of commerce are young fish not yet arrived at maturity, and as a rule size is no clue to the state of development. __