St. Paul daily globe., 1888-06-17


of gauze. No woman ever conceived
the idea of introducing such fashion,
but the married ones told me they were
urged by their husbands to waste no
time in getting them. The Jersey
waists that serve to make an equal dis
play OF the bust were eagerly adopted
by some women because they were neat
and trim and handy.
1 suspect that some man invented
them also. What manner of men thus
dress the other sex deponent saith not
whether it is the woman's tailors or the
male designers lured to invent new
wrinkles, or who it is, but it is only fair
to the modest sex to say that whenever
woman puts on too frank and candid
habit of garment, some man is certain
to be at the bottom of it. So it is with
these new habits. They fit like tight
glove, and apply themselves so closely
to so very much of the feminine form
that one has to be "all there" as the
Saying goes. Presumably the male sex
approves of the revelation, but the
woman who would not prefer one of the
old-style loose habits is yet to be en-
cOuntered.
The tailor who was to turn me into a
silhouette, or, as he more foreibly ex-
pressed it, was to ''mold me" into the
new habit, begged that [ would call next
day, as his lady meaSurer had gone
home. When asked if he could not do
without her he seemed i'll at ease and
dubious, but there was not day to
spare, and he said: ''Well, if you don't
mind Pll take your measure" He very
soon found did mind: indeed, it never
fell to the lot OF mortal maid to be more
yeXed and indignant than l was. The
worst of it was | had only myself to
hI9ma hn had
happen.
THE MEA SURFING FOR THE WAIST
was not so bad. as he was kind enough
to say that he could deduct for the ex-
traS wore, which, had the woman as
slstant been there, would have to be
taken off. But what followed my
mounting on the dummy horse was
trIfie too much for anybody not made of
stone to undergo.
1t proved to be necessary to have the
habit made so as to fit perfectly from
the left knee to the waist, with all
which that implies, and in the most
skillful and considerate way the tailor
pulled and tugged at my skirt to tighten
1t IN that region until nothing but
muscle bred by living OH the fourth
floor of boarding house where there is
no elevator kept him from pulling me
off the horse. That stage was passed.
but the neXt-oh! Shudder to think of
1t. He proposed to begin at the knee
and measure with precisely the exact
ness necessary for putting on band
age. No massage operation was ever
more comprehensive or all pervading.
Ibid any woman ever permit this?" /
Inquired.
"Ohl lots of 'em, 1 assure you
ma'am," said he.
''Weil, I'll finish tomorrow when
your assistant comes," said /, and l
rushed from the place with a burning
face.
Next day 1 learned that it was quite
as well the revolt on my part took place
when in did, for having gone through
the ordeal OH the dummy horse with the
woman assistant, she informed me that
1T would next be necessary to be meas
nred Tor those articles of apparel which
Woman'S rights women are said to be
anxious to don, and which it has ALWAYS
been said that wife borrows from her
husband when she refuses to allow him
a share of the family management.
Gracious sakeS. | had totally forgotten
that these formed part of the habit
when l lnnOcently asked the man tailor
to measure me himself. l don't wonder
he was puzzled. 1t almost made me
faint twenty-four hours afterward when
the thought of what might have been
rose up before me.
A Smock blouse is the newest garment
OF style affected by the girls of SWELL
dom. 1t is becoming to slim figures,