St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-12-26
AN AUT OGRAPH TABLE.
Striking Novelty Introduced by e
Partisan.

Partisan.
st. Louis st-Dispatch.
There is n recently invented novelty
which may interest American host
esses, and especially those of Washing
ton. where SO many celebrities most do
congregate. We have all of MS heard
of autograph fans and of album quilts,
and now the autograph table cover has
been invented by an ingenious Partisan.
1t is very simple aud inexpensive, and
interesting when completed. The table
cover itself is in plain brown holland of
the best quality and of the smOothest
prOcurable surface. 1t is bor-
dered with narrow embroidery
in scarlet thread or worsted. Then it
is transferred to the lady's drawing
room on her reception days, accom-
panied by a soft, sharp-pOinted pencil.
The hostess begS any one of her dis
tinguiShed visitors whose autograph
she deems worth preserving,to write his
OF her name with the pencil on the
table cover. She afterwards works
over the words thus traced. with fine
red thread or wOrsted, according to what
has been used for the border, and talk
ing care to follow the lines of the writ
ing with pains-taklng accuracy. In
this way she will soon find herself the
owner of a most interesting and i'm
peIishable collection of autographs, as
well as an unique. piece of parlor dec
Grafton.
The new styles of furs are beginning
to make their appearan ce, called forth
by the premature cold DAYS of last
weeF, for usually the fair Parisiennes
do not trouble themselves much about
fur clOaks or muffS till the arrival of
the holiday season. The fashionable
1an IL l.
the black aStrakhan. The former is
largely used for trimming, and the lat
ter is not only employed in the same
way, but is converted into coats, which
are the height of elegance for morning
wear. \ tOque, mBtf and jacket in
black aStrakhan form the most stylish
possible outfit for that purpose. A
plain bias skirt in twilIed serge Dor
dered with a band of aStrakhan COM
pletes the toilette. The most fashion
able of the different styles of astrakhan
is that with large loosely formed curl,
though the small curled surface is still
much worn. Only the black fur is adj
missable for jackets and muffs, the
beautiful shaded natural gray being
only employed for trimming.
Jackets are made much longer than
they were last year, and from the nape
of the neck to their lower edge must
measure at least yard and an eighth
for person of average height. This
extra length is demanded by the close
fitting plainness of the walking skirt.
Naturally these very long coats, when
composed of fur, are very costly. In
astrakhan of the best quality and made
dOuble-breasted they cost $500 EACH
When left unbuttOned the upper part
forms over The chest two deep reVers.
Made single-breasted and of an inferior
quality of fur a fairly good article can
be obtained for $3.50. Black fox is largely
used in trimming the popular Northern
velvet (velours du Nord). A very Styl-
ish cloak, or rather mantle, in this favor
lite material, is called the Mephisto. 1t
is very short. only reaching to the waist,
where it is finished by sash in satin
and faille ribbon full quarter of a yard
wide. 1t fits the figure closely, and has
very wide, loose sleeves, giving the
effect of cape, or rather that of the
short cloak worn by the demon-hero of
Gounod'S popular opera. 1t is trimmed
with wide passementerie in dead-black
silk.