davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1892-05-26


plump or weak and thin, an awk-
ward one-motioned machine, fit only
to carry about that helpless yet
regnant idol, the dummy. Where the
dummy is, there must the skirt be also.
The causes Of this dual monster, separate
yet indivisible, lie 50 wide and So deep
that we cannot seek their uttermost
roots in one short article We must
begin with comparatively modern
causes, things easily seen and proved.
And let rs premise that neither the
desire for comfort nor for beauty is
among them.
The need for warm and thorough
clothing has always existed in cold
countries; we have clothing among the
Eskimo, but not the dummy.
The demand for ornament is as old as
Eden. We have ornament among the
South Sea Islanders, but not the dummy
Not in sayagery, not IN barbarism, not
in the pagan cults do we find it; not in
the Dark Ages, either; no, it is the very
flower and crown, the last perfect prod
uct Of modern Christian civilization.
Shall we go behind those deep desires
ito be slender" ito be smooth
With these demands as a handspring,
and our natural sense Of abstract pro
portion as aregulator, the course Of con
struction il plain?
Would you be slender:
Squeeze the waist.
An ugly line is produced, and it hurts.
Fit the whole body tight and then
squeeze.
This is done, but still there are hori-
zontal wrinkles when the body bends.
Would You be smooth?
Stiffen the dress and then squeeze.
This is done, but rich materials are in
jured by the strain.
Hal | have it, Put simple stiff thing
underneath and make the dress smooth
over it.
The corset was bornl But the first
stays were crude affairs at best
The grand, intelligent curves Of bosom
and hip did not agree with the unyield-
ing plane in the middle.
SO the normal instinct Of proportion
and harmony, acting on this absolutely
essential base, slowly evolved the un-
dulating prison that now blends and
compels all the free, noble, necessary
lives of the body into one set and sense
less shape.
This accomplished, that same normal
instinct of harmony and proportion, act
ing on the same absolutely essential
base, found that the new kind Of body
did not agree with the old kind of legs,
or even with the new kind of legs as
long as they moved at all. The bold ins
and outs Of the superb dummy left the
eye sadly dissatisfied with a straight
skirt like that in Fig. 4.
With the waist dipping in SO sweetly,
and the abdomen quite surprising the
bust in prominence, there was strange
lack somewhere.
So the skirt was made fuller and full
er, until d final inspiration brought that
utmost beautifer-the hustle. Why, Of
course, if it looks too full in front make
it still fuller behind, then you are all
right. Docs ou beautiful, laborious
structure on top seem ncongruous with
those seminatural walking machines be-
low? Presto. yon shall forget there ever
were such!
And we have forgotten. Who could
ever imagine that there We're legs to
run with, arms to cling with. breast for
babes and lap for love to nestle in-that
fair and mystic crown Of our humanity
daughter, sister mother, wife-in the
dummy:
CHARLOTTE PERKINS STETsoN.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1892-05-26

The new spring gowns are character
lied by lightness and delicate effects
which have not been seen in Paris for
many seasons. The crepons, the spring
weight wools and the silks and grena-
dimes all have light and floating effect,
given partly by lace and ribbons, and
partly by the waving accordion plisses
which one sees everywhere. And the
windows and magazines are full Of
painted or printed muslins and of light
silks with cascades Of ruf1es Of chiffon
and silk null SO fine that breath sets
it waving
There are beautiful light parasols Gov
cred with floating ruffles Of chiffon. fans
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1892-05-26

Comes now the crank upon the scene.
Who lays aside his reason;
Who talks of naught but fouls and flies.
Who lauds his favoritcs 10 the skies.
Who splits with yclls the azure dome
When Ginger johnson slides in home,
Who wants TO break the umpire's face
When Houlihan's denied first base.
Who wearies all his fellow men
BY playing each game over again.
Who goes to sleep to dream o. nights
That we've the pcnnant dead to rights:
For now's the baseball season.
Indianapolis Journal
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1892-05-26

Trotting races in Russia were formerly
trotted by the competitors starting toward
each other from opposite directions, but
now they all trot in the same direction, a.
in this country
William Hayward, who has been almost
constantly in the saddle since 1858, wheE
he rode for Mr.. Merry In England, has
been engaged to ride for Barridge Bros. OF
New York. this season.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1892-05-26
Boudoir Gencralship.

