EVENING LEDGER PHILADELPHIA, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER J3, 1915.
CULTURE AND SLANGINESS;
SLIPSHOD WAYS OF SPEAKING
Unfortunate Impressions Given to the People of Other
Countries Through Incorrect Phrasing, Gram
matical Errors and Perpetual Use of Slang
By ELLEN ADAIR
$
WHEN one comes to think of It seri
ously there aro few people who take
the trouble to speak correctlyl It's ao
easy ..to fall Into a slipshod way of talk
ing, ana so many peopio
do Itpeople who are
looked up to by their
neighbors as "supe
rior" that unconsciously
their friends begin to
Imitate them, and In the
last resort become as
careless In speech as
they arc.
The sad part Is that
this slipshod style of address Induces a
correspondingly slipshod nttltudo of
mind, "Any old way of talking" means
"any old way of thinking," too.
Of course, thcro aro lots of Individuals
who simply haven't hd a chance to learn
grammar, or tho sequence of tenses, and
all those hundred and one things essen
tial to correct speaking. It Is their mls
.ortune, not their fault. Yet one won
ders If they would not learn better
through a little Judicious reading or tho
attending of a few lectures, or the culti
vation of friendship with peopio of
higher attainments.
Opportunity for culture is greater In
America than In almost any other coun
try In tho world. Where can one find
euci a wonderful system of public
schools, free trainings In this, that, and
the'' next profession, and whero such op
portunities for tho very poorest man,
woman or child to gain knowledge and
education?
Yet Americans give a very strange Im
pression of their culture when they sally
forth to other countries. No ono doubts
their business abilities, nor their thirst
for1 sight-seeing, and generally "improv
ing" their knowledge of places nnd peo
ples?. The money Is there, right enough:
tho, kindliness Is there, and possibly the
culture, too. Dut where, oh where, Is
the grammar?
K'n nnn has ever denied that the Amer
ican slang is amusing: that, It explains
a point well: that. In fact. It hits the natl
right on tho head with unerring aim. nut
at tho same time it too often violates
eviry rule of correct speaking, and,
though It may be very expressive In
America, In other countries It Is listened
to with sheer amazement and with no
little criticism.
The following specimen of purest Eng
lish a "movlo" synopsis recently ap
peared In an English periodical, and duly
electrified its readers: m
"When Walter was a high school rabbit
ho snooped after one old en'igl, to be
his mother. Next h' fcD an an Amazon
who wore a blazer unci wnlkcd llko a
policeman. The she-acrobat couldn't see
him. As a sophomore he was strong for
the nctorlncs. When he was a senior the
tootllght favorites were no longer worthy
of him. He was all snarled up over
the sister of a prof.
"At commencement they were almost
engaged. His father put htm to work,
nnd two weeks later he had forgotten
the lady highbrow.
"He began to net tnoro llko a human
being and less like n college gradunte
He was full of business nnd had very
little time for the Huffy gender. At 40
he w-ns known ns a good
business man, with nn nd
amant heart. All the fair
sex passed him up. Then
he met Violet. She was
a hnlf-portlon, nged IS.
Slio did not know who
wns President, but she
was a cutlo to look nt. A
week later ho began Bend
ing flowers nnd Bitting up
nnd barking when she
snapped her fingers. She
got him nlth a pruning hook, and now
ho's a proud father."
This interesting document Is quite typi
cal of tho speech of many Americans.
Hut Its effect on people of other coun
tries can bo better Imagined than described.
THE DAILY STORY: "Devotedly, Bill"
'Where are the matches?"
Nan stumbled over a tabourctte and
emitted a startled exclamation.
"Forevermore! Eleanor, where on
earth are you?"
"3tand still until I can find where tho
switch Is, goose." There came the click
of a button nnd the long reception hall
lay 'revealed In a flood of light "Thank
goodness, the current wasn't shut off.
Everything else seems to bo. It's better
than waiting- flvo hours at tho station,
anyhow, and we can get a little sleep be
fore' we catch tho morning train."
"Where are you going? Don't leave
mo alone. I've got the everlasting mulli
grubs now. It's l'kc a haunted house!"
Eleanor smiled down at the forlorn,
tlrfd figure on the offending tnbourette.
"I just want to call mother up on long
distance so she won't send the car down
to meet us at daybreak." She lifted the
receiver from the stand telephone. "Hello,
hello? Operator? Why, this Is turned
Oft Nan."
"We could go to a hotel," dubiously.
