The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-04-28
In BloOmer Costume.

There is at least one woman in Maine
who wears the "bloomer" costume, says
an Augusta, (Me. J letter. She lives in the
neighboring city of Hallowell, and her
name is Emmeline Prescott. She is a
tall, spare maiden, about fifty years of
age, Of modest appearance, and courte-
Gus in her speech. Her occupation is
peddling knick- -knacks, which she car
ries with her in q black leathern bag.
She has been on the road quarter of a
century, and has travelled thousands of
miles on foot. Although her figure is IA
miliar to everybody in these parts, still it
always attracts attention on account of
her rig, which she has worn for over
twenty years. It is made of drab-colored
wooden stuff, and consists of short,
loose sack; a plain, full skirt that
reaches to the knee, and tight-ftting
pants that come down to the ankle. Her
toggery gives full liberty to her limbs,
aud she wears it, she says, not only for
comfcrt, but because she believes that if
every woman discarded petticoats and
draggling dresses, and put on suits like
hers, it would be better for their health.
Her hair is cut short like mans, and is
parted on one side. The only thing
about her to distinguish her sex is her
head covering in summer, which is gen
orally plain sailor hat of straw. In
winter she sports a fur cap, tied down
with red worsted comforter, which is
entwined around her neck, with the ends
hanging down her back. Every house
keeper knows Emmeline, and generally
buys some little trinket of her. Rumor
has it that she was once disappointed in
love. She is a strong Adventist.
MARY"
The Chicago News has this little essay
on the name of Mary, showing the re-
markable associations connected with it.:
More women have been named Mary
than any other name which has olest or
cursed the feminine sex. 1t stands as
the typical name of the holiest and most
abiect of women-for the virgin and the
wanton. And in every language Of Asia
and Europe, as well as that Of Egypt,
this name appears almost without varia-
ton. 1t has been an equal favorite with
the aristocrats of France and thei Puri-
tans of New England, and it equally be-
comes literature or kitchen. 1t is stately
when we speak of Mary Wortley Mon
tague. it is simplicity itself when we re-
fer to Mary O'Brien, who brings in our
breakfast rolls. At one time it may
bring up picture of divine painted
face, hanging in the rich gloom of an
Italian gallery, and at another of red
checked dairymaid, with her barred feet
in the daisied grass. Two of England's
five queens have borne it, and the most
memorable woman that Scotland ever
produced has made it immortal.
The proudest women of France have
dignifed it, and the worst women of
Russia have disgraced it. There are as
many Marys smiling at the circling suns
that make the brief summer by the
northern sea as loll through the luxurious
days by the Mediterranean. The name
that Catholic missionaries gave to the
first converted Indian maiden was Mary,
and perhaps the first daughter of every
family for all time will stand in imml-
nent danger of bearing the name, for it
is the first to be considered in naming
girl babies, and when rejected is always
thought of with lingering tenderness.
How many lovers have loved it! How
they have associated it with purity and
gentleness, with womanliness and candor
and trust! What fateful name it isl Its
bearer seems predestined to sorrow, yet
it is gladstone, too. ''My mothers name
was Mary" What pleasant thing to
say! "My little daughter Mary" Could
anything be prettier9 MY sister Mary,
who is dead" What wealth OF tender
suggestions! "Nary, my wife" What
a picture of home comfort!