Jane-That Mr. Shallowpate is at the
door. Shall tell him you are engaged'
Miss Pinkle-Show him into the parlor
Jane.
'.Yes'm"
"And, Jane, after he lays his box Of
candy on the mantelpiece, tell him l am
out. New York Weekly.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1892-05-26

only one word Gladys. he pleaded.
zone little wortl1'
The young woman looked at the slender
shanked youth ON his knees before her, and
she opened her beautiful lips and softly
said Rats Chicago Tribune.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1892-05-26

um height and of noticeably fine ply
sique, Mrs. Mccormack has brought to
her American home fair English face.
Mrs. Mccormack is an experienced
equestrienne and good whip. Her
appearance on the avenue attracts all
eyes. During her brief residence il
Chicago she has drawn about her a
legion Of loyal friends.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1892-05-26

a Jester sat ii his lonely cave,
B. G. 904,
And he cracked him there Joke which set
All tho ncighboring tribes a-roar;
His gentle spirit has long since fed
trust 10 the realms of day.
But thccxcelient qnip that he sprung read
Ia paper the other day.
- New York Herald.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1892-05-26

covered with
pufs and rufHes
Of the same, and
wells and scarfs
for hats Of the
me delicate
material. What
a pity it remains
so dear when it
i SO pretty.
For immediate
wear there are
light colored Bed
fords, cashmeres
and woolens, with
quaint but beau
tiful figures WOW
en- OF printed
thereon, and no
matter what the
pattern Of the
silk, a chameleon
effect more or
less pronounced
is observed. The
highest novelty
is Broussa silk,
which is Grape
IL - u
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1892-05-26
s. Chicago Iseaufr.

Mrs. Hamilton Mccormack, of Chi
cago, i Of English birth, being the
daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. Edward
Plummer, Of Canterbury. She received
liberal education and is fine linguist
and Greek scholar Rather above medi-
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1892-05-26

Blinks-Hello Harry. I've seen half o
dozen men looking for you this morning
Harry terminating on his canehead)-l
wonder what they could have wanted.
BIinks Significantly Possibly they
heard you were going to leave town.--De-
troit Free Press.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1892-05-26
An Angel on Earth.

Twas at the matinee,
In front of me She sat;
bless that happy day,
For she took off her hatl
1t was wondrOus thing.
Its brim was broad and flat;
1t had towering bow and wing
But she took off her hiatt
And Is she young or old?
And is she lean or fat?
! care not, bless her soull
The dear took Off her hat.
Boston Transcript.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1892-05-26

1t is not like any kind Of body, this
dummy, for all live bodies are the visi-
BILE sum Of multitudes Of perfectly
adapted interplaying muscles and sup
porting bones.
And yet it has a certain charm of its
own, this dummy, fixed proportion of
Hogarth's lines of beauty, appealing to
the eye with the same satisfaction given
by a well turned baIuster, a substantial
vase.
That is to say the true type does-the
revolving dummy; but when applied to
conjectural human body underneath,
the result is not so happy, and the fixed
proportion Of lines of beauty suffers in
its deadly conflict with the lines of ac-
ton and structural necessities of the
creature inside.
Those who most affect it, however,
having no object in life to interfere with
this ambition and consistently avoiding
all motions and positions incompatible
with a dummy, achieve a measurable
triumph, losing all semblance of their
faulty human shape and becoming al.
most perfect.
But among the masses of humanity
the struggle is unequal. The cruel needs
of life call for more or less normal exer-
ton, and as the bones and muscles Of
the creature become stronger and tho
bones and stitches of the dummy weaker,
owing to necessary cheapness and
homemade futility, the result is wholly
unsatisfactory to look at and highly un-
pleasant to feel.
Let us first study a little the distinc-
tive features Of the dummy-its main
points of antagonism to the natural
body, its mysterious and lasting charm
and then cast brief glance into its
laws and causes
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1892-05-26
$780,

