The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1885-07-24
WOMAN GOSSIP.
Methods OF Iiaiiing Sirret-Cars Rel.
able Index to Woman's Individuality.
The Preservation of Wpman's beauty
Mania for Tca-Drinking.
HOW WOMEN HAIL uoRSE-cARs.

The different methods women en-
ploy to stop horSc-carS would make a
very reliable index to their individual
character, writes Gertrude Garrison in
the Pittsburg DiSpdtch. Attitude, gcst-
urc, facial expression, all are pro-
nOunccd in action of this kind.
The severe, long-facci woman is mt
the corner while the car is yet afar of,
She has deep-grounded belief that it
will do lis best To 20 by without taking
her on, and that belief makes her as
grimiy watchful us a sentinel on duty.
She raises her arm almost rs soon as
she can distinguish the figure OF the
driver, and with her foreinger takes
deadly aim ut his eyes. Her face is
written all over with the workings of
her mind, which ut that moment are
peculiarly determined and energetic
Palmer than words her countenancc
speaks. 1t says: ''Pass me by at
your peril"
On some drivers, the new and ncr-
vous ones, this method of calling their
attention has shattered effect. But
the stagers mind it not. They pull up
their horses without moving n muscle
of their faces. The woman who com
manded them to stop, SO far rs they are
concerned, might be an angel or Il
demon.
The idea that the ear will pass with
out stopping is latent in the majority
of women ; minds. This accounts for
their extraordinary carncStncss and
energy OF accosting IT, The lack of
confidence in horsc-car management
has a cause for its existence, of course.
Women who make ovcrmuch haste
gcsticulatc with both arms, much rs if
they were signaling locomotive to
prevent destruction. Anxiety, even
terror, paint their faces with the coiors
of alarm. When the car does stop they
are certain in their minds that single
gesture less on their part would have
failed TO bring it to Il halt. The fact
that the driver is employed TO stop for
passengers is something they would
scout us wild and senscless assertion.
Very young and very pretty women,
who have faltn in the potency OF their
personal appearance pose on the cor
per and merely incline their heads
gracefully toward the driver, certain
that he, rs well rs the world, is eager
to serve them. They carry this at
mosphcrc of Sclf-satisfact;on into the
car, where it is felt 10y the severe and
the nervous women, who are already
in. They sigh rs they silently reflect
that there are some disagrecable things
for that young lady To find out later on.
The timid woman, young or old, al
ways has her heart in her mouth when
she orders Il ear to stop. She feels
that she is asserting herself beyond the
usual bounds, an the thought makes
her uncomfortable. Timid persons are
prone to sclf-conSciouSncsS, and for the
life of her the timid woman can't rid
hor mind of the belief that avary wholly
is looking ut her because she is so self
assertive.
The very stout woman has the worst
time of all. She is not constructed for
eXertionS of that kind. and rs her move
mcnts are of necessity slow, and the
driver always affects haste and makes
her feel impatient, she is apt to get
aboard a little out of temper.
The theatrical woman--particularl
the beginner, who moves and has her
being with imaginary footlights all
around her-bids the car TO stop with
a 'Iialt-there-ye-slave' gesture, which
surprises even the horses.
The humble woman of the basket
and bundle is sometimes pushing and
sometimes hcsitating. Size knows that
by reason of her appendages she will
be unwclcome to conductor and pas
sengcrs, and the knowledge makes her
shy or defiant, in proportion to the
sweetness or bitterness of her nature.
Ii life was less desperate with street.
lurking on every corner in the person
of some woman.