Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1884-10-31
The Bell Garter.

The Reporter learned of Mr.. y. ID.
Witt vlce-prcsident of tile Eugene
Jaccard Jewelry Company. and
whispered confidcntially in his ear.
Mr.. Witt smiled in a manner that
seemed to be decidedly sarcastic, and
caused the reporter to remark, 81
didn't suppose there was anything
in it; in fact, was positive the re-
port was stupid canard.".
"But it isn't" said Mr.. Witt, "and
| smiled at the idea Of your having
taken at least three weeks to get on
TO the,ncw idea. Catching on? No
it has caught on, and we sell every
day several pairs of the tinklers. We
are running short of the stock just
now, but we shall have fresh sup
ply in day or two. Come along
and see for yourself"
Mr.. Witt led the reporter 10 show
case, from whose depths he drew a
couple Of boxes, the lifting Of whose
lids exposed to view collection of
very handsome gartcrs. AS he lifted
one of them musical tintinabula-
tion fell upon the reporters car. The
ornamental affair WAS put under
close inspection, when it was dis
covered that from the silkcn baud
depended Il tiny silver bell, shaped
like sleigh bell, whose every mo.
ton was accompanied by faint but
delightfully."- melodiOus tinkle. Mr..
Witt, to more fully demonstrate the
latest fashionable folly, unclasped
the garter, fastened it in position be
meath his right knee, and took a doz-
en steps up the aisle, As lie did so
the piece Of metal inside The boil rat
tied about in lively fashion, and the
musical accompaniment seemed
much louder than before.
"And do you really mean TO tell
me that st Louis ladies are really
wearing these little bells in that
that place? ~ the reporter asked. Mr.
Witt popped the melodious garter
back in the box and laughed heartily
as he leaned Oh the show case and
asked:
"Why not? They are all the rage
down East, especially at the gayel
watering places, and really see nc
reason why the idea should not take
here. There surely is no harm in q
lady's adding the delight of melody
to the charm of a pretty garter. II
the jingle of Il belt Of sleigh bell,
gives zcst to the enjoyment of a win
try ride, surely the pleasure Of ro-
mantle moonlight stroll will bt
heightened by such palpitations OF
harmony as pair of these pretty
garter appendages will produce, and
then just fancy the mystery of the
thing. OF course the sound produced
when they are worn is much softer
than it appears to us here. 1t is, as
| ii were, muflled and floats in almost
impcrceptible sweetness upon the air.
or course, the companion Of the lady
who wears them is puzzled, and un-
less he possesses more than ordinary
tact, he will, before he knows it, have
started somewhat embarrassing in-
vcsitgation of the source of the novel
and incomprchensible sounds. l
have known of one or two such awk-
ward occurrences, but then, you
know, almost every original fashion
able novelty has its drawbacks at the
start. As soon as the bell garter be-
comes better known its presence will
not be named bv the TOO eager in
quisitiveness Of the male companion
OF restricted social experience.
The gentleman then subjected to a
closer scrutiny y pair of specially
handsome bell garters, which had
been made to the order of Garrison
avenue young lady. The hosiery it
self was of beautiful design, but tn,
golden bells which hung from then
were Of exquisite grace. They wer
of about the size of beechnut, bu
were shaped in imitation Of the acorn
the colors of the unripe nut bein,
beautifully initiated in different col
ored gold. A chain of about an incl
in length, each Of whose links was
faithful copy, in miniature, of the oa
leaf, ended in pretty catch, whicl
enabled the wearcr to, disengage
from the garter when necessary.
~ have an idea that the young lad
who ordered these doesn't want he
ordinarily indulgent papa to kno'
anything about them, as she was yer
particular to have me understan
that she did not want them sent HON
, or charged in her regular accoun
, she promised to call for them and pa
: cash. She is All ingenious young Ia
. dy. If you don't believe it, you wi
q when l explain to you why the bel
! have stopped ringing" Mr.. VII
shook the garters about as he spok
. but beyond the sound produced b
:, the rafting Of the oak-lcaf chair
nothing was heard. Then Mr.. Wit
q showed the reporter that by the touo
of a secret spring in the acorn til
, movable tongue inside was still.
n "That," said the reporter, ais to s,
G cure safety from discovery, if pal
# should put in an unexpected appea
G ance?"
Il tsIf lnol,c a littla ibot x,tax,S ooid NJ