Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-07-30
HOW Melen rake. a Rn,h.

From the Lawrence (Mass.) Americana
Approaching the bath-house, the coy
Miss Helen glances nervously about the
premises and then enters. Passing into
the bathroom, she cautiously locks the
door, at the same time looking in every
direction for some stray insect that
might possibly possess intelligence
enough to appreciate her charms. Some
FIVE or ten minutes are spent in examin-
ing the cracks of the door, stuffing the
key-hole with paper, and exploring the
premises for some chance eyeball that
may have been left behind by the pre-
vious bather. She then approaches the
mirror, contemplates herself few mo-
ments, and discovers some peculiarly in
her apparel, while she wonders, Could
it possibly have been noticed by any
bodyG" Consoling herself with the re-
Election that she will correct the fault
before leaving the room, she prepares
herself to disrobe, commencing by re-
moving her hat The basque is then
loosed, then taken off and carefully hung
upon peg; then follows piece OF
black velvet that encircles the neck, and
the collar and breastpin; her watch and
chain are disengaged from the dress,
and placed upon the mantel before the
glass; her two diamond rings and ear
rings are laid beside them, and
the process of taking down the hair
begins. A number of hair-pins are
extracted from one side OF the
head, and rat" is carefully unfolded; ;
the operation is carefully repeated on
the other side; a multiplicity of hair
pins are extracted from the back of the
head, and her beautiful curls, together
with the wire waterfall, are placed on
the mantel; her own hair is we'll shaken
by three or four quick movements OF the
hand, gently twisted into roll by both
hands, and impsled TO the summit Of
her Uranium; unlocking the waist IT IS
carefully doffed, and holding It before
her person in one hand, she again recon-
poiters the key-hole, and tries the door
with the other, satisfied with her secu-
rity, she hangs up tho waist and olsen
cages the skirt, which she gently lifts
over her head, wrong side out, and
places carefully ppon a peg she
then sitslfacing the door, allows one limb
to cross the other, and unlaces her shoe,
repeating the operation With the other,
her eyes resting on the door-knoSs dur
ing the proceeding; the shoes are
dropped gently beside the chair, the
stockings are taken of, aud, after being
well shaken and Strengthened out, arc
allowed to lie over the back OF chair
a gentle rubbing of the feet takes place,
as an acknowledgment of their hero
ism in enduring the recent torture; a
general stretch follows this act; then
the white skirts are unloosed and
allowed TO fall 10 the floor, out oil
which she steps, then picks up and dis
poses on third peg; the eorsets are un-
hooked; and as she takes them of sigh
of relief escapes her; these are also laid
away; the next garment is taken Oft with
extreme caution, while the eyes Of the
fair bather penetrate every crack and
Granny OF the room; but after little
agitation something or another occupies
an additional hook, the towels are now
examined, and one of them spread be-
fore the tub, on which she stands; one
more glance about the premises, and
fair hand is placed in the water to ascer-
tain its temperature, little white foot
is lifted over the edge of the water, but
is quickly withdrawn, accompanied with
the well known feminine exclamation,
Onchl' A second attempt is more
successful, and the foot sinks to the bot
tom; the other hmidly finds its way to
its companion, and the fair form stands
in the tub; another glance at the door,
the knees bend, and after several excla-
nations, such as oh, my" gracious
ouch" ETC., the body is recumbent be-
meath the water; several lneaentual at
tempts to withstand the inclemenny Of
.L:ss ..Ll:ss ssa.;SS=sr, and she emerges from the