The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-03-24
THE DOING OF WOMEN FOLK.
Up, Down and About in the w orld OF
Damsels and Tair Danes

DamSele ana air Dames.
New YORK, March 23.-Every woman
who has been on the stage, who has lee
tured, who has come before the public gaze
in any capacity, has in her wardrobe GER
tain pieces of costume to which she gives
the title OF "gentlemen's gowns" These
mysterious articles Of apparel are not IN
tended, as the name might suggest, Tor
wear by he lords of creation, but the nick
name has attached itself TO such toilets as
have invariably called forth bursts OF mas
cuiiue applause. Everybody knows that
the tastes OF men and women often dlffer IN
mat ers OF feminine costuning, but every
body does not know that the fair creature
in the glare OF the footlightS can calculate
to a nicely which sex in her audience she is
impressing Mabel Jenness, the pretty sis
ter of the pretty dress reformer, Is never at
a loss + YOU ask her which is her gentlemen's
gown. She points you without hesitation
TO a white and apple green satin, brocaded
with narcissus flowers, made up in the Em-
pire stvle. Co uweboy crepe lisse, marvel
ously embroidered, makes the front Of it
draped over green crepe do chine. Clusters
Of pond lilies in shades Of cream and yellow
clasp it on the shoulders, at the waist in-
stead of a girdle, ami hang IN long garlands
intermlngied with trailing grasses catchiu &
up the skirt draperies "Whea the men ses
this they pound on the floor with their
syi ks and umbrellas, and then say, Yes,
| always call this my gehtlernen's gown "
Mrs. Brown Potter wore in Mile. do Bres-
sierh a wonderful velvet connection in two
greens which never failed to catch the men
II is nonsense to say that il is women only
who care for the millinery display on the
boards. The women who do the dressing
know better. Ih3y find that each costume
has its audience, TIE more gorgeous and
theatrical bes. suiting the taste Of the dress
coat and Ascot scarf.
To count them in society is one Of the
deadliest atfronts yod can offer to some
women. Ire fringe which hangs on the
borders Of McAllister's 400 is not more anx-
ious to be reckpned part and parcel Of the
famous brigade than are these women to
avoid the faintest link Of connection.
Did you see that dreadful thing in last
Sundays -?n asked a well-known
woman recently.
"Why, there was pleasant enough para
graph ABOUT your daughters recent debut.
Ode ut, debut, don't mention the word to
me. My daughter is not debutante. she is
not in society, We have nothing TO do with
society or jciety people. Why, it is said
her pale gold hair formed mistlike aure-
ole auout her face and she was pronounced
by general consent one Of the most bewitch-
ing of the younger bellies Do you know
would almost as soon see my daughter in
her grave as see her belief | shall take her
south or abroad If the papers mention her
name second time"
1t is the growing theatricality in dress
ard in matters of social advertisement
which is breeding a distaste for the very
word society In some Of our most exclusive
women. Lavish splav begets disgust and
reaction, and it would awaken general sur
prise to know how severely simple in their
personal habits aud how mOdestly Tlain in
their dress are many OF the well-to-do and
even of the extremely ri1h, in the midst Of
this era of expenditure.
Il must really see milliner, /" said the
wife OF man whose millions are sufficiently
numerou> to awaken profound respect even
in an age Of milllonaires.
II have not mad bonnet in yea" NY
milliner died and l have never got my
courage to the point of going to hunt up
another
This woman lives in one of the finest
houses on Fifth avenue and rides In the
park daily behind a pair of carriage horses
which are lodged more luxuriously than the
average family, the strip of land on which
their stable Is built costing not far from
$4,000.
~ am ashamed Of myself for am almost
ont at elbows" and she points to the sleeves
II her gown which are nearly worn thorough.
She wears a quiet black silk every after
noon and, as she intimates, the supply has
been allowed to run low.
"What a pretty watch you have" as she
draws o1t q ladies' timepiece in response
to an inquiry about the hour.
Yes, it was Chris mas present from
my daughter. / never mad one before, and
/ can't remember to keep it wound"
Listen to the talk OF money, money,
money; smile politely when one social struy-
gler informs you that she has taken a suite
At the Murray Hill hotel when you happen
to know that she is living in something not
far removed from tenement house in a
side street, and puts her whole income on
her back for chance appearance at other
peoples receptions. Smile again at the
man who opens conversation pleasantly
with bah Jove, you women think you're
spending cash when you pay a servant $50 a
month, but | pay my valet $50 and he's
deuced we'll worth it, too breathe an at
mosphere Of this sort aud the genuine sim
plicity and uuworldliness of a wealthy
woman who says frankly that she has
never felt like incurriag the expense of a
sealslsin cloak comes like breath of fresh
air in a hot house.
The funniest DEVELOPMENT Of the mind
cure its extension TO the intellectual
realm. The woman who proposes to de-
vote herself TO good works during Lent en-,
cages mini curer to "treat her for devo-
tion." The metaphysical healer instead Of
doctoring for phi seal ills must give spirit
ual assistance. She looks with unabashe1
vision into the realm Of ideas and simply
assures her patient that she is living in a
sphere of moral beauty, and harmonizes
her so as to be receptive to it. II is wonder
full, they say, what fortnight's treatment
of this sort will do toward reconc:ling one
to the sewing Of unbleached cotton shirts
for the foreign or native heather. The
woman who has a tea to give and who is
worn out bv social disspato is treated
for society" aud her boredom disappears;
the heantY Of making life nlaa a nj Tor nna,s