Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-04-06
THE STOCKING QUESTION.
Dangers that Would Follow the Omission
Of Hose from the Female Wardrobe.


BGl Fye.
When the subject OF forked socks n
stockings first began to agltsse the Plhiie
mind | rose aud spoke in CLARION tones
against their use. | say that oar homes
we're threatened, and | regarded tus inEa-
zion of the family circle By the forkei socA
or the fCrked skirt as bsnetui IN the ex-
rene
| now read with sorrow and grave apore-
hension that q custom, originating in Eng
land and indorsed By France, Is begianing
TO attract attention in America. This item
Of news / find in q Partisan journal OF
fashion, 10 which | am a regular subscriber
and an occasional contributor, writing
fashionable gossip in the purest French
French is my best hold
The journal alluded to, nounce that
experience has shown that the female stock
ing is not only useless, but absolutely inJur-
io1s to the health and comfort of the wearer.
AS a result, stockings are to be omitted
from the female wardrobe.
First come the forked stockings, then the
bifurcated skirt, and then the abolition OF
the stockings altogether. As for myself, |
am not an abolitiouist in this case. l do
not wish TO seem over conservative on i'm
pOrtant national affairs, but | do not think
we are yet prepared to fling away our time
honored traditions and our stockings. |
am free to say that | approach this subject
with q good deal Of timidi:y. 1t is not a
matter that / ike to discuss. | hate 10 call
attention to the results Of such a revelation.
Should such a custom prevail, and should
l be one OF the gay and festive party at a
moment when the common low American
mouse enters the room, scattering alarm
and apprehension everywhere, | feel nov ss
though | would hardly care to live II 80
abolish stockings we must abolish mice aLt
deWy lawns.
If felt perfectly free | would speak more
fully and definitely on this subject, which, l
may truly cay, lies so near the heart of every
true American.
/ know that the man who has been
clasped around the neck on wash day, as he
passed under the clothes line, by a long,
cold, wet pair of stockings, may have said
in his wrath that he wished they we're abol'
ished. but when be got ealmsr he would
not feel so
1t may be urged by the so-called reform.
ers who are at the head of the movement,
that il is for the comfort and convenience
of the female sex alone, and that so far as
the great horrid man is concerned 1t is none
Of his business. Msyhap.
And yet we cannot help feeling an in
terest in this matter. / hate to needlessly
create excitement and alarm, but this great
upheaval is coming upon Us so insiduously
so steslthily, as it were-that | feel as
though every true American citizen should
be upon his guard. On behalf Of my sex,
| ask that this foreign custom may not pre-
vail here.
If this habit becomes fixed in the social
circle, | shudder when | think of the stage.
Ii will be neglected. | will sell my seat
near the large BARITONE fiddle and mingle
no more in society.
All. MOI 1t cannot, must not De. This
fashion certainly will not obtain a footiold
in this country.
The dress nav be moderately decollete
one way but it ought not to Oe run into the
ground.
have not fully expressed myself, but
feel that | have said enough to put every
one on bis or her guard, as the case may be-
Let Us beware Of the approach Of this evil.
We can readily see whittier this costume
coupled with the Mother Hubbard dress, is
tending 1t will some day make it neces
sary for the victim to dress herself when she
retires al night.