Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-10-12

The craze among ladies for wearing the
hair short is becoming general and Is
spreading all the country over. 1t has
already become very popular. among
other places in Rochester, New York.
where the most stylish young ladies are
parting with their raven and golden
tresses. There was time when 1t was
considered somewhat fast" for lady to
wear her hair short, but since Miss Cleve-
land, the presidents sister. the present
mistress of the White House, and by COM
mon courtesy the first" lady in the land
wears her locks shorn quite short and adj
vocates the custom on the ground OF COM
fort, convenience and health, it has be-
come the STYLE. Time was. too, when a
short-haired lady was so rare that her APP
pearance in public places attracted gener-
al attention. But that was good while
ago. The prominent hair-cutters are be-
coming quite proficient in cutting the hair
of their rapidly increasing lady patrons.
Some interesting and strange scenes are
now seen in the hairdressers' establish
ments and barber shops.
"a handsome young lady just from
boarding school came into my shop Tues
day, and said she wanted her hair cut just
| like Miss Cleveland's" said prominent
barber .'She had picture of the presi-
dant's sister for me to look at; and with
the suggestion given by her companion,
who had seen Miss Cleveland, and with
the aid of the photograph. cut and
trimmed her hair to her complete satisfac-
ton. 0, don't know who or what start
ed the style. Perhaps Miss Cleveland
had something to do with it. but am in
clined to believe that Miss Maud Granger,
Miss Dora Wiley, and other actresses and
singers who are great favorites with
women started the style here. OF course
it helps our business; but, leaving all
selfish reasons aside, is it the most
reasonable craze that has recently come
into style? Why, you have no idea what
constant trouble a heavy head of hair is
TO a woman. 1t has to be dressed two or
three times a day. and this takes up
great deal of woman's time. With long
and heavy hair it is difficult for a lady to
keep her scalp clean and healthy"
"What do ladies do with the shorn
tresses ?"
They take them away with them. Some
of them bring old corset boxes for this
purpose, and when no box of this kind is
handy, do the hair up in paper"
"Do they sell it ?'
81 don't know. | don't believe many
OF my customers have, for they have in
variably exhibited more of fondness for
the hair than for the money they would
derive from the use of it, No, think
they take it home and keep it. When it
becomes stylish to wear the hair long
again they will have switches made OF
them.
Eyes, we have some queer scenes in
our shops now," continued the hair cut
ter
"a young lady who comes to have her
locks cut off always brings lady COM
panion with her, and sometimes they bring
two or three. Their conversation while
am at work would make you laugh. A
girl was in here the other day with her
mother, and had her hair cut short. 1t
was the first time the shears had touched
the girls hair, and she shook with fear
when began and she felt the cold steel
on her neck. Two sisters were here one
day last week and when cut the hair of
one the tears ran down the cheeks of the
other like rain drops. Queer creatures,
| these women, aren't they.
"Well, the most of those who have
been here have had their hair cut very
short on the back of the head-indeed,
almost as close as young men wear their
hair-and moderately good length on top.
They want it long enough on top to frizz
and curl, or to wear bang.