Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1851-08-15
are not going to remedy the evil; they will

n do no good
They will do good in two ways said Aic
G we shall dress equally warm, with only ha
o the weight to begin with I; and then the beaut
: of it 10, we can in a single minute slip on
. pair of dark pantalettes, and be all ready TO ru
t out, no matter how bad the walking and whe
t we come back, minute more will change thei
e again and we shall be nice for the paror with
2 out any trouble worth mentioning and whe
8 1t is so little work to go out, we shall 20 doz
, en- times where now we 20 onoe.'
Just So said Grandfather; that's sensible
, ! am sure and once get you ladies going ou
every day, as we do, rain or shine, we sha
soon have something besides aching heads an
pale faces. Five years would make wonder
full improvement in your looks, III venture t
say
you will never ms Ike the Dloomer notion
it, continued Grandmother.
why not 2 said Grandfather; 1T has GOO
sense in it. Surprising now It was ju 1t turne
about and ladies' had always dressed BIoomaf
fashion, and the change was 10 take up the
tight waists and long skirts; what could you
say in lis favor over the old style ?
Say for one thing said Grandmother tina,
the long skirts Il mean reasonably long ones
are graceful; the drapery falling becomingly
about lady's figure, concealing and yet reveal
ing its beauty of proportion This advantage
would be wholly lost in the Bloomer costume
the figure is too much cut up to appear well
with shawl there must be three sets of dresses
of different length, and this Injuries the effect OF
a ladies height. If Eve had commenced in
that style, EYES daughters would soon have i'm
proved her patterns
Grace and beauty, then, are the strong argu-
ments for the old style, and health, comfort, and
good sense for the nevis this it 2 said Grand
father.
Alice patted her Grandfather's cheek; he
was helping her along nicely.
Not So said her Grandmother, 4 saw there
is golden mean between these two extremes ;
ladies can dress comfortably, sensibly, allowing
the utmost freedom of movement without put
ting on the Bloomer costume
'Butthey never will, Grandmother, said Alice,
'and this is Just the truth, for they never have :;
but in the new style, they cannot wear tight
clothes or heavy ones, and they will have no
excuse for staying indoors because the flag
stones happen to be wet little. Now you
know, Grandmother, as well as do that if YOU
had ulway worn Boomer dresses, and wished
to put on long frocks, you would think it
dreadful fashion,
Grandfather laughed, patted the earnest child
whom he encouraged every now and then by
sly wink of appreciation.
How should look dressed Bloomer STYLE
said the old lady, pulling off her spectacles and
laughing heartily at the thought. Come, your
Grandfather is helping you along in your folly,
let him take It home min te ; how would he
like to see me in black sack and white trou-
sers?'
AS she very nearly filled capacious arm
oh. and s,n
such dress struck even Alice, as irresistably
ludlcrous and she laughed at the idea with the
rest of them.
we might retain the old style for Grand
Mothers remarked she.
i am thinking we shall have to- was her
Grandmothers reply.
Come said the mother, who had hitherto
kept silent, Alice, it is as pleasant as it will
oe to day, and If you are going, you had better
60
of with you said her Grandfather, Twan,
to see how you look
Alice retired, but in short time returned in
full dress. A tunic of dark blue watered silk
was belted carclessly around her slender waist :;
the front of the tunlc 10 the belt was oper, and
laced over an embroidered bosom the sleeves
were also open and white under sleeve was
confined by velvet band around the wrist, lust
meeting the nicely fitting glove The throat
was finished off with small collar and neck
tie. She also wore black beaver hat, with
single feather; the hat was tied down with
rosettes, and from it fell demi-vei, which
shaded the beautiful face beneath it. The
skirt Of the tunc was sufficiently full to hang
graceiuy 1t came part way between the knee
and ankle. The pantalettes were of ashco-
ored silk, gathered into braided band, which
met the top of an elegantly fitting gaitcr-boot
Of precisely the same co or.
Alice had looked in the glass long enough not
to feel surprised at the expression OF delight
which her Appearance called forth on her re-
turn to the parlor. There was no doubt about
it-Alicc looked beautifully.
You little baggage sad her Grandfather,
come here She went readily 10 receive his
caress.
Mary soid he speaking to Aice's mother,
| do not believe it will answer to send her out
al one. ] would 60 with her myself if was
not so lame
She must carry it through, now she has TAX
en- 1t up said the mother who had more than
once been victim to her spoiled chids capri
ccs, Tor told her so to begin with. wish to
have her try these things out, and see what
they come to. For young girl, she has a
great idea Of being wonderfully Independent,
and if she boasts she must act
i intend to- said Alice, willfhlly shaking
her head.
'Tut-tut,' said her Grandfather, patting her
Little h md, you havo only just learned to walk
alone
Alice curled her pretty lip, and with grace
ful bow, bade her friends good morning.
She closed the parlor door, walked slowly
down stairs, stopped once more to survey her
self from head to foot in the glass to be sure
that all was right, walked once or twice across
the entry, then placed her hand on the door
latch. To tell the truth, her heart was beating
fast-she was bolder in words than in deeds
she thought herself older and more independ-
ent than she was, so the bolt turned but slow
iy. Had 1t not been for her mother she would
have returned and begged her Grandfather to
hobble along by her side ; with him she would
have felt safe and strong but she knew that
her mother would not consent TO this, as she had
told her from the first, if she would have the
costume, she must 20 out without him. Sum-
monlng all her resolution with an effort which
brought the color to her cheeks, she opened the |
door, closed it after her, and was out alone a
little Bloomer! Fortunately, not an individual |