"Weill wo won't. We'll go right up
stairs nnd go to bed In comfort," Eleanor
drew oft her long gloves and yawned
It "was after 12, and they both needed
rest more than anything after the trip
down -fbjm tho mountains. Nan peered
down tub Hhadowy hall.
"Empty houses nro awful places, I
think, frhey always seem sort ot dead.
Do you remember Tennyson's 'Deserted
HouC?
" 'Ufe nnd thought have gone away,
side by side.' " i
"No, I don't, 'Frald Cat." Eleanor
picked up her suitcase and cloak. "I
don't believe In ghosts or gobble'uns, or
any fearsome things at all. Come nlong."
It was cheerier !n tho cozy bedroom
suite upstairs Tho rooms connected with
each other, nnd Nan rambled about, her
brown Mir In two long braids, and a
kimono wrapped about her, looking at
the girlish knlcknacks and photographs
scattered nbout. It was Eleanor's own
special corner of the house. Ono could
trace oach of her college years by the
books, pennants and kodak pictures. All
at once she stopped short. Tucked into
a corner was one photograph that seemed
different from all tho rest. It was such
a splendidly manly young face that
smiled out at one from It. He seemed
to take 'the whole world into his con
fidence) Nan turned It over and read
on the back in a scrawling, bdylsh writ
ing; "Devotedly, Bill."
Over at the little white dressing table,
Eleanor sat brushing her hair. Somehow
no one' would ever have connected her
with college boys who signed themselves,
'Devotedly, Bill." Bhe was so self-contained,
so rather Imperious In her ways.
At old Brangwalne Hall, where Nan had
been her classmate for four years, the
other girls had nicknamed her "Queen
Eleanor." But Bill did not belong to the
Brangwalne days. Nan knew there had
been a, special course up at Cornell when
Eleanor had left the hall. BUI surely
belonged to that period. And suddenly
Nan chuckled to think that dear old
dignified Nell, as they had called her.
should have had a romance all by herself
with this wide-eyed, joyous youngster.
"What are you chuckling over?" asked
Eleanor.
"Devotedly, BUI."
"Oh, Nell, I didn't mean to stir up
anything '
"Oh, it's all right. You didn't strike
any hfavy minor chord." She looked
down at the photograph tenderly. "He
was just a boy I met up at Cornell last
winter, the very first boy that ever dared
to Jove me. You know. Nan, how it
eeemed as if X always rather frightened
away men, I never could flirt and be
nice like the rest of you girls. And up
there one day I was In tho library nbout
sundown, looking up some references. Ho
came up behind me, and never even
asked permission, just tipped back my
head, nnd kissed the good and plenty."
"Bless his old bravo heart," lnterruptsd
Nnn fervently, leaning forward, her chin
on her hands. "Then what?"
"Then" (Eleanor's eyes wcro full of
tears) ono day I went skating down at
the lake, and the Ice broke through. Ho
got me out, saved my life, every one
said. Mother camo up to see mo then,
and I wanted her to know Billle. That's
about all. You know mother. She sim
ply whisked mo down hero In the sprlni;,
nnd closed the house In Juno tho dav
after he called here. She's trotted mo
around all summer, trying to make me
forget, nnd I haven't any Idea where ho
is now."
"Doea'nt he even write to you?"
"We promised we wouldn't, not for a
year. What's that?"
Both girls rose to their feet with
startled eyes.
"Somebody fell over the tabourette In
tho hall," Nnn whispered, her dark oyjd
wide with dread. "You turned off tho
lights."
"Did you hear that7" Nan whispered,
her face pressed against the door listen
ing. "Somebody whistled, and It was
answered."
"I'll have to break theso shutters to
call for help." Eleanor lokcd about for
a battering ram. Outside In the bare hail
there came the unmistakable sound of
footsteps, a moment's pause and pound
ing on the door.
"Come on, now!" called a deep voles.
"Open up. You know you can't get out
of there."
"And you cannot get In," returned
Elennor -clearly. "If you attempt to
break In the doors I will Are."
"Sure, 'tis a woman's voice," they heard
some one say. "Shall I break In tho door.
Mr. Blair?"
"No, no, wait." The knob turned. A
fhou'der pressed against the door panel.
Nell, open the door, please. I know
your voice. It's BUI."
"Who's with you?"
"Just the watchman. I saw the lights
and thought burglars were in here. Open
tho door, please."
