St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-04-07
THE STOCKING QUESTION.

Dangers that Would FoHotc the Omission
of Hose from the Female Wardrobe.
Bill Nye.
| When the subject of forked socks and
stockings first began to agitate the public
mind rose and spoke in clarion tones
against their use, 1 saw that our homes
were threatened, and regarded the invasion
OF the family circle by the forked sock or the
forked skirt as baneful in the extreme.
now read with sorrow and grave appre-
henslon that custom, originating in Eng
land and Endorsed by France, is beginning
10 attract attention in America. This item
OF news find in Partisan journ al of fashion
to which am regular subscriber and an
| occasional contributor, writing fashionable
gossip in the purest French. French is my
best hold.
The journal alluded to announces that
experience has shown that the female stock
ing is not only useless, but absolutely in
furious to the health and comfort of the
Wearer AS 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
olOShiuSo dlIOSCGucI AS 1OI Myself, i am
not an abolihonist in this case. do not wish
to seem over-conservative on important ma
tional affairs, but do not think we are vet
prepared to fling away our time-honored ira
ditions and our stockings. L am free to say
that approach this subject witha good deal
of timidity. 1t is not a matterthat like to
discuss. hate to call attentionto the results
of such a revolution.
Should such custom prevail, and Should
I be one of the gay and festive party at
moment when the common low American
mouse enters the room, scattering alarm and
apprehension everywhere. 1 feel now as
though would hardly care to live. If we
abolish stockings we must abolish mice and
dewy lawns.
If felt perfectly free I would speak more
fully and definitely on this subject, which, I
may truly say, 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 long, cold, wet
pair OF stockings, may have said in his
wrath that he wished they were abolished, but
when he got calmer he would not feel so.
1t may be urged by the so-caled reformers
who are at the head of the movement, that it
is for the comfort and convenience of the
female sex alone, and that so far as the great
horrid man is concerned it is none of his
business. Mayhap.
And yet we cannot help feeling an in
terest in this matter l hate to needlesslY
create excitement and alarm, but this great
upheaval is coming upon us so insidiously-
so steathily, as it were-that l feel as though
every true American citizen should be upon
his guard. On behalf of my sex, ask that
this foreign custom may not prevail here.
If this habit becomes fixed in the social
circle, shudder when l think of the stage.
1t will be neglected I will sell nv seat near
the large baritone fiddle and mingle more in
society
All, no! Tt cannot, must not be. This
fashion certainly will not obtain a foothold
in this country.
The dress may be moderately decollete one
| way, but it ought not to be run into the
ground.
l have not fully expressed myself, but
| feel that l have said enough to put every one
on his 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 necessary for the
victim to dress herself when she retires at
| night