Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-09-07
HER REFORM DRESS.
Thorn Branch Gives a Sprightly Ac-
count of Her Own Experience
WITH JENNEsS MILLER's SYSTEM.
Timely Hints for Pittsburg Women Who
Heard the Lecture.
STEEP PRICES FOR REFORM GARMENTS
WRITTEN FOR THE D1srArcH.,

DuAAhS my wv MSSAs ASSAoSAsc AZ isbo-
burg I have noticed that the Jenness Miller
costumes are conspicuous only by their alb
sence," but as Jenness herself has now been
here, the epidemic of physical Culture
and "Dress Reform" that will result from
her lecture will certainly satisfy the most
devoted admirer and advocate of the system
unless Pittsburg ladies differ from their sis
ters. Over q year ago I first heard Mrs.
Miller lecture in the city of Chicago.
Of course 1 was converted. Every one is
that hears her. I could hardly wait until
reached home to discard my corset-that was
as much of the reform as I could afford to
adopt just at that time. for had Sin stock"
a wardrobe which, although not made
by Worth" was worth considerabl
to me, and it behooved me to wait until
new garments we're necessary and nv pocket
book attained more rounded appearance
before reformed entirely. Last June I
found myself in Oberlin, o., and again had
the pleasure of listening to lecture given
by the same talented lady. 1t was much
more interesting in some respects than the
Pittsburg talk. In the first place we had
a "horrid newspaper man" in female attire
to be gotten rid of, and then the college
students climbed up the outside of the
chapel and looked down the skylight, and
the college girls (by whose invitation Mrs.
Miller was lecturing) Missed as only college
girls can, and sent for the marshal, who ar
rived on the scene with two assistants and
arrested the disturbers who I believe were
given the opportunity of buying tickets for
home the next day. Talk about "woman's
curiosity nonsense, for the real genuine
article give me man; but to return to my
subject.
SHE GETS PRICES.
After hearing the second lecture I was
more than ever converted and concluded, as
was to have q weeks vacation in the city
of Chicago, to utilize the time IN having
some new garments made. OF course I
knew I couldn't be as graceful nor have
the magnificent physique that Mrs. Miller
has by simply adopting her style of dress.
put could be comfortable. Accordingly
visited a dressmaker in the fashionable part
of Chicago. She was robed from the skin
out in the new style. She formed very
fetching" picture and telling advertise
ment.
After exchanging greetings 1 said: ST
am desirous of adopting the Jenness Miller
reform system, and would like to know
your schedule of prices for the underwear,
you furnishing all the materials, of course"
With the most bewitching smile possible,
she replied:
1.-THE chemisetts in silk range from SIS to
$25 apiece; in cambria from Sc to So"
"What in muslin?" I ventured to ask,
with what breath remained after hearing the
preceding figures. 1 Immediately repented
my rashness and "sank into my proper in
significance. as the madam gave me sur
prised, injured look, and informed me that
muslin was not made up in her establish
brium I said:
"Well, what are the leglets worth?" fear
ing she would not think me worthy further
conversation unless l questioned her after
mentioning such a democratic fabric as
muslin. l am inclined to give her the
benefit of the doubt, however. I don't think
there was any intended malice in her reply,
but it was as follows:
"In silk, $25; in cambric. from S12 to $18."
"But" said, "I want something more
reasonable, and something that will not re-
quire laundrying often"
well, I can make you some of black
Henrietta finished farmers satin for IS
pair
HER FINAL FITTINGS.
felt like answering Shakespeare's query,
"What's in a name?" with the word money,
but refrained, and said instead, "What is
your estimate upon dress like you are
wearing, which was the simplest style of the
Jenness Miller patterns-a full skirt, shirred
waist, and wide belt made of India silk"
After a certain amount of figuring on the
materials it would require, she said,
"Thirty-fve dollars would be the lowest
estimate 1 can possibly make" 1 began
to realize that 1 was not one of fortunes
favorltes," but woman dependent upon her
own resources entirely for funds. The fig
ures were enormous, but as my time was
limited, knew no alternative, so gave my
order and signed over check for nearly two
months salary.
At the end of the week, after various fit
tings, 1 went for the final 'try on" The
chemisettes were lovely, dainty as could be,
but as 1 looked at them thought it would
be much more sensible for me to wrap them
up in tissue paper and put them in my trunk
than to wear them and send to promiscuous
washwomen. The leglets were not so pretty,
and when I got into them felt as if some
unseen power was trying to lift me off nay
feet, but when I remarked the sensation
the Madame silenced me with, "Of course
they will feel strange to you until you be-
come accustomed to them, but you will soon
like them, everyone does. See mine,' land
she raised her dress displaying as trim and
neat little foot and leg (Jenness says that
is the proper name for that extremity as
ever leglets encased.
AND HER EXPERIENCE.
Ny purchases were sent home Saturday
evening and Sunday morning came out in
my full glory. tried to imagine that I
was more comfortable than ever before in