Eleanor turned tho key. Tall and very
lovely she looked In her long blue crepo
kimono, her faco pale and determined,
her hair In two long braids over her
shou'dera like some old-time Saxon prin
cess. Out In the hallway stood Bill, tho
original of the picture, and the old watch
man. "Nell," he cried, "I had no Idea it was
you In here. I've had a room across the
street all summer Just to be near tho
house, and when I saw the lights flash
on I called Sullivan here and wo hustled
over to get tho burglars. I'm awfully
sorry."
Sullivan moved tactfully down the hall
way, testing locks here and there. Nan
had dropped limply Into a willow chair,
with its back toward the two ot the
door. Bill raised two white slim hands
to his lips and kissed them.
"It's so wonderful to see you agnln,
girl, dear. I've watched these barred
shutters all summer, waiting for you to
come back. I won't wait a year, Nell.
I-ook at me. Aren't you glad to seo
me?"
"Don't you know, Billle boy?"
"Listen, dear. Don't let them take you
away from me again. It's providence,
this mix-up here tonight. I've been pa
tient for months. Don't say no, Nell.
I'll be over early for you, and wo'U bo
married before anything can happen."
He was gone before she could even
protest Krom the willow chair came a
contented chuckle and a brief remark:
"Devotedly, Bill.'"
WHITE DRESSES HURT
EYES OF LITTLE ONES
Colored Gnrments nnd Walls
Advised by Optical Society
Convention Speaker
The mother who takes such pride In
seeing baby dressed all In white will have
to remodel her tastes or else continue to
fall to do hei duty by baby. If she In
sists on white dresses for the little ono
sho will be sacrificing tho welfare ot the
Infant's eyes to her own peculiar preju- '
dices In the matter of what Is proper In
infants' wear. Suoh, at any rate. Is the
statement of Prof. Frederick A. Woll, of
Columbia University, who spoko at tho
convention of the Pennsylvania Optical
Society In the Hotel Adelphla.
"The worst color to which baby's eyes
can be exposed Is white," ho declared at
tho optometrists' meeting. And this goes
not only for dresses but also for whltc
papered bedroom, nnd nursery walls.
"The mother who dresses hor baby In
W!'!JC' nl'0WB It to bo In a room with '
whlto walls, or wheels It about In a white '
coach, is Impairing her child's vision,"
declared Professor Woll, "Because of
tho irradiating tendencies of white, con- I
stant exposure to It will lay a founda- '
tlon for ocular troubles. Whlto Is usually .
selected for clothing nnd walls because,,
It shows dirt nnd gives warning when
washing Is needed. We should know
whether nn artlclo Is dirty from the
length of time It has been In service, nnd
not wait until the dirt is nppatcnt. In
selecting colors for walls and clothing i
white should bo replaced by browns,
light tans and greenish grays. i
"Another consideration In eye hygleno '
which shows a menace to the eyesight '
In our method of printing. Virtually all
books aro so printed that tho line of '
type or width of the column Is too
wldo. In reading a lino of print, the
le docs not move gradually from let
ter to letter, but progresses by quick
jumps An eye should not be requited
to make moie than three jumps to a
line. A newspaper column Is of such
a width that a lino In It may be lead
with three Jumps, and Is thercforo a
very satisfactory column."
This Is the becond and last day of tho
annual convention of the Pennsylvania
Optical Society. The session reopened
this morning with n business meeting.
Tho convention will close tonight with
the annual banquet In tho Hotel Adel
phla. The headquarters of tho convention nro
In the Hotel Adelphln, but the buslncsi
sessions nio being held In the assembly
room of the Chnmbcr of Commerce In the
new Wldcner Building. This Is tho llrst
convention brought hero by the new Con
vention Bureau of tho Chamber of Commerce
GIRL "RUM" USERS INCREASE
Mrs. Albert Smith Calls Attention to
Alarming Factor in City
Drunkenness nmong girls of this city Is
Increasing, nccordlng to Mrs. Albert
Smith, head of tho city pollco matrons.
The Increase is especially noteworthy in
the better-class families, sho said.
"There Is something wrong with our
family life," sho said, "since conditions
such ns theso prevail. Tho increase In
drunkenness '.s not among the worst fnm
Ules. but is nmong the best. In the cen
tral section of tho city nny night may be
seen girls In various stages of Intoxica
tion. These girls havo been to drinking
places in fashionable hotels with men
who get them drunk nnd then are
ashamed to be seen on the street with
tho girls- -They take the girls near n po
llco station and lenve them there. One
pollco district's record In one month
showed that thcro were 65 arrests of wo
men for drunkenness to 32 arrests of men
for tho same offense."