to the waist, Of
uniform horizon
tai dimensions,
and melting i'm
perceptibly into
t h Q genera II
curves Of "the
figure 1t serves
to indicate by a
II noncom initial
prot tn b erance
some faint, dis
tant and conven-
tionalized idea
Of the form be-
meath, and SO. tc
distract the mind
from the beauti-
ful body Of wo-
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1892-05-26


dummy, for its
shape does v&y
a little from year
to year, is its
smooth immobil-
ity. In this it
partakes Of the
nature of u cara
pace OF shell,
holding the body
as a turtles body
is held, in solid
walls.
The creature
inside can move
itsueck and arms
and legs, though
even these are
greatly modified
in size and shape
by the central
press ure and
marginal restric-
tions; but it can
only move its
body all at once,
like the soup rep
tile above mem
toned. Nature
has long since
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1892-05-26


triumph Of everlasting law, SO intricate
and subtle product of contradictory
forces
To search little into its genesis, to
follow humbly and reverently the steps
which have led to this present height ia
now our object.
Well knowing that no form in the
universe exists without a cause; that
every limit in size and shape, every curve
and line and angle Of organic nature
shows the pressure of life from within
shaped by resistance from without, one
wonders, with a respectful scientific
wonder, what power and what resistance
combined to form the strange, unearthly
shape portrayed in Fig, /.
1t is like nothing in heaven or earth,
this dummy, or the waters under the
earth. 1t is no more like woman's
body than this is like horse:
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1892-05-26

man BODY below
and the inhunan
dummy above
would be as
suredly resented.
Moreover the
dummy, in its un-
ceasing struggle
with the body.
b as materially
affected the legs
as well as the
other parts.
They have long
since ceased to be
the swift, agile,
muscular, self
respecting, me-
chanical inple-
ments they once
were-har1noni-
ous. beautiful
strongand have
hoaA.,, "a ~r,,.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1892-05-26

one thing it always must be-slender.
And here ensues most pathetic
struggle, the long, noble, persevering
struggle of the dummy with the crude
human form.
After the smooth iInmobility and the
slenderness come certain relative curves
and proportions, which have to vary
somewhat with the individual, some
proving extremely refractory in this,
and which also vary somewhat with the
course of time.
But speaking broadly and elastically,
the form is like that shown in Fig. 3.
This is what is called "the figure,
and its three most prominent features
we may name the waist, the bust and
the hustle.
The waist we have touched upon
under the attribute of slenderness, but
the bust and the hustle need special
mention. All these are closely inter-
related when we como to cause
The bust is conventional outline,
bearing certain curvilinear proportion
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1892-05-26
A MATTER OF FIGURE
THE DRESSMAKER'S DUMMY is FEAR
FULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE.

The Animated Dummy l. Likewise a
Remarkable Exhibit-The Genesis and
Development of Fashionable Forms OF
Dress Interesting. If Not Convincing.
Copyright, 1892, BY American Press Associa-
tion.l
There is something about the modern
"fgure, the female figure, as given
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1892-05-26

cheerfully adapted herself to this con-
dition, and the live dummies never think
of moving their bodies-the body and the
dummy have become one, in their minds
at least
Next in order of Importance comes
the shape.
This changes in some degree with the
changing years. 1t may be long in pro-
portion or short, it may be flat relatively
or it may be round, it may be curved
parginally or it may be pointed; but
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1892-05-26
DELAWARE RIVER RAILROAD.

DELAWARE RIVER RAILROAD.
Leave Pennsgrove for Philadelphia 90 6.55 sos
A NJ, 1875. sos P. NJ. Sundays, 7.30 A. NJ, and
450 Pm
Leave Philadelphia for Pennsgrove, 500 and
93U A. NJ, 80. 500, $40 Pm Sundays
S15 A. M 5.15 P. M
Leave Woodbury. for Pennsgrove &. OF &. 40, 10 10
a., 2O3, 3.33, 6.l4 P NJ. Sundays 8 So A. NJ,
81 %.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1892-05-26

