The Portland daily press., 1881-10-20
Detroit Post.I
Dress Reform.
Mrs. Jones Tries the New Rational Dress.

Mrs. Jones had been reading about the
rational dress reform movement aud the mer-
Its uf the divided skirt, and she made up her
mind to follow the ilustrious example of Lady
Harberton and wear the new costume. 1t re-
quired considerable courage to do this IN the
face of society and Mr.. Jones, but with the
help OF downtown dressmaker Mrs. j. came
out full fedged. the divided skirt fitted like
mitten on mans nose the jacket was iaunty,
the collar nobby and the Derby hat rakish.
1t was a sensible and rational dress without
doubt. No flowing drapery to catch in cog
wheels, no superhuous material to propitate
fashion, neat but not gaudy, snug as that
haven of a woman's soul, a mans dress, pic
turesque enough to avoid ugliness. Mrs.
Jones felt that the long wished for dress for
woman was at last consummsted, and she
went down stairs to tell Bridget she was going
out for the afternoon. Before she had time 10
speak, however, Bridget opened on her:
"Oh, ye haythen critteri However did ye
git into the house? Be off wild ye or Iii crack
yer skull wild the fire shovel!"
bridget" SAID Mrs. Jones severely, 'yo1
forget yourself"
ssHowly Mosesl forget me self les yees
that's forgot yerself Ohm thinkin'. tux yees
for some kind OF haythin furriner, surel'
1llS WAS uUJ very 0dlI6FluS, Dub MIS- Jones
scarcely expected Bridget to make q compe-
tent critic and was not discouraged. but went
out to the corner and stood by the letter box,
waiting for a Car; she had quite forgotten her
dress and was deep IN reverle about new
kind of crochet stitch she had seen when
rousing slap on the shoulder nearly stunned
her-at the same time mans voice shouted
in her ear:
Say, old fel, give me chaw; I'm dead
broke to-day"
LIa aad t. bo
mans scream, and as Mrs. Jones got into the
street car she trembled from head to foot with
fright and indignation. She sank into the
only empty seat, which was narrow space
between two other ladies' At the next corner
a couple entered, and in a few moments the
gentleman turned to Mrs Jones, and in q
voice audible TO the whole car said:
Would you be kind enough sir, to give
your seat sir, to my wife, who is quite feeble,
and as you are the only gentleman sitting
take the liberty of asking you," etc.
Poor Mrs. Jonesl she go. up meekly and
hung on to the strap, mau-fashiOn, while that
other "hateful thing" took her sea with
sigh of relief and not a word of thanks. She
knew how it was herself then, to her entire
satisfaction But this not all. She had
scarcely entered the postotice where she
wanted to mail a letter than she Was Selzsd
upon by two eager politicians, who asked her
if he had registered, which ticket did he vote,
ETC.; and when she rushed away from them
she was smiled upon by group OF pretty girls
who maliciously followed her over to the
avenue.
Isn't he just sweet?" she heard one of
them say; "belongs 70 some legation-Turkish
isn't il? Don't he cut a swell, and isn't his
dress awfnlly stunning?
Mrs. Jones took the next car for home.
She seated herself in a corner, hoping to re-
main unmolested, but there was instantly
soft touch on her arm, followed by a succes-
sion of raps.
"Please pass up my fare, SIR
"WilI you please get me 80 cents worth OF
tickets, sir?"
please ring the bell for me when we get to
High street."
s.Does this car go to Fifteenth street, sir?"
"Would you be kind enough to tell me the
time, SIR
AS she left the car she had the satisfaction
of hearing one Of the passengers say:
.Hes either an artist or a fool" That was
the last of her attempt to join the Rational
school. Jones found the divided skirt Que
day, and she told him it was new kind Of
clothes bag, and so IL was.