Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1890-04-12
CONCERNING CLOTHES.
Mrs. Catherw ood's Homiiy on the Probler
and Worry of Dress.

ars. Catherw ood's Homity on the Problem
and Worry ofDress
l would like TO be large, fair angel
with clean, white feathers-firm and
satiny as gull's breast--and ny desire
would be that no moulting period
should ever oyertake the wearer of such
a suit.
OF all creation the human animal-as
somebody has already renarked--is the
only one born without permanent /
skin. From season TO season he must \
change his outer covering. Enormous I
] business has grown upon this misfortune I
OF man Consider the vast dry-goods /
| houses. the millionaire merchants, who |
/ fatten on wompn's vanity aloncl have
/ even heard Of dealers growing rich sell
ing neckties, IL Is startling 10 think
/ what tremendous sums are paid every
year for the movable coverings which
we wear, and soil, and east aside.
| But the worst aspect OF the case is
the thought which goes TO the making
OF all these skins. It is truly said no
woman can be well dressed unless she
thinks out her costumes or pays some
body 10 think them out. When WON
an does neither one nor the other she
falls into such gowns as come handy and
passes in the crowd as a homely thing;
when-if natural plumage her own
good works bad grown upon hcr-she
might be beautiful.
NV observation Is that the women who
are the best drcssers whose clothes
seem really part OF themselyes-stop
right there. They do not extend into
their houses and surroundings There
Is no radiation from them of womens
tastes Their dressing-rooms and homes
( exist simply as places in which they
, perform the rites Of tho toilet. Out Of
endless chaos and confusion they evolve
, themselves Their thoughts must be
!, OF fabrics and colors and shapes as adj
!. iusted to their own persons The money
A OF a good drcssmaker goes into gowns,
= bonnets aud wraps; not into etchings,
=. books. fine table linens, and china, and
, the sterling silver dear to housewifely
N hearts.
4 The average person IL like an actor;
!, the change of his costume changes him.
!, And there is nothing sadder and funnier
4, than an individual made up for one part
/, while he is innoccntly acting another.
/. We have all seen men dressed as bride
!. grooms but taking the idiotic poses oi
a Simple Simon: and women OF the coars
est typelnade up as grand ladies. We
- have seen children dressed like little ole
|, men. and old men trieked out to match
"A themselves with children; and preacher
I. who unconsciously looked like prize
fighters; and that most appalling spec
!, tacle OF all an emaciated corpse ar
1, ranged for reception instead Of being
i ROBBED for sleep.
49, Man has been g, 900 years learning HOY
II to dress. and he knows so little about !
"a nov that he is constantly changing hi
NJ outside and paying away large part o
u hi. yearly income on his appearance.
1t must make the angels feel sad.
!, The Bible says we shall be ''clothe'
upon In the next state OF being Tina
4, must mean that We shall have steady
= prcscntable skin-onc not "a bc aifccte
=, by climate; neither purchased at "a DIR
"a goods or clothing store, nor liable I
h. grow out OF fashion. Then | shall b
IN me, my life appearing through ever
a part; not shrouded by lunches OF draper
~. or deformed by waxing and waning bu
:, ties Then firm white arms and nobl
al breasts will appear in everlasting bear
-, ty; the majesty Of man and woman wi
y, be cmaneipatcd from that primeyi
=, shame which made the first clothe
Al. seekers try so Intellectually to COVE
themselves Poor old Adam and Ey
Giving up the garden was nothing ~
shat d trouble they did hand down to
all when they set us TO work at II
problem OF clothes!--Mary aartwe
CaIherwood. in Chicago Tribune.