Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-30
A DISGUSTING HABIT.
The Prevalence lof Snuff-DiPping In East
Tennessee.
ICor Utica Observer.l

The Prevalence lof Snuf-Dipping In East
Tennessee.
ICor. Utica Observer
The mountain ranges of East Tenn esses
are dotted with camps, the houses OF
summer visitors. A correspondent called
recently at q cottage situated at one OF
these reso rts, and from her description Of
what occurred during her visit an idea
may be obtained Of the prevalence OF
snuff-dipping among Southern women.
and of tho way in which it is done. A
number of them arrived at the cottage
while the correspondent was there, and
81 must OBSERVE" she writes, ''that ]
have seen prettier women, old and y Dung,
here than elsewhere" After introduce
tions and commonplace tchit- chat. the
men withdrew to lounge in the shade OF
the trees, and a change took place among
the women directly after their depart
ure.
"Air they gone fur .good" asked the
elderly maiden along in the twentles,
running her hand into a pocket among
the fittings and puffings Of her dress
skirt.
Eyes; see them settling themselves on
the benches with their knives and pipes"
replied this Sister Anne, a tidy, childish
miss of fifteen, slyly peeping out at the
objects of their remarks.
The aged hostess said to the first
speaker, 'Hain't you got q toothbresh?"
A negative shake of the head was given,
and she addressed the youngest:
Run out Graingie, honey, an git
granny toothbrush; l dropped mine in
the fire this mornin'."
During her absence the relative merits
of several kinds Of wood were discussed
as best for the desired implement, but all
agreed that althea couldn't be beat. The
reader may imagine me with my full
quota of Ewes inheritance awakened,
but womanlike, covered by an impene-
trable assumption of indifference to these
mysterious proceedings.
Miss Graingie returned, and, quietly
seating herself near me, diligently chewed
bit of twig while talking about last sea-
son at the springs.
Five chairs were presently drawn closer
together about the hearth, little fat
pasteboard box was handed to the hostess,
who now had in her hand the twig afore-
said. failed to perceive the sleight- Of
hand performance that resulted in the
twig protruding from the aged lips. The
box passed into the hands of the lady out
of her teens who politely reached it over
to me-
took it, and quick glance showed the
words Scotch snuff" on the label.
"She don't Dip" laughed the young
bot I.
she hasn't prejudices about anybody DING
anything they please that's nice.
''Oh, don't they dip snuff where you
come FROM" cried dainty girl of sweet
sixteen, scooping a little stickful of the
brown powder, and with practical mo-
ton of the fingers transferring it to the
right side of the cheek and deftly moving
it to and fro along the teeth or gums, the
short end of the twig showing between
tn CHERRY Iipe lips.
When all were served a lazy, dronipg
conversation followed, interrupted by the
sizz of elected fluid on the live Goals, and
/ was informed that almost every lady in
the State enjoys her snuff privately; none
but very coarse persons expose themselves
by dipping in public, or before men; that
new corners mad fun at first but soon
took to the ha bit. etc.
After several months residence here ]
am led to believe the assertion incorrect,
and the habit is not nearly 50 prevalent
among the better class as it is ,repre.
sented.
When the dip was used up the brush
ends of the sticks were surreptitiously
dried and pat in pockets, corners of
mouths rubbed with hand ker chiefs, and
a walk under the trees followed The old
dame, like most old woman. snuff dip
pers, retained her toothbrush between
the middle of her lips, and, through long
years of practice, it in no way incom.
NODDED her tongues manipulation OF
words