Morning journal and courier., 1885-08-28
What the Druggist Said. TErAyr1 the WaShin1top Star

He was handling some mysterious little parcels at the toilet counter of a fashionable drug store. ''I'll trouble you to send it to my quarters, if you don't mind. You'll send it early: An, thanks awfullyr' Then with few languid strides he carried himself to the door and strolled down the street, throwing his heavy horn handled cane right across his path at every step, then dexterous- ly jerking it away just in time to let himself by.
 ''VaniIla cream," said the Star man, toss- ing nickel on the marble in front of the soda fountain. The druggist looked amused as he drew the water and stood smiling at the scribe as he disposed of it. 'tWhat is ita" asked the scribe.
 ETA dude," was the reply.
 "Oh, thought it was something the mat ter with the water," an the Star man finish ed his glass freed of and awful suspicion.
 stHes of 'em,'' continued the drug gist.
 s'What do you think he buyss You couldn't guess" Then he bent over and whispered in the Star mans ear.
 "What ?''
 'sRouge Yes, rouge for the cheeks and lips, anu Iace po"uer, too, aau ue wears corsets,' replied the druggist in hoarse whisper. Then he proceeded to let out some astonishing secrets. ''There are lots of them in this city. more than anywhere have ever been, and I've stood in drug stores in most of the large cities. We sell more cosmetic to men here than to women. Comparatively few women in Washington paint and most of them have pretty good complexions. It's the men. They buy all the fancy French powders and paints, color their cheeks and lips and pencil their brows. I could stand at the door few minutes with you and point out any number who do all this, and you can see for yourself, if you take the trouble to notice, that they all wear corsets. You didn't do that? Pshaw; it's a common thing among these fellows, who don't have anything to do but fix themselves up to please silly girls"
 But what kind of fellows are theya" ask the scribe, becoming interested in the new discovery.
 ''They are mostly young men whose fathers left them to spend it. Then they are the-.' Here his voice sank to a whisper
 "Do you mean to say" exclaimed the scribe.
 ''No, no; I wouldn't tell anybody for the world," broke in the druggist. ''I only imply it; imply it-that's the word. Of course, it's only the young ones. None of
 
 such thing. But you know some of these young fellows who are on duty here and spend their time in ladies' society get very effeminate. I suppose if we should have a war they would get over it-or resign. Don't mention it, please" Then the drug gist became more confidential. 'But they do use lots of powder" and then he laughed at his own joke.
 "Yes,'' he continued, ''it is sad to see how men use cosmetics. They seem to care more about looking pretty than the girls do. Why, even the girls themselves get ashamed of it, and declare they are disgusted and will de- pend upon long walks, cold water and fan nel for their conlplexions ,and will stop using powder of any kind. There are lots of them who never use bit, and there's where they are sensible. The best thing for the com plexion is exercise and flannel underwear. Flannel stimulates the skin, brings about a healthy action of the blood, which is essen tial for delicacy and clearness of tint. Ere quently those who have the best complexions bother about it most"