.
in its full perfec-
ton by the dress
makers revolv-
ing dummy, and
followed in vary
ing degrees of
perfection by the
dre ssma k e RS
prone n aiding G
dummy, h a t
strikes awe and
admiration to the
heart Of the
thoughtful be-
holder.
Awe, because
it is SO wonder
full, unaccount-
able, inconpre-
hensiblel "A d.
miration, be-
fsa41ca II ic ut7cl1 a
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1892-05-26

whether low or high, at the back or
sides, is another variously modulated
protuberance less fixed in proportion
or position than the bust and far more
bewildering in effect.
But it may be supposed to exist
mainly as an important addition to the
skirt, both combining to convince the
beholder that the dummy has no legs.
By skirt do not in any way refer
to the robe OF gown, however long, but
to that separate field of cloth extend
ing from the waist to the feet, every
inch Of which is constant protest
against legs. 1t depies them point blank
by its shape, it obstructs them contin-
ually by its size, it forever injuries their
usefulness by its weight and pressure,
it outrages and insults them by its com
position and decoration In all these
attacks the hustle is powerful assist
ant. Certain atrocities of skirt indeed
could never be perpetrated without the
hustle.
Let me mention in this connection a
strange myth about these two, namely,
that the hustle lightens the weight of
the skirt How carrying two things can
make one thing lighter is a mystery the
maintenance Of which shows the power
of the dummy over the mind.
The skirt is not in one sense a part of
the dummy, and yet it is So essential an
appendage that no dummy could long
exist without it. The anomaly is indeed
seen on the stage and in the circus ring,
but even so has failed to command gen
eral imitation.
Base and trucking as is the popular
eye, the constant presentation of the hu-
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1892-05-26
VOLUME XIV.
E'ARMS FOR SALE ]!

One containing 50 acres. A model farm in all
respects. Location excellent. Convenient TO
railroad, stores post office, etc Would make
very fine building sites.
One containing ABS acres fronting on the Della
ware river. 200 acres meadow. balance good
farm or truck land. Two sets of good buildings.
Could be conveniently divided Near railroad
and navigation. Rare chance to secure good
farm.
Also several town and village properties.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1892-05-26

Lady Violet GrevilIe has written q play.
Thomas W- Kccue gavo Lis l,T00th per
formance of -Richaad IIIn i'll Baltimore
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-04-03
Lnnrnalism in Burn ali.

The News of Jan. .. published in Ara
Kan. in British Burmah. describes an ex-
perience not unlike th4t Of some mining
camp journalist. After wishing its read.
ers "a happy New Year it gives this expia
nation OF the nonappearance OF the paper
on the usual date of issue:
our excuse is this. Our whole staf. includ-
ing the editor. were so much knocked up With
the excitement Of the sports last SATURDAY
that or Sunday they wero laid up with what
our readers viii charitabiy call Arakan fever.
Monday was lxed as settling day Tor certain
bets made on Saturday. which unfortunately
for this paper were won by the wrong side. As
the losers could not stump up at once. the win
ners bombardod and took possession OF the
ONCE and the press, and refused 10 Naoe'e
until payment was made. On luesaay the
stall Of this paper ia turn a-ssaleo tA0se ~
possession and after a hard fought battle
routed them. bat IL took oil wednesday ana
Thursday % collect and arrange the forms ana
The types. which bad been freely used az ms
sizes ia Tuesday, battle. The proprietor Chains
that lie could not get the police 10 assist hiIn
o. most VI them were suffering from a suriel'
f Christmas dinner and other things 100
numerous TO mention. But ais well that ends
well
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-04-03

y wise plan has been adopted on many
Of the fast transatlantic steamships.
Hitherto all persons who died at sea
were thrown overheard. This has natu.
rally caused much pain 90 the relatives OF
the deceased. Now q steel casket is car
ried on the ship and when death occurs
the body is put in, the box is Theoretically
sealed and the remains delivered 10 the
proper person upon arrival.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-04-03

