THE DUTY OF GIRLS. 



By ENOCH DIXON. 



There are almost as many varie- 

 ties of girls In the world as there 

 are individuals. No two are ex- 

 actly alike, yet, if we dispense 

 with the finer distinctions which 

 would prompt a sub-division of the 

 groups, there are but a few general 

 classes. The distinction between 

 these classes is vague, however, 

 and while they are in a measure 

 opposed in character, disposition 

 and inclination, yet one class is 

 really synonymous of the others. 

 The fact is, and we would not have 

 it otherwise if we could, girls are 

 girls. One may be petite and 

 vivacious, hence attractive to some, 

 while the power of another may be 

 in her obesity and timidity. The 

 gift of verbosity, even without rea- 

 son or logic may insure "the popu- 

 larity of one, while her taciturn 

 sister may have equally as large 

 and as earnest a following. The 

 society butterfly has a no more 

 faithful or devoted cavalier than has 

 the girl who is a product of the 

 slum; the maiden who goes out to 

 domestic service is loved as hon- 

 estly as the woman who has gained 

 fame in art or music. The girl who 

 teaches a Sunday school class and 

 lives a goodly life may be an old 

 maid when her frivolous friend is a 

 wife though the man who chose 

 her may not have used commenda- 

 ble discrimination in making his 

 choice. 



There is a natural law which 

 causes like to seek like, and another 



ess commonly enforced, which 



forges a chain of friendship be- 

 tween the antonyms of character. 

 Generally a girl can be judged by 

 the company she keeps, but some- 

 times that standard of measure- 

 ment is at fault. The frivolous 

 may consort with the sedate and 

 each find pleasure in their inter- 

 course the lewd may attach itself 

 to virtue without revealing itself 

 except to discriminating judges of 

 character, but such cases are rare. 

 They are common enough, how- 

 ever, to prompt caution and charity 

 when passing judgment. 



Viewed from the standpoint of 

 worldly wisdom, it is a happy pro- 

 vision of nature that there is a de- 

 mand for all kinds of girls. The 

 rabble takes what comes its way, 

 careless of character, education and 

 qualifications. Those of the middle 

 class demand virtue and some edu- 

 cation, but ask little else. The 

 better class is content only with a 

 combination of all the graces 

 womanly virtue, developed intelli- 

 gence, housewifely qualifications, 

 amiability and personal grace. 

 Because of their standing in society 

 and before the world the people of 

 this latter class, being in demand 

 as husbands, have first choice 

 among the marriagable girls and 

 can place the standard where they 

 will. They leave that which does 

 not meet their approval and the 

 middle class has second choice. The 

 culls, if you please, go to the 

 rabble. 



The girl, then, practically choses 



