Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-22

wardrobe, yet find my closet dlsagreeaoly
full at least once veal"
The lady smiled inscruta5ly, saying: 'Ths
poor we have always with US. I see You
look incredulous, but it is an absolute fact
that my Worth gowns help to warm many
poor creature every winter. Not,
of course, in their first estate.
Madame is the magician that makes them
available. When I have told you my part
of the story will send you to her for the
rest. You see, if one goes out great deal.
heaps of clothes are necessity and the more
unique and striking gown is, the shorter
its season of usefulness. For people remem-
ber it and do not fail to remark its appear.
ance if at all frequent. A clever maid, with
knack in her fnger-tips, can transform
simple gown with new draperies and trim
min9s, but give her an embroidered French
creation, radiant with the individuality OF
Worth or Pngat, and she bungles terribly
80 terribly, in fact, that the last stage OF tho
garment is more notable than the first. The
most serviceble gown in the world is silk
OF velvet. very handsome and well-cut, ous
severely plain, upon which all sorts of trim
Inings NAV be superimposed to give the ef-
feet of different costumes By so clothing
youself you will escape reproach. On the
other hand, your Style will never be re.
marked: and what woman could bear tbatf
They GLADDEN. Poor Relations
"Nearly all prominent society women have
sisters, cousins, aunts, nieces, friends or
proteges so situated as to make the gift OF
their scarcely worn garments more than
acceptable. That is what becomes of a deal
of society's frills. Their new owners make
them over, or wear them intact in fresh
fields and conQuestS new. One Fifth avenue
matron within my knowledge IS a sort OF
special providence to many people of whom
she knows hardly more than their names.
The surplus OF her wardrobe goes into the
hands of a noblv generous creature who de-
lights TO distribute among other gentle-
women who are secure enough of their gen.
tility not to take Offense at the gift.
"Tbat sort of thing goes on largely abroad,
where the ranks of poor gentlewomen are
so pitifully crowded There is more of 10
here, too, than you would imagine. could
name you more than one belle and beauty
whose career would be impossible but for
such good help. Very handsome stunS are,
of course sometimes worked over by dress
makers outside, but it is the exception, NOS
the rule. In London, though, you ALWAYS
count on getting new evening gown OUT
of your court train, after you have been
presented. 1t is four to five yards long, and
heaven knows how many breadths wide-so
it is as easy to deal with as new stuf; be-
sides there is the lining fora new undergown.
Historic brocades, too, are kept and made
over. Indeed, as a rule, each one of us cher
ishes very rich silk of any peculiar sort,
real lace of all sorts, Lyons velvet and saole.
In each of these we buv such quantities as
deserve to become heir looms, and for the
most part we keep them very well.
Maids in Mistresses' Gowns.
sour maids of course, come in for many
things even such as is mani!estly impos-
sible for them to wear. But generosity
toward ones personal attendant is more and
more taking other forms. Disagreeable con-
tretemps have more than once arisen from
the maids appearing in the garb or the or
nament5 OF the mistress; sometimes, too,
such gifts are purposely nIsused-for re-
venge sometimes, or in aid of questionable
$50 madame is more than ever blessing
and necessity. She is the dearest, neat,
nook. She has been in busf-
ness years and years. We all have her adj
dress, and when gowns and wraps begin to
clutter everything, she Is sent for, comes in
a cab, trips about pulling over and peeping
at things, then SAYS: 81 give the lady so
many dollars" counts out the money-ft Is
usually in gold-and then goes away. Next
day trunk or two leaves the ho1se, but in
charge of someone who knows where to take
it. At about the sarpe time, maybe, tho
charity organizations receive sum OF
money, either anonymously or accompanied
by a well-knOwn name-and, oddly enough,
iG is exactly theamount that madame left be-
hind her. Not great sum either.
"Has madame other customers? Heaps OF
them, though madame never tattles-it would
ruin her business. Though why we should
be ashamed of dealing with her, passes my
1t is for q laudable purpose,
the money all goes in charity. and does good
where the old clothes could only do harm"
A Riot of Rare Finery.
A card took the inquisitive person to this
mysterious madame, and proved an open
,esame to the wonders Of her shop. The
lalf had not been told of It. Worth gowns
overhowed the closets, the presses, the big
trunks that lined the wall, oil with the
Makers stamp, and many with hardly
race of wear. Felix, Pingat, Redfern and 20
more famous names were on the various
.arments, heaped and huddled about the
lueer small place. 1t was riot of silk, of
mDroidery. of jeweled beading and epheme-
al lace Madame fingered the gowns lov-
nglv. This garment came from next door
o Vanderbilt; that one had figured at an
Astor ball; another's sole appearance was at
Newport dinner, its wearer being forced
o put on mourning within the next week,
Iere were gowns from Murray Hill; there
we're ten meant for a belle in upper Fifth
venue, also suddenly bereaved. Indeed all
bout were waves and bil1Ows OF social his
ory, made manifest in color and sheen, in
ilk and gold and silver and pearl.
Madame, of course, buys to sell again.
Ter customers are first of all actresses, par.
;cularly those on tours. A list Of those
those proportion she bears in mind would
q revelation. That she has done much to
levate the stage must be apparent to all
Tho read that she makes iG possible to play
n Worth gowns at cost OF SIS to $50 each-
After them comes an army of womankind
mo. care more for excellence of cut than
Dr. absolute freshness in their garments,
together she and her shop are little bis
Paris set down in New York's heart.