Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1892-12-16
Eskimo Tailoring.

the KITE" DR.. Keely tells how he hais
nair of trousers made for himself among
the natives of West Greenland. It VIII
be remembered that the Kite was tue
steamer that took Lieutenant Peary ana
his wife to the Arctic regions 10 tue
spring of 1891:
"Peeping into ore of the huts, 'a"
woman diligently employed in c'ittIng
and sewing skins. Strewn all about the
interior were furs aud sewing imple-
ments, snd it appeared evident that |
had found a tailor. As I was suffering
for a new pair of trousers, here was
chance not to be lost, and negotiations
were at once opened with the lady for
fheir Manufacture, Dy presenting her
with a knife.
.Tt was not withou. considerable dif-
ficulty that succeeded iu conveying to
her au approximate idea of the style OF
article desired, as wished them to reach
to the feet instead OF only just below che
knee, as was la mode at Cape YORK.
So much was at last made clear, but the
addition of pockets being beyond her
powers Of comprehension, was com
PEELED 20 forego those luxuries.
"Tne question Of style having been
decided, she proceeded to take my
measure. This was done in rather
primitive manner. Having selected seal
skin of sufficient length aud width, it
was wrapped around the limb, the fur
side inward. The surplus material was
then bent over with the fingers, aud the
skin removed. The crease SO formei
served as a guide for the next procedure
which consisted in biting along the line
with the teeth, SO as to cause the fold TO
lie hat.
"This being accomplished, the skin
was again applied to toe lim), and a teT
slight alterations were marked with s1
additional bite here and there. Tns
shape having been outlined, the skin
was again removed, anl the lines thus
marked being followed with a rudely
made knife, the cutting Of the trousers
was completed.
"To facilitate the work, offered her
the use OF a pair Of scissors, which had
brought with me from the shipi but be-
ing entirely unfamiliar with their use,
she preferred her own knite aud seeing
[ was only delaying operations, | made
no more suggestions. Desiring to hastea
work, | gave her few additional
needles, but soon found that Eskimo
character resemblei in some respects
that existing in more temperate zones,
and that, in short, it was not always
good policy to pay in advance.
'Instesd Of working faster, my tailor
Jagged still more; indeed, 50 little
progress was made, aud so ev ident was
it that she was only endeayo ring to ex'
tort iditioual pay from me that, appre'
eating my mistake, and despairing OF
getting my much needed trousers con-
pleted, I decided on taking them away
as they we're.
"Just at this moment was discov-
cred by some Of M companions from
the Kite, aud as they were about return =
ing to the ship. got really to accom-
paly them. Taking the undni'aei
trousers away from the woman, wao
parted With them reluctantly, we starte
of. We had not gone far when we sa"
that she was following US; apparently
she regretted her un'eenly oehiVior'
and wished to make amends. Toe snip
was soon reached, and finding the decks
full Of natives, l at once contracted with
some of them to have tue work com
pIeted on board.
Several women began on them aud
IS soon as my back was turned my
original tailor joined them. By the
laughter which soou arose felt c0n-
yinced that they appreciated the true
state Of affairs, aud were amused at her
discontinue. The trousers were sooa
finished, and 1 wore them until our re-
turn south necessitated a change to more
civilized attire"