Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-07-23
4" Pretty, Don't Hurt"

THE front hair is worn in crimps.'
So says d-LG-m0de, and Of course my hal1
must be crimped; so | twist it in and
out, and around the hair-pins, until the
roots are nearly twisted out of my head.
know it cuts and ruins the hair, bat one
might as well have no hair at all as to
wear it out of style. There is no telling
the number of false braids, and topsys,
and chignons, and curls, and combs, and
hair-pins that is piled on the top of ones
head nowadays. [ am sure my scalp
must be as thick and strong as the lid to
a cast-iron stove, or it would have been
crushed in long ago.
But pretty, don't hurt" | ought to
stand it if other people can!
And here are my shoes-they are hall
size at least too small for me. L
ordered them to be made so. Who
wants to 60 dumping around in shoes
large enough for giantess? A pretty
tight lit, it is true; doubtless they will
give me corn fit, too. But these French
heels are lovely! nearly two inches in
height, and not larger around than a
quarter OF dollar. l expect they will
trip me up some day and nearly break
my neck. But, goodness me. one must
run the risk of having ones neck broken
for the sake of being fashionable.
And now for the new gloves. Like my
shoes, | confess they are very small; but
they must go on if every finger is put out
of Joint in the attempt. If there is any
thing that [ do despise, it is a loose,
wrinkly-ftting glove. Then push and
pull, and tug and stretch. There is moth
ing like patience and perseverance in an
undertaking of this kind.
There! one glove is on, at least, and
now for another tug in order to get it
buttoned. 1t is accomplished at last,
and nv wrist aches with the pressure ;
but it will soon be numb, and [ shan't
feel it. [ declare | hardly know my own
hand, it looks so small and genteel! No,
no; pretty, don't hurt"
But here comes the dressmaker to fit
my new dresses. All! there is nothing so
charming as handsome bonnets and
dresses. Talk about the beauties of ma
ture, the bewitching strains of music, or
soul-inspiring elOquence; why, they are
not to be compared with the pleasure one
receives in gazing at a new dress or a
tiny shell Of a bonnet, although the lat
ter may engender catarrh or invite sun
stroke.
Then it is so pleasant to stand hour af-
u. L ItSliuS
one foot, then on the other; now leaning
one arm on the top of bureau, or hold
ing ones self up with both hands grasp
ing the back Of a chair. But pretty,
don't hurt" The gOssaner muslins and
glossy silks and satins lying about at ones
feet are an antidOte against every attend
ing ache and pain. AS to trained dresses,
they are more than superb, and too beau
4. 10
sides, it is such a healthy and delightful
exercise to be dragging on ones hips a
piece more or less of rich, rustling silk.
Then what a graceful employment it is
to keep it out of the mud First hitch
ing it up On one side, then on the other,
and so keep on hitching until the walk is
ended and one is completely exhausted.
It takes two full hours for a lady to
harness up for a walk, one more hour to
unharness, and the remainder of the day
to recover from the fatigue of the whole
undertaking.
But who minds such trifes when a
handsome dress is TO be shown off?
Next in order comes the jeweIry Who
is there that despises gold and diamonds?
No matter if a ring is so small around
that it cuts ones finger nearly in two, it
will not be felt, so long as the ring is of
precious stones.
Then what a pleasant sensation it is to
have ones ears dragged and stretched out
of shape by expensive and weighty ear
drops, to say nothing of a diamond neck
lace that nearly chol1es one. But it won't
choke, never fear; pretty, don't hurt :"
Now is it not astonishing to see how
much we poor mOrtals will endure of
fatigue, pain, and even deformity, for the
sake Of gratifying a deluded fancy?
Even health and comfort are sacrificed
to Fashions most frivolous demands.
Mothers are bondWomen to their caprices,
and children born slaves, subject to their
arbitrary rule.
And so we live and suffer and die in the
belief that we must follow in the foot
steps of this tyrant, Fashion, at any cost
and that pretty, don't hurt" -Anna
CJea0es, IN chronological Journal.