The Colfax chronicle., 1890-04-19
A DUDES PHILOSOPHY.
His Apparel a Matter Of Principle
and Not Mere Vanity.
"Well-Dressed Men Get the Best OF IT,
ss He Shows by 1Iis Own Experi-
ence = How Hc Cares for His
Wardrobe.

- no onVWS " 1AA8 OWn ExR0rl-
ence = How Hc Cares for His
wardrobe.
81 am . dude. What is more am
not at all ashamed of the fact, but, on
the contrary, glory in it."
This singular declaration of principles
was made to Chicago Journal reporter
by young man who moves in very
select West Side society circles. The
reporter had started out to investigate
the subject of dudes, and If possible
how they live, move and have their
being among the gilded throng on, in
many cases, such salaries as plenty OF
estimable young Bohemians would find
1t difficult to pay board, room rent and
the other little expenses incidental to .
journalistic career. He had by accident
run across young man to whom on .
previous occasion he had been able to
render service, and with that innate
modesty for which Worlds Fair city re-
porters are pretty famous he had asked:
"What can you tell me about dudes?'
The answer as given above fairly
daxed him fort moment. He knew that
the statement was founded on . rock-
ribbed basis of eternal truth, but he was
not prepared Tor that answer, which hit
him like knock-down blow delivered
straight from the shoulder.
'Yes, ! am what people call . dude, !"
continued the young man without the
blush of shame mantling his by NO
means unmanIy cheek, "and am pre-
pared to give good reasons why l am
one, provided you win not give the
faintest clue to my identity"
The promise was readily made and his
dudeship proceeded:
"As you probably don't know, when I
came to Chicago had nothing but
couple Of abominably made suits Of
clothes. 500 in cash which my poor old
father gave me to start in the world
with, and few letters Of introd uction
to men now prominent in business, with
whom the pater had served in the army.
As the years passed they had continu-
ally climbed the ladder, while he,
higher up in the army 1t the close Of
the war than they, had somehow no
talent for civil business and conse-
quently had dropped back in the race.
In the little town / came from had all
ways been considered something Of
swell, but my first day in Chicago con-
vinced me that there were more things
about clothes that our country tailor
did not know than those he did. To be
sure, had no idea how dreadfully sue-
gestive was Of clover and timothy, Just
At first.
"Well, / went to one Of the gentle
men to whom had letter, and pre-
sented it to him In person at his office.
He was banker, and as he gave me one
searching look from head to foot from
under his shaggy eyebrows and motioned
me to q seat while he finished . conver-
sation with q stylishly-dressed young
fellow of about my own age, leaving my
letter Of introduction unopened on his
desk, my heart sank into my boots.
THE aforesaid, though they were
rightly polished, were built on the mud
scow model, and looked terribly clumsy
In comparison with those of the young
fellow to whom the banker was talking.
Having glanced at his shoes, natur-
ally raised my eyes and took in his gem
eral get up and admitted to myself
that l had never seen . young man quite
80 admirably rugged out in the whole
course Of my existence. His collar, tie,
suit hst-which lay on the desk-cuffs,
shoes-all were in q style and taste
which, little as knew about such things