The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-20

table until one of the matrons mentioned a
word which Immediately attracted the at
tention OF every BODY.
This old lady had been talking to one Of
the young girls about fashions, and as a
matter Of course she referred during the
conversation 10 the threatene ed invasion of
crinOline.
"Oh, listen. they are talking about that
horrid crinoline," all the other ladies said
to each other, and suddenly all the chatter
ceased.
The old lady, who had inadvertently said
"eTinOline," found herself suddenly the
cynosure Of nineteen pair Of inquiring eyes.
and with a charming smile she wanted to
know what il all meant.
"Why, we heard you talking about crino-
lines and hoopskirts." pert little brunette
said TO her from across the table. 'and we
want TO know whether you approve OF
these ungainly innovations or whether you
condemn Them.
IL certainly disapprove of the introduce
ton of a fashion so utterly ridiculous,
superannuated and ugly as the moline"
the matron promptly replied
"Me, too"
$50 do /.
"She is right"
"I'll never wear one"
"They arc simply horrid."
I'VE won't have them"
Many such expressions followed from all
around that table, which showed that the
anti-crn0line sentiment prevailed very
strongly in that fashionable assembage
Seeing her opp rtnnity for hit dark
eyed beauty from Van Ness avenue, who
among her friends has quite reputation al
wag, asked for permission 10 tell a little
story on the subject Of cTinolines.
Everybody said certainly" and Ego
ahead" so the pretty humOrist, with mock
solemnity, spoiled only bya merry twinkle
in her lustrOus eyes, told the following har-
rowing tale:
tales, there lived IN big city on the shores
of the Pacific Ocean, lady who was
famous for her great beauty aud charm IF
manner.
Like all ladies SO favored this charmer
had great number Of admirers, but with
great tact she managed to be kind and
pleasant to all of them. without showing
any preference to any particular individual.
Being very wealthy this famous beauty
was also noted for her extensive charity.
and, therefore, she was beloved by the poor
as we'll as by the more well-to-do classes.
'Never In the history Of that big city. or
In that OF any other, had there been any
body whose popularity equaled that of
beautiful Lady Bountiful.' as the people
loved to call her.
"Her lie was cast In pleasant lines, and
being OF sunny temper she took ali the
enjoyment possible out of IL.
But, alas, great misfortune came over
this much adored lady. and in the history
of that city a terrible catasirophe Ia re-
corded, in which she figures most proml-
nently. because 1t caused her death under
circumstances both tragic aud extraordi-
nary.
ut so happened that the foolish people
who dictated the fashions for the ladies in
those days decreed during a period i'm
nh fql
ordinarily. that all women who desired to
be regarded as being in the swim. socially
speaking, must wear skirts stretched over
hoops. so as To make them not only look un
graceful, but subject them also 10 much dis
comfort.
"1he beautiful maiden of the Pacific
Coast metropolis followed the dictates of
these crazy fasbion-makers. and it was this
blind obedience to social rules which
brought her an untimely and mueh-be
mourned death.
"One windy afternoon Lady Bountlfnl
was walking along the principal street of
the city, when, In trying 10 round a corner
which. owing to its windy way, was known
as Cape Horn, she was caught between
two opposing currents and on account of
her balloon-liKe skirt was unable to resist
their combined forces.
ITO her horror and to that of the other
people in the vicinity the lady found her.
rapid rate toward the ocean.
Hundreds OF pr0menaders saw the nm
usual sight OF lady sailing through SPACE.
but they were all so dumtounded with
wonder that no one had presence of mind
enough 10 attempt rescue"
The stoTy-teller here paused. and. taxing
another sip Of tea. leaned comfortabl y hack
In her chair just as II her tale was com
plete. but the others were evidently mot
satisfied without more satisfactory cIimax.
How did your heroine return TO mother
earth and what was her opinion Of hoon-
skirts after this startling adventure ?v was
asked.
II wanted to spare your nerves. trapi-
cally answered the raconteuse. '.but II Won
insist on hearing the end. prepare yourself
for shock, for my Lady Bountifnl never
came back to her loving people at all.
She was carried hundreds of miles ont
over the Pacific Ocean and finally descended
on an island inhabited by canpibaIs. who
made her captive. Owing to the delcacy
OF her complexion they honored beautiful
Lady Bountful by making her the piece de-
resistance OF che cannibal chiefs Thanks
giving diuner.
"Many years later some nayigators found