The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1871-05-18
THE ALL ABSORBING TOPIC.

From the Prairie Farmer.
To any thinking person who spends a
few moments occasionally. in company
with halfa dozen maidens or matrons,
the conversation would give the impress
sion that the one thing needful for the
happiness of womapkind is to De able to
dress in the most stylish" manner; in
fact, it would seem that the chief end Of
woman is attained when she is arraved in
inpumerable ruff1es, founces, folds, puffs
and tucks, with panDier and chignon in
due proportions.
Recently at a church Sociable the
cLief topic of conversation among the
married ladies. was the length of over
skirts, the number and width of ruff1es,
and size Of bows and chignons / doubt
not that each one of the sisters went
away feeling that it was good to be
there" for now she knew precisely how
her friends were going to have their
spring suits made, and she should have
hers just like the "most Stylish" only "a
little more So" Not word was spoken
in regard to any literary work, naught
but the work of the dessmaker filed
their brains. No word Of sympathy was
uttered for those suffering ones who once
thought of their apparel, but now wish
to wear only 'sackcloth and and ashes"
O, France! O, Paris! thou who once
didst lead in all that is light and gay,
how thou art changed! thy light is
turned to darkness thy gaisty gloom
o, woman of America why will you not
train up your daughters for higher,
nobler duties than serving the Goddess of
Fo In, na IF ho,
age by which they are enslaved, no time
is allowed for any mental culture after
they have attained an age when
such culture Is appreciated. From the
cradle to her teens, the dress of the
daughter receives only the anxious care
of mother; but no sooner does the
maiden place her foot on the Threshold
of womanhood, than the glitteriDg chains
of fashions queen, are cast about her !;
and once IN her service no chance is left
for further improvement of that part
which livetb forever and ever. And so
the soul is stifed, and crampeG and
dwarfed, that the body may be clad in
fine raiment, decked out in all the adorn-
ments which so dazzle the eyes of the
poor unfortunate. And, alas; how often
is life itself sacrificed to this cruel mis-
t IS. Like the poor moth lowering
around the candle, the victim is bcwild
cred, loses all thoughts of consequences,
and rushes on with the giddy throng till
the vital spark is ext1nguished The
pnblic and the preacher exclaim, "A
special dispensation Of providence the
physician might say caused by tight
lacing, improper apparel, and excitement"
0 Mothers! teach your daughters that
the "body ia more than raimen5" Make
thelh think there is work for them to
do; that they must be help to their
parents, instead of burden; and then
they may be help-meets to their hus-
bands, instead of butterflies, toys, play
things. Tell them that birds OF gayest
plumage sing little; let them feel that in
a neat simple attire with well cult
waited mind they will win the esteem of
all true men and women Teach them to
study the book of fashion less, and the
book of nature more, then will they rise
UP and call you blessed, and in the future
they will make true workers in the
broad field of humanity. A. WOMAN.