Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-16
GIRLS DO ADMIRE THEM.
A National Guardsman Appeals Strongly to
Feminine Fancy.

National Guardsman Appeals Strongly to
Feminine Fancy.
Rub-a-dub, rut-a-plan, hurrah, hurrahl
The soldiers are coming, and every feminine
heart, from the ae that throbs under lace
and satin to that under the bib of linen
apron, beats faster. What Is the witching
fascination of epaulettes and brass buttons?
We have all seen it. Nay, is there girl of
us who has not felt it? Is it the man or his
clothes? This question propounded to a
young lieutenant the other evening. He
was a blonde-haired, sweet-faced boy; an
ideal military beauty; a sort of Onidaesque
hero. knew him to be an idol of women,
petted and llonized wherever he showed his
handsome face and erect, manly figure In
uniform. He was an excursionist to the
National Guard Convention in Washington.
well, both" he answered with some
hesitation. ga handsome man always looks
better for a picturesque costume, and our
uniform is rather becoming, you know.
Even a plain fellow looks well in it. Then
women love strength and bravery, and
soldiers are supposed to be both brave and
strong, even if they are not. A woman
likes a man who she thinks can protect her,
and one of our men heimeted and panoplIed,
fragilitv, does he not?''
"But your military men are such wretched
hirts.'
"Pardon me-" he said with gentle depre-
cation, "vou are mistaken. We can always
meet Airt halt way Oh her own ground.
1t is one of two fates to conquer or be con-
quered."
"Then having conquered, you go away
and torget?"
mot always. The soldier has nothing
dearer than the picture of his sweetheart
who began a campaign with malice prepense
perhaps, and ended by yielding to the sweet
captivity of love-"
"What are the souvenirs most sought by
your lady admirers?"
Buttons ALWAYS, though 1 have known
fringe from epaulettes and gloves to have
gone as trophies OF ball or parade. I
know one little Washington coquette who
festooned the walls of her room with strings
of them. Each button meant a shattered
military heart"
"Why is it that the girls love the military
SOP" 1 asked brilliant woman, thorough
paced cOquette, belle, dashing, stunning
brunette.
"Why! What question, t" she responded.
'Why because-O, pshaw! IT you had ever
strolled out on a moonlit balcony with a
handsome young guardsmaD and he had
stood so close to you that your cheek almost
grazed his epaulette, you wouldn't ask such
a foolish question. The sight of brass but
tons is as exhilarating as champagne. The
men in civilian dress look all alike-a
dreadful sameness. But the uniform sets
off mans beauty if he have any, and trans
forms an ugly chap into possible hero. A
well-bred military man has an indefnable
charm. He is at once tender and command
ing. By his air he tells you that he can
protect you, and you must respect him. He
is not merely a dancing young man to
dawdle about and hunt your fan. He is
willing anu ready to do you any service,
however slight; but you cannot order him
about as you would lackey, or the average
society youth"
"What do women do with their military
souvenirs?"
II will show you what one woman does, I"
she said, as she showed suspended from her
neck by a ribbon, tarnished brass button.
ut has lain on my heart for many a day, -
she whispered, "sDd it will lie there in my
grave"
On the principle that imitation is the
sincerest hattery, the women copy the mill
tary fashions in dress as far as possible. It
may yet be the correct thing for women to
give the military salute to acquaintances,
and am positive it will always be fashion
able for them to present arms" to those
they love. NELL NELSON.