Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1888-06-27

cuse, on par with our misuse OF the con-
venient but exceedingly ridiculous "covert
coat" which swept through dudedom like
an epidemic few years ago. Those little,
light colored, short-tailed overcoats, slit up
the side, seams in the back, which were so
popular among O certain class Of our jiEAess
dores were simply riding coats and nothing
more "Covert coats" they are called in
England, because it is the fashion to wear
them to the s'meet," and they are handed
over in charge Of a groom when the hard
riding begins.
They are no more appropriate for an
evening garment than top boots would be
and they are as much out Of place over a
dress suit as flannel shirt would be at an
evening reception. Yet at the theaters, in
the hotels and on Broadway you would see
hundreds Of young fellows clad in them,
the tails Of their under coats showing an
inch or two below the upper garment, and
inspiring the average beholder with an al
most uncomfortable desire to kick the
offending tails and the wearer out of sight.
In the matter of riding costumes gentle
men are allowed a much wider latitude
than ladies. A silk hat, dark four-but-
toned cut-away coat and light gray trow-
sers cut rather full above the knee and
closely fitting the calf Of the leg, strapped
down over light patent leather shoes, are
without doubt the correct thing, but Derby
hats aud high riding boots, short hunting
boots and knee breeches are quite as COM
monty seen in the park. Dark colors have
long been the rule for ladies' riding habits
and very dark blue, green and brown broad
cloths have had the call. This season, how
ever, / have noticed a marked tendency
toward lighter colors and mixed fabrics, the
long skirts have been much abbreviated,
and the best ladies' tailors no longer make
trousers with the habits Dark jersey tights
and dainty patent leather top boots having
taken the place Of the old-fashioned trousers
strapped down over the shoes.
AS have suggested, the average Of good
riders is larger among ladies than among
gentlemen. 1t is the "correct thing" to
ride well, and, as q consequence, our fash
ionable girls are improving in health and
good looks. Twenty years ago the girl who
could lift her horse over O five-barred gate,
pull good oar, play game of tennis and
make far score at the clay pigeons witt q
rife would hive been looked upon as hope
lessly questionable, and her buoyant spir-
its and sturdy health would have been in
dicative Of q hopeless lack of refinement in
the eyes Of her friends. To-day the reverse
is true. Happily the athletic girl is in fash
ion, and her weaker sister, who Is cursed
with nerves." has to take seat away in
the rear. At Tuxedo, Newport, Lenox and
other fashionable resorts girls goin for rid
ing, tricycling, rowing, bowling, shooting,
as well as for tennis and the more feminine
Of the outdoor amusements The result
you can see any afternoon on Broadway,
Fifth avenue and in the park; generation
Of robust, 1.-THE, graceful, wholesome young
women.
On these pleasant afternoons of early
spring the park is full of riding parties and
the carriages seem to be almost entirely
left to old ladies and invalids. Later in the
season parties will be made up to go to
Tuxedo, Irvington and other points within
days ride of the city. These equestrian
parties were very popular last year, and the