Rensselaer Republican, Volume 20, Number 10, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 November 1887 — Street Flirtation. [ARTICLE]

Street Flirtation.

So much has recently been written , in condemnation of the “masher,” that a few words on the other side of the question will not be amiss. While not designing to present the masher as a saint, we would suggest that the burden of street flirtation be placed on the shoulders .of those who justly should bear it. Brazeu as the male street oppears, he will no| often speak to a woman wlp offers him no encourageSent. It vould be poor sort of fun for m to invite attention all day long if his invitatiqn met with no response. It is manifest that the girls are to blame for his presence upon the streets. Let them lay aside their dashing boldness of manner, which they often foolishly imagine denotes independence, but which is as dangerous as it is unseemly. Such a demeanor provokes remarks from mtn and women whigh would make tlie ears of the average maiden tingle with indignation could she but hear them. There is no doubt that many girls are lacking in that modesty which would entitle them to consideration. With these the street flirtation, frequently resulting in acquaintance, is a great frolic; but these very girls would soon assume a manner not in accord with their character could they see themselves as others see them. Very few girls wish to be considered fast, yet they can, by a certain reekJessness pf conduct while ip public places, easily earn the appellation. They may not be guilty pf any crime, but they will as certainly lose the respect of every one whose respect is worth having as though they were. This particularly applies to women who have I'eached or passed beyond the age pf 20. What may be readily overlooked in the school-girl of 15 will not be forgiven in her sister of maturer years. In no other country are unmarried women allowed so much freedom as in our own. In view of the disastrous results of this custom, it would seem to be the part of wisdom to adopt the old world fashion of chaperones. If, how ever, the girls and young women can be made to understand the use of liberty, and will conduct themselves accordingly, the masher’s avocation will be gone and he will gradually disappear from the public places.—Philadelphia letter.