Rock Island daily Argus., 1893-11-21
A NAN IN PETTICOATS
THE QUEER NOTION or AN olo SOL.
oseR CITIZEN OF MAINE.

TAaa Any WO0an In rOWn-vtsioas Of
t0ce. RuOss, Esc.-WesgAs 80 Psasds.
Sae Wsssu wouan's No. Q sAse.
Commander James Robbins Of tho local
post g. A. r., Cooper's Nil;a. Lincoln
county. in this state, is one of the prom.
inent men Of his community. . citizen
senerally esteemed - . man Of integrity
and intelligence. Mr.. Robbins has .
brilliant war record - . yaemberof the
Thirtieth Maine. He has lived in the
village since 1888 and is jeweler. His
house is . neat cottage house On the
brow Of the hill as one drives into the
Mills. In the narrow front hallway 10
Mr.. Robbins bench. lathe ard tools, ard
here yor will find him placidiy working
away at the tiny wheels and springs
II you are on sufficiently intimate
terms with Mr. Robbins you will End
him indaiging in his hobby. He has
one. ike the most Of cs. IN his case the
hobby is startl;agly picturesque. and It
may Ne safely said that Ee is the most orig
inal man in the state Of Maine. SO Tar as
his curious fancy is concerned. He wears
petticoats. Nos when he goes down
street for the mali ard to do his market
ing. At these times he slips on the mas
culine pantaloors Yet he does rot
wear his trousers. even. like ordinary
mascuhnity. No suspenders for him.
He wears a sort os dress waist. and his
trousers are buttoned tightly about his
hips. He always wears a woman's num-
ber six shoe. with high heels and grace
full. slender shape. Mr.. Robbins weighs
something like $50 pounds, and the effect
produced Ivy those shoes peeping coyly
ont from beneath manly trouser legs is
startling. 10 say the least Mr.. Robbins
doesn't mince or toddle, and his shoes
seem TO fit him pretty well.
He reserves his Petticoats for the sane
tify Of the home circle. for the partial
retirement Of his orchard and for calls
upon neighbors with whom his acquaint-
ance is 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
entifically too. In the first place. there's
no half way business about it. Every
Mr.. Robbins is rightly fussy about the
details.
There is NO woman in COoper's Mills
who owns 50 many dresses of such excel
lent material rs does the commander of
the Cool'er's Mills post. He takes pride
in having only the best His lingerie is
elaborately tucked and rufiled, edged
with lace and fashioned according to the
most approved models of any lady's
wardrobe. The material is Of the finest
quality, and when Mr. Robbins lifts his
skirts the eye gets a vision Of ruffles, lace
and ''all such like" Of dazzling whiteness
and immaculate smOothness.
He is very particular about his iron
ing. Everything must be starched up
to the handle" whatever that is. and
sometimes Mrs. Robbins finds her hands
full and her clotheshorse loaded down
like pack donkey. Amazed neighbcrs,
who We're not fully aware of the extent
Of Mr.. Robbins hobby, have been obliged
to ask for more details. when Mrs. Rob-
bins has laconically informed them that
lit is Jim's ironing" Mr.. Robbins ho-
siery Is of the long sort, and il is cur
rently rumored that the stockings are
hitched up AZ the sides. His corsets he
has made especially for his girth. and
these ne wears continually. His shape
is fairly good. especially when he dresses
mp 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
wear 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 a
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, puffed
sleeves, and with all the fixings that go
to lend grace and dignity. Usually he
wears 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.
Look at the gown and you see stylish
ly attired woman. hut the face is very
msnnish indeed. Mr.. Robbins would be
| marked in any crowd. His face is full.
and he wears a jet black mustache that
possibly owes its color to art. His hair
is long. black and curly. his voice is deep
and full. and there's nothing effeminate
about him except his attire.-Lewiston
Journal.