St. Paul daily globe., 1889-02-10

days. Their advice is dished up in so
appetiZing a style that all the society
girls read them and straightway forget
to practice what is preached. That
particular sentence seemed to strike
Miss Clara quite forcibly. 1t has been
too cold. during the week. for skating
on Central Park lake. and the city
fathers haven't concluded to let people
speed their fast horses on Park Avenue.
so that my lady and her friends have
been at their wits ends to find some
new sort of amusement, which might be
dignified by the title of exercise and
yet vary the mOnOtony of afternoon
teas and dancing parties.
Wonder how course at the gym
naSium would suit me?" unused Miss
Clara. s'ISn't there such an institution
for ladies somewhere in Minneapolis"
she questioned.
[ thought that there was. and eagerly
offered to find it and bring back full
particulars, if she would only let me
try. because that would practically give.
me all afternoon of freedom down town,
and | enjoy such recreation nearly as
much as my more ariSt0cratic sisters.
you can walk. Eva: you're so lazy
that the exercise will doubtless be ben
eficial." said my mistress in that same
hard, macadamiZed tone with which L
recently heard her reject poor but
proud suitor for her hand and fortune.
I'm accustomed TO hearing that tone, so
it didn't depress my spirits at all. After
some inquiries L found
THE GYMNASIUM,
located on the second floor of the He'll
nepin Avenue theater building. Enter
ing little carpeted ante-fOom, | took a
seat and waited while an anXions dow
ager arranged details in regard to a
course of exercise for her daughter.
1.-Two hours a week will be ample eX-
ercise for dear Gertie's delicate phyl
sique," said the fond parent. "'Ger-
trude was married few weeks ago,
and has gone to housekeeping. The
annoyance and care of the servants,
together with her social duties. have
nearly ruined her health, and our family
physician recommends course at the
gymnasium" So She prattled on about
her family affairs. | waited patiently.
Patience is my forte.
Ibid you wish to take a course of
lessons at our gymnaZium" asked
Miss Marsh, the lady in charge. She
was rathera pleasant-looking spinstef,
her rosy cheeks and sparkling brown
eyes proving that she enjoyed good
physical health as a result OF practice
ing what she preached. She. wore the
gold-rimmed glasses, Short hair, and
severely simple style of dress which rs
invariably affected by the woman whip
endeavors to reform her sex in any
direction. Wonder if they affect that
style in order to advertise themselves?
The gymnasium had not yet fully
emerged from the carpenters and
painters hands, so that the atmosphere
was laden with several odors which
might be healthful but never agree
able. Several rooms were fitted up with
all sorts of athletic apparatus: there
were rows of Indian clubs, a horizontal
bar, rowing machine. wands, dumb
bells and chest weights. all in their
proper places. From toilet room near
by came confused murmur of talk and
laughter.
"a class of young ladies are about to
take their regular exercise. Would you
like to see them?" inquired my guide.
That was just what | would like to
see. Five minutes later door opened,
and ABOUT fifteen ladies filed out with
solemn faces and funny costumes. Re
gard for the truth prevents me from as
serting that the pupils were all young
and pretty. The majority possessed
neither attribute.
The instructor drilled them i'm march
ing and free-hand exercises, similar to