The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-01-18
THE DoINas OF woMHN.
1t was Dress, Not Drink, That Did the
Mischief

Mischief
NEW YORK, Jan. 17.-There was an cd
little scene at a famous restaurant the other
day at the dinner hour which caused the
wicked to smile and the judicious-such of
them as understood its signifcance-to
grieve. There entered a decidedly hand
some woman Of rather full habit, attended
by two men, apparently her husband and
son. The lady wore a striking frock in
maize color and copper, cut with one
of those long, narrow, stomachered
bodices modelled after the costumes In which
Holbein used to paint the princesses of the
house of Tudor Her throat was bare and
white, and about it rose at the back high
collar of brown fur. Her sleeves expanded
at the wrists like the petals of flowers, the
falling rutiies of lace oDscuring her twink
ling rings. Her maize-colored velvet hat
had flaring brim of jet that framed her
coppery hair like halo. She was fair of
skin, stately. slow moving, most imposing
They party took table near the window,
many eyes following. A waiter took their
order and in due time began to serve. And
here one or two who SAT nearest noted
little pecu iarity; the lady's Oyster fork
was in her hand, she raised it on or twice
half way to her hps it fell back, she 10 ked
surprised, puzzled and her face flushed
slightly.
Her husband made inquiry, she shook her
head, and when the soup came her fork was
still in her fingers Two or three other
diners raised their heads at the sound OF
suppressed exclamation. Tue lady's plump
hand rested on the edge of the cloth, she
was looking at it, her face was anxious,
crimson.
Again her husband spoke, again she re-
h,,N oh 4, 4 Al
tasted soup and had itself been taken away,
the hand rose heavily, dropped the fork
with chatter and, as If the effort OF will
were exhausted, sank in her lap lifeiess. In
the woman's eyes was growing a painful
embarrassment that amounted to mute
agony.
Marie" there was a sharp note in the
mans voice that widened the circle of listen
ers. "Marie-n
II CAN'T"
There was no mistaking the thrill of
shame and even terror. The man was on
his feet and ripples Of interest ran farther
and farther in their journey across the
room.
81 can'tl can't, it won't" The woman's
voice died in the little stir, but even to the
tips of her ears the red tide seemed bursting
through the skin.
Then comep
Sue made as if she would stand, but fell
back into her chair II can't2 Won't you
,understandp' Her voice was a wall.
The husband and the younger man lifted
her and helped her staggering to the pave-
ment. Did you ever" said young man
who had looked on. 'see a woman in such a
terrible conditionp'
"My dear fellow" replied a knowing
little woman, '.it was dreadful, but don't
let the wrong bee buzz in your mustaches.
Unless am greatly mistaken, it was not
case of drink, but OF dress; 5 not "a thing to
explain to gentleman, but that lady was
as sober as YOU are, only she had on q new
Tudor frock and thRt-well, of course you
don't know Anything about it, bat that
calls for new and very stiff and very tight
stays"
what has that to do
ut has great deal to do with it, but
wouldn't say word except that y u would
go away and talk about the frightful in
crease of the drink habit among women.
Now you lace your corset very close-of
course you don't and DOT either, but you
know what l meaa-and it drives all the
blood in your body into the extremities.
Plenty Of women can'5 wear with any
co Mort their regular sizes Of OTIS
and gloves the first few time they put
on new stays; the feet and hands are
swollen. Now, Pvo seen women affected
like thai once or twice before. / know
woman who couldn't shake hands with
guests on her reception afternoon. Her
arms felt dull and heavy, and sue thought it
was inciplent paralysis, bus when her maid
undressed her and relieved the gorge of |
blood she was as well as before. IL was |
temporary paralysis from tight lacing. And /
knew-O, yen may laugh, l only wanted |
you to see it wasn't punch; well, perhaps, |
pressure is just as notifying.
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