The evening light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1881-1883, 1882-01-03
THE LATEST FOLLY.
The Rage for Long, Pointed Finger Nails
How the Operation 10 Performed

The Rage for Long, Pointed Finger Nails
How the Operation 10 Performed.
From the Cns innati Enquirer.
Dainty little nail cases have become fash
ionable at present, and are even seen among
wedding gifts, when the instruments are
mounted in gold and silver. One given last
week was made to order in Paris, and includ-
ed button-hook and glove buttoner. Like
all the other pieces, the handles were of ivory
studded with small Turquoise, and the Russian
leather case was lined with Turquoise blue
satin.
Nowadays, if you 60 to call on young lady
early in the morning, ten to one you hnd her
lolling back in an easy chair, with her rosy
fnger-tips immersed in a finger bowl Of
scented water 1.-THE first step in the process), or
else, chamois polisher in hand, carefully and
laboriously rubbing her nails with fine pink
powder that eventually makes them shine like
diamonds.
: The other day, having a desire to write up
the process, l visited the establishment Of
with the growth of the new fashion, being
asked to make an appointment three days
later, owing to the rush OF customers. no.
ticed that only ladies were present, and when
commented on it, Mrs. p. showed me a
small office, entered from the back of the
house, where were seated some gentlemen,
one a congressman from Virginia, all looking
rather shame-faced at being there.
"Ihey have not the courage to be seen en-
tering," said the manager, $50 I had to ar
range a sort Of back door. A great many
gentlemen come here, notably ministers and
actors, as in their respective professions they
are given to using their hands freely, and like
to have them as effective as possible.
I" Then fashionable young men have taken
up the idea, and many of them are regular
customers, and pay so much a month to have
their nails taken care of. My two most fam
Gus patrons are Brooklyn preacher and a
Washington politician and orator."
"And how about the ladies?'
ooh, YOU can see for YOURSELF" and the
manager took down blank book in which
were inscribed the autographs of her lady
patrons. Among them were the names Of
several well-known actresses of stock compan-
les and of an American prima donna. Anus
ing to relate the list Of matrons was longer
than that Of young ladies.
But to the point. When my turn came
sat in row with five other ladies in the easiest
of armchairs, and with damask napkins in our
laps. Finger bowls of stained glass on plates
of painted French china, filled with tepid wa
ter perfumcd and containing an acid to soften
the skin, were given us, and solemnly we sat
and soaked our fingers for fifteen minutes.
AT the end of that time an Operator" on
low stool seated herself before me, dried one
hand, posed it on q pin-cushion, and with a
ERE stesl instrument quickly scraped away all
the soft skin around the nail; then she filed it
into point at the top \sad clipped the sides
with sharp scissors; then she faibbssd a red
salve over it, wiped it off and proceeded to
polish it with the diamond powder, using the
palm other hand, until the nail fairly glistened,
and finally warm water, Castle soap and a
soft brush left it clean, smooth .ssd shining.
The process was repeated on every finger,
and in half an hour, for the sum OF ST. 50, was
finished, and the result was ten pink and bril-
liant weapons of defense, so sharp and pointed
as to suggest the advantages of peace. The
fashion Of wearing these long and pointed
nails has become SO exaggerated that it neces-
states long Fingered gloves and extreme care
to keep them from breaking of.