St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-09-22

fair sex of an inland city like
Minneapolis: and this summer, for the
first time. the dear girls have had an
opportunity to learn the art of keeping
afioat under the guidance of an in
structOr without visiting the lakes.
where there is more or less publicity,
which. out here in the wild, untutored
West is considered really an objection
instead of desirable.
1t is not unlikely that the majority
of the inhabitants of Minneapolis are
unaware that there is, as has been dur
ing the summer, such an institution as
a "natatorium" for ladies within its
corporate limits: and, possibly, if they
did know of the place, would prefer to
visit the Exposition. state fair, tOurnaS
ment or other amusementS, which
flourish like a green bay tree at this
season of the year. -
Still it is fact that natatorlum. or
swimming school. is favOrite place
of amusement with a certain class
of young ladies. From observation of
the fair visitors at the school. judge
that, in order to become properly en-
amored of the swimming fad, it is nee
essary to be in society" and thus as
surfing ones self of select associates,
also to possess a mental and moral COLI
stitution which shall combine SYM
metry, strength and fearlessness unal-
lOyed by any lingering trace of prudery.
The girl who Swims well may be seen
early in the morning riding horseback,
a little later playing lawn tennis: at the
ball game late in the afternoon. and
rowing on the lake in the twilight.
Please do not confOund her with the
girl who does fancy work, eats chOcO-
late creams and reads erratie novels.
The two belong to totally different
classes. and indulge in cordial dislike
for each other, even when exchanging
Kisses and other little atfectiOnate con-
ventionalities common to modern So
ciety.
One day recently l met several Min
neapOlis young ladies who were taking
some fair cousins to initiate them into
the joys and terrors of swimming
school. gladly accepted an invitation
to join the party. for had long wanted
to learn to swim, but couldn't muster
courage enough to go alone.
The NatatOrium is a three-story
frame building on the corner of Sixth
street and Third avenue south. To the
right of the main entrance is a tank
about 20x40 feet, where ladies receive
their first lessons before venturing
among the perils of the larger tank,
where anybody who can swim is free
to 90.
We entered row of little apartments,
and dOnned our bathing suits. Nearly
all the girls owned their own costumes:
but two of the cousins and myself had
to content ourselves with Hired suits,
which twisted and tapped about with
all the limpness and largeness of
Jenness-Miller costume. Perhaps it's
needless to remark that the girl in the
picture which heads this column is not
myself. Her costume is made of navy
blue Jersey flannel. edged with narrow
silver braid; and the rubber cap is to
keep her fluffy bangs from getting damp
and straight. An Obliging lady attend
ant helped US into our suits, and then
disappeared. One of the cousins looked
shyly at the other, and said:
'.I-Fm afraid these costumes are real
naughty, Annie; w-what do you think?''
Annie looked at her shapely ankle
and concluded that the bathing costume
wasn't any naughtier than decollete
party dress The surface area exposed
seemed to be about the same in both.
On the whole she rather liked it.
The leader of the party, Miss Lillian,
came back from a consultation with the
teacher.
'.Oh, girls. he says we can all go out
into the big tank and practice, if we'll
be real careful and not venture into the
deep water alone. Come along. it's lots
more fun than in this little stuffy Tank
She was right. The larger tank is
about three times the size of the first.
Overhead the rafters are covered with