Mrs. Smith spoko at the fall meeting of
the Women's Social Union of tho lie
formed Church. She urged the membor.
iu imao ucuve measures to assist
ameliorating this condition.
in
METALLIC TRIMMINGS AND
POINTED TUNICS FOR FALL
IN BPITB of the ap
parent dissimilarity
of the present styles,
there can be no rea
sonable doubt of the
fact that transparent
effects are as popular
as ever. At a recent
opening at one of the
New York specialty
houses' transparent ef
fects were almost unl
verssl, the only rival
being the rnge for
metallic tissue crea
tlons and velvets. Of
course, both of these
were combined with
transparent .materials
In some manner, chief
ly by utilizing nets,
chiffons, Georgette and
similar fabrics as con
trasting ornamenta
tion. Opalescent trim
mlngs of various kinds
are also favored, with
Jet, passementerie and
crystal: in fact, all
possible variations ot
this elaborate manner
of trimming a gown
are decidedly fashion
able. These, however,
are confined to use by
the woman who Is el
derly or, at least, ap
proaching the age
when she ceases to be
able to carry a debu
tant frock without
arlous disconcerting
remarks from her fem
inine acquaintances.
The younger genera
tion has myriad fads
and fancies from
which she may make
up her fnvorlto dance
frock metamorphl
c n 1 1 y speaking, ot
course. There are,
first of all. hoops. Yes,
hoops which stand
straight out, and bend
fn at the front, and
swirl wildly at the
hips, and Just plain
hoops. And there are
ruffles. Take the lit
tle study in ruffles
shown In today's fash-
Ion picture. The skirt
Is entirely made up of
pointed Lucille tunics,
of white silk net,
edged with flesh-colored
taffetas. The un
derdress is made of
tho same charming
material. The bodice
Is surplice style, made
quite full, and gar
lands of moss roses
peep out from the
folds of net. Tho ef
fect Is simplicity Itself
and properly youthful.
SBSSSSSSsW
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tmmamm H
tUkmS '' tamMkmM
HV t x. - $'S m - 1$ I 1 '
nan . .. &rjf s3a st 1 v IH
A
DANCE FROCK
LYCEUM-INSTITUTE BUSY
Season of Big Activity Planned by
Organization
Plans nro being made for a busy season
by tho Lyceum-Institute, tho first meet
ing of which will take placo In the
Kenescth Israel Alumni Building Tues
day evening, October 21.
Music and sociability will be the fea
tures ot tho first meeting. Some of tho
members of tho Symphony Club havo
volunteered to assist at the entertain
ment, and Miss Beulah Hnmmerschlag,
soprano, and Franklin Wood, tenor, of
tho Kenescth Israel choir, have consented
,W
Van
. Orden
Silhouette
Model
DESIGNED to fill Dame
Fashion's latest decree.
A short corset with the flare
design, yet retaining an ideal
Hip and Thigh Control.
Not a confining control, at in the
p few yeari, but a graceful, dote
line thit makes the perfect foundation
for a fathlonable gown.
The control ii also brought Into
effect in the upper part of the model
It has the incurved waist line and
firm support for buit and surplus
flesh beneath
Silhouette Model, $10.00
Van Orden
1304 CHESTNUT OT.
tt-ri
to sing. Refreshments will be served.
The meeting will begin at 8:15 o'clock.
Chippy Sparrow
Wants the Impossible
Out In the backyard garden It was
plain to be seen that something was hap
pening. Billy Bobln was flying around
and around tho yard. Mrs. Billy was
scalding stormllr over apparently nothing
at all and Chippy Sparrow was coaxing
nnd pleading for something In his politest
manner.
"Do stop your teasing, Chippy' Bpar
row," said Mr. Garden Toad at last,
when It seemed to him that he could
stand ihe noise no longer. "What is it
he wants, Billy Robin? Why don't you
give It to him and stop the fuss? This
garden Is so noisy and mixed up this
morning that living Is no fun!"
"Why don't I give It to him?" asked
Billy crossly. "He don't want mo to
give him anything! He wants mo to do
something for him!"
"Woll, then, do It," said Mr. Garden
Tond decidedly. "Do It for him quickly
and stop his fuss I"
"That's all you know nbout It," ex
claimed Billy Robin excitedly. "You
don't caro one bit for my feelings!
"And we won't do It, nnd we can't do
it, and we aren't going to do ltl So
there" cried Mrs. Billy desperately. "If
you want any fuss stopped tell Chippy
Sparrow to bo senslblel"
Mr. Garden Toad rolled his eyes In de
spair. "I see I have said the wrong
thing for once," he remarked. "Maybe
If I knew what all tho noise was about I
could help, but as It Is " and he rolled
his eyes and shook his head disgustedly.