JOHN TrrINtN DICKINSON.
tarco that -oes ol between The semiannual
conferences. SO that they may keep, as it
We're .n touch with the procession The
secretaries oi the various state boards have
q thousand AID one questions TO ask. 20
every orc n which they expect an answer
Dr. IS part and parcel of the duty of the Sec
rotary % keep in contact with both Of these
clements To- see that tle national commits
a0ne~ are properly posted. so that when
thrg go 90 the semiaunuai meetings they
may have some idea of what has been done
and what they VIII have 90 DO. and To see
also that no question from the state secre-
taries which relates 90 the success Of the
various movements with which they are
associated remains unanswered
Itmag appear that even TINS task would
be sufficient Co keep active The brains OF
half 3 dozen trliry men. but this IS only
Il pori iou Of t4e duties within the Jurisdic-
ZION " the secretary az the national COM
mission His department must keep all
the records Of that body. all It's accounts,
80 must be represented 40 all the meetings
Of the committees. and it must be able 10
tell OF hand just what has been accom-
p. she'd and what remains 20 be accom-
its finger on the pulse Of the national end
of the enterprise. but DO must have every
thread. every fiber subject % lis control
Iti-the great governmental storehouse Of
Information concerning the past, present
and future Of the Worlds Columbian eX-
position.
And vet it is one of the young men Of
this day and generation that presides over
the destin'es of this important department.
John TMelman Dickinson modestly owns
unto thirtv-four on his next birthday. al
though Won could tell him with perfect
honesty that De is FIVE year. older than be
looks He has face that attracts atten-
ZION in the largest tblong. Ge3rgians who
suddenly come upon him imagine for
moment that Henry W. Grady has come
hack Sd earth. and old philadelphians have
commented upon his resemblance 10 That
once GREAT giant among railroad magnates
Colonel Tom Scott, before the cares and
responsibilities Incidental 10 his connection
with The Pennsylvania railroad had streaAed
his hair with silver But comparatively
few RS his years have been-and he Is the
Youngest Worlds fair secretary Of whom
There is any roc0rd-his life has been
busy one.
Although born with a silver spoon in his
mouth lewas learning the routine of rail
road Office al thirteen, and typical American
as leis. almost every succeeding year has
found him identified with some enterprise
or movement Of q public on semipuDhc
character AT twenty-three he was secre-
rarv OF the house Of representatives OF
Texas. his native state. and subsequently
of the state capitol board In the capacity
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-04-03


CHICAGO. March 2S.-Onc Of tho busiest
Offices in chat line Of activity at present
known rs tho Worlds fair headquarters
bears upon IT'S plate glass door a legend
which informs strangers that inside is To-
Gated the secretary OF the national com
mission This door is one OF the first 20 be
unlocked in The morning and one Of the
last Co be locked up 40 night Oftentimes
the great building is In darkness and Sc
lence before the last Of the lights in this
particular room is turned out. All day
long the click of It's typewrters is unceas-
INES. and am almost continuous stream OF
callers passes over the soft velvet carpet.
Next 90 that Of Che director general il is
one Of the most impo.tant Offices Of what
may De called The National end Of the
building
Only two meetings each year are allowed
by the rules and regulations 10 the ma
uc0n commission. but the JOS gentlemen
from every state and territory Of the Union
who compose This body naturally desire to
be kept informed Of everything of impor
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-04-03

The spirit Of organization is strong, even
:, sbeli6sh. Holsters frequently travel
many thousands strong in search OF new
feeding grounds. The robust fellows IN,
variably lead the way while the wounded
and weakly follow in the rear.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-04-03
snnth American Grasshopper..

South America is afflicted either by q
fearful grasshopper pest or, what is worse,
a fundamentally mendacious newspaper
correspondent. Somebody has sent out the
settlement that grasshoppers In South
America attain q length OF five inches, and
measure nearly a foot from tip to tip Of
their wings.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-04-03
COLONEL JOHN HAY.
A Literary Man said to Be Slated for "A
Diplomatic Position.

- q
Diplomatic Position
Especial -p0ndcncel
NV vouK. March -4~There are some
infections which lead public men al
washington and in New York city 10 the
belief fh.t IL is the intention Of the presa
dent TO appoint Colonel John Hay 70 the
French mission - fiji the vacancy caused
by the resignation OF Whitelaw Red II
this proves 20 be a correct impression 1t
viii be something Of a coincidence IN view
OF the relations which were established
thirty years ago between Colonel Lay and
WhitcGw Reid.
From the time that Colonel Hay, as The
private secretary Of President Lincoln
young man who had inst attained ais ma
jority, made the acquaintance OF "nite-
law Reid, who went 10 Washington as she
Correspondent Of the Cincinnati ''a1<lA~