The Wadsworth dispatch. [volume] (Wadsworth, Nev.) 1892-1899, 1893-11-18
A MAN IN P%ETTICOATS
THE QUEER NOTION OF AN OLD SOL
DER CITIZEN OF MAINE.

He Has . More Costly Feminine Wardrobe
Than Any Woman In Town-yisions OF
Lace. Ruf1es, Etc.-Weighs $50 Pounds,
but Wears n WomRn's No. o Shoe.
Commander James Robbins of the local
post G. A. r., Cooper's Mills, Lincoln
county, in this state, is one of the prom.
inent men of his community, O citizen
generally esteemed az {. man of integrity
and intelligence. Mr.. Robbins has a
brilliant war record as a member Of the
Thirtieth Maine. He has lived in the
village since 1889 and is a jeweler. His
house is u neat cottage house on the
brow of the hill as one drives into the
Mills. In the narrow front hallway is
Mr.. Robbins bench, lathe and tools, and
here you will find him placidly working
away at the tiny wheels aud springs.
If you are on sufficiently intimate
terms with Mr.. Robbins you will find
him indulging in his hobby. He has
one, like the most Of US. In his case the
hobby is startlingly picturesque. and it
may be safely said that he is the most orig
inal man in the state of Maine, SO far as
his curious fancy is concerned. He wears
~petticoats. Not when he goes down
street for the mail and to do his market
ing. At these times he slips on the mas
culine pantaloons. Yet he does not
wear his trousers, even, like ordinary
masculinity. No suspenders for him.
He wears a sort Of dress waist, and his
trousers are buttoned tightly about his
hips. He always wears a woman's num-
Der six shoe. with high heels and grace
full, slender shape. Mr.. Robbins weighs
something like 1870 pounds, and the effect
produced by those shoes peeping coyly
out from beneath manly trouser legs Is
startling. to say the least. Mr.. Robbins
doesn't mince OF toddle, and his shoes
seem to fit him pretty well.
He reserves his petticoats for the sane
tity Of the home circle, for the partial
retirement Of his orchard and for calls
upon neighbors with whom his acquaint-
ance 10 close. Mr.. Robbins isn't squeam-
ish about showing himself in petticoats.
He enjoys wearing them, he has worn
them when opportunity has presented
all his life long. and he wears them sci
entiicslly too. In the FIRST place, there's
no half way business about 1t. Every
detail Of feminine attire is there, and
Mx. Robbins is rightly fussy about the
details. =. ~ >~~ vsxnes..e.:n
There is no woman in Cooper's Mills
who swns 80 many dresses Of such excel
lena saAterisl - 3oes tie Commander Of
the Gooper's Mills post. He takes pride
In hsvtssg only the best. His lingerie IL
deliberately tucked and ruf1ied, edged
with 1acAtand fashioned according to the
most sppfuvea enodsas Of my iady's
wardrobe. Tho material ia of the finest
quality, and iwhen Mr.. Robbins lifts his
skirts the eye gets a vision Of %ruf1es, lace
and "sali snch like" Of dazzling wilderness
andsimmacuiate smoothness.
He is very particular about his IRON
ing. Everything must be starched up
10 the handle" whatever that il, and
sometimes Mrs. Robbins finds her hands
full and her clotheshorse loaded down
like a pack donkey. Amazed neighbors,
who were not fully aware of the extent
Of Mi. Robbins hobby, have been Obliged
to ask for more details, when Mrs. Rob-
bins has laconically informed, them that
ait is Jim's ironing" Mr.. Robbins no
siery is of the long sort, and it is CUR
rently rumored that the stockings are
hitched up at the sides. His corsets he
has made especially for his girth. and
these he wears continually. His shape
is fairly good, especially when he dresses
up for afternoons.
In the morning he wears print gowns,
for he assists in the homework. Almost
every morning Mr.. Robbins in his print
gown is seen sweeping off the piazza
and whisking about the kitchen. He
wears petticoats at home almost ex-
clusively, putting on his garb as soon as
he enters the house. For afternoon
veal his gowns are elaborate. Some of
them are made by Mr.. Robbins, and
some are fashioned by local dressmak-
ers. One cashmere dress Is quite q
favorite, and this is frequently worn by
Mr.. Robbins when he promenades In
the orchard. He has lots of these good
clothes, all of fashionable cut, pulled
sleeves, and with all the filings that 20
to lend grace and dignity. Usually he
Years an apron and especially so when
at his bench. The apron is white ordi-
narily and has a bib with ruffled straps
and pockets. Therefore does Mr.. Rob-
bins present a somewhat unique appear
ance as he works away of afternoons or
sits and converses with his wife.