"I'll be glad to tell you what the trouble
Is nbout," spoke up Chippy Sparrow,
"and then you can see for yourself how
unkind nnd obstinate Billy is! In all my
acquaintance with him I have never
seen "
"Here! Here!" Interrupted the tond,
"don't talk about Billy Robin that way
He's a friend of mine! If you have any
thing to say nbout this particular fuss,
say It! But keep your complaints about
Blily to yourself!" Ho spoko so sternly
that Chippy Sparrow hung his head and
looked very sheepish. He knew that Mr.
Garden Toad would allow no unkind
words In tho garden and he should havo
known better than to speak as he had.
Mr. Garden Toad saw how sorry Chippy
looked, so he relented and asked kindly,
"Now, what was it you wanted, Chippy?"
"I Just wanted Billy to stay nnd spend
the winter with me!" ho said. "And
Billy wont, because ho's afraid of tho cold
and tho storms and I think he might
stay and try It at least!"
Before Billy or Mtb. Billy had time to
speak the toad began laughing, and he
laughed and laughed till finally Billy and
Mrs. Billy and oven Chippy himself joined
in just to bo in stylel "Billy can't stay
north," cried the tond, when he at last
shook the laughter tears from his eyes.
"Robins have to go south I thought
everybody knew that!"
Copyright Clara Ingram Judson.
Samuel F. Nixon Has Birthday
Samuel F. Nixon, a theatrical manager.
Is celebrating his birthday today at his
home in Atlantic City. Although it may
be noted that the manager's natal day
is the 13th, the sign of a "hoodoo" Is
yet to be seen In connection with any
of his enterprises. Nixon Is a power in
theatrical affairs here, being managing
director in tho Broad, Garrlck and Forrest
theatres. Disagreeing with other author
ities, Nixon prophesied a banner year
for the stage, even in the face of the
serious Inroads that the moving picture
was making on it.
WEST PHILADELPHIA
BABIES STAR BIG SII(
17.At!nn4- "1..1-, .
xhW,w vuLusc and Bc3T
""OD,iU Auuuuaiers TJhief
x- uumre oi carnival at
60th and Market
Tho prettiest bahle. ti.
..... ... ...".::.'. " tmest. mz
West" Ph..ade.ph.a"alr1Th?g g
petted and cuddled today for thf"1'
and open-air baby show of th cnJfff1
Market Streets Business jw! 5?lh
JJon. annua, carnival, which" oUeTgj
With decorated coaches, more t. H
uvn" c Laiuun at with am.1 -"a
streets at 2 p. m.. Ughty ,?''
gifts of candy which WhSKS
to kcoD them In lln .. ...'.""'Il
,. ... ---.-..-. -..is, 1I1I.-1T
wagee, wne or the
n
nsUlnlill.-i. . VM
.lent. Is chairman of the commltteTt
judges. Twenty-flvo prliM ili -
awarded. wul iH
Mayor Blankenburg. Directs r,..-!
SS?:...m.ci",a "e " 'om?.
Market street west of Mth .t.. '?"
rorf night, when there i be ,,-25
dancing, with threo bnnd. a -.L,'i
will be held Thursday night. FrMav9?
Saturday will bo tag davJ ? i JvY'1!
tags, with lucky numbers will bodi.VS
uted for prize, ranging Worn a ffiSS
cigars to a 1 vo bull pup and hav3??
aggregate value of 500. Tho new itC
has already been bantlien" ?&
Charley Chaplin parade . '.
which were held last night.
dancts
What of the Stvles?
What of tho styles for nrt .......I
What sort of hats shall w. ,...i!lJ
What modes will show signs ot rei2l
What shall wo do with m.r ,i.. -SJ
What Btartllng dance will enthrsllW
What new disease must befall us? J
What sort of clubs will hnM . It
What band of now microbe will hurt !5!
Whnt fnrme,. fnln,. . -j",... Urt HJ
What now reforms will divert us?
What shall we try to uplift?
-The Club FtfloirS
BABY MILE
(Dr. Gaertner's modtflcatloni)
Ideal at Weaning Time N
Highest grade milk carefully modi-'
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tho normal baby's needn. Fresh diilr
In 0 oz. nursing bottles at S cents.
Best and snfestl It will help to
keep baby -well! Trlnted matter with'
valuable hints on feeding mailed free
on request.
Ask your physician,
Abbotts Alderney Dairies
81ST & CHESTNUT 8T8.
Phone Baring 205.
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The Original
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