The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-12-03
BAD FOR
A Woman with Novel Ideas About the
Clothing and the Feet.
San Francisco Examiner.

There is a little Dr0Wn-halred woman
with deep blue eyes over at Coronado who
has convictions. Being a woman, that is
not at all strange, but living up to them as
she does is a matter of surprise, especially
so since thereby she makes herself con-
spicuous and calls down upon her little
head the criticism not only Of women but
of men. This woman is Mrs. Mary Alling
Aber, who recently startled San Diego by
appearing on the streets attired in a Greek
costume and with bare feet.
In the parlor of a cozy little cottage on
Coronado beach, where she has taken up
her residence, a reporter listened to an ex-
PLANTATION of her hobby. When he was ad-
mitted to the house there was a'patter Of
unshod feet, as those of a child, on the
carpeted stairs, a fleeing glimpse of white
in the hall. and then a modest, demure lit
tie bit of femininity, not over four feet
and six or seven inches high, stood looking
up at him in smiling inquiry. Her costume
suggested a cry OF fire in the night. but
with a deft movement of her skirt she
concealed her little, well-formed toes that
were peeping from under the hem, and
folding her hands in her lap she told her
story.
IT am only experimenting she said.
Every man and woman has an idea Of
what an ideal life should be, but few, If
any, ever reach the ideal. Whenever 1
have conceived an idea of something that
would make life happier, higher and nobler,
both morally and physically, l nave en-
deavored to follow 1t to a conclusion lind
gained that ideal to my own satisfaction
than another comes. So in the present IN
stance OF my appearing in this costume.
every part Of our bodies is subject to
different ailments, and each part has sep
arate mechanical duties to perform, yet all
work together as a whole. When one part
10 otIinO W. call a nhWCiniQn He makes a
diagnosis and prescribes treatment, yet in
general we are entirely ignorant of the
origin or nature of our diseases, and l may
say here that / have little use for physi-
clans. But Why should one part OF the
body be more susceptible TO changes OF
temperature than another, or why should
some parts be more sensitive to pain than
others? This is the problem / am endeav-
oring to solve, and, If successful. goodbye
MY first impression was that the repres-
sion of any of the muscles of the body him
neF5r,i f,Inctions Therefore such repres-
sion was not only ignorant but irrevercnt.
Years ago L abandoned %corsets. and until
last April / wore the Union and Princess
suits. Then l adopted the Greek costume,
with slight notifications"
Here the little woman excused herself,
and tripping UP stairs returned with sam
pies OF her wardrobe. 1t consisted of but
two pieces, an outer and an under tunic.
The latter was made or cheese cloth, the
They nothing so much as two
bolster slips open at each end, with arm
holes at the upper. part. You slip into them,
pull q stirring string, which gathers the
Slips at the neck, and you are dressed. The
sleeves are square pieces of cloth folded
dia scanned part of the way down,
where they fit over the shoulders and are
buttoned down. The entire outfit. Mrs.
Aber said. cost but 81. y gridle or tasseled
cord confined the garment at the waist,
over which the upper part of the outer
tunic fell after the manner Of a blouse.
These two t%unics," said Mrs. Aber. ARE
II tho Garments / wear
The reporter looked his surprise and an
other question which he dared not ask.
ception,, Il wear no clothing but these two
TUNES. / have selected this cheap mater
ial for the simple reason that if l am sue,
cessful in my experiment the garments will
be within the reach of all, and the poor
est may enjoy the benefits,
the results have been remarkable and en-
tirely satisfactory, but / wanted TO go fur
Their. L desired to experiment with the feet.
Put a tight glove on a woInan's hand and
she is utterly helpless so far as doing any
thing with her fingers is concerned. If
gloves hamper the hands in that manner
what would be the effect on the feet If
freed from tight-ftting shoes. / turned this
question over in mind, and finally decided
to come to San Diego and make the expert
ment. 1 selected Coronado as being more
retired, and began my experiment immedi-
ately on my arrival six weeks ago. And
on, that first morning l tried it," she
laughed. 81 would almost rather have died
than to go on the street barefooted, but /
was determined, and went. For the first
few mornings it was very chilly / may
say quite uncomfortable, and i took a
slight cold. / paid no attention TO 1t what
ever. but continued to go out daily, and
il soon passed away. Now / have no diff
ficulty in keeping my feet warm by walk
ing, and / find they are not nearly SO sem
sitive. 1 find, also. that i have increased
energy and buoyancy, and also that the
natural tendency in walking is for the ball
OF the foot to touch the ground first. With
oil my muscles free and untrammeled, l
walk from eight TO ten miles with COM
paratively little fatigue.
81 do just what l choose. i free my mind
from all care and idle the time away at
perfect rest. ! think that every one should
have certain hours in the day when they
thing. 1 shall in all probability remain
here until all inconvenience from my pres
ent attire has passed away, and then grad
ually inure myself to a colder climate until
is not only a success in CALIFORNIA; sun
shine. but amid snow and ice. / also be-
lieVe that the head should be uncovered
but as yet l have not acquired sufncicnt
| courage TO put the idea into practice.
II have met with no offensive treatment,
or at least, very little. / have wished that
my husband were with me, but people will
become accustomed to my appearance"
Mrs. Aber is q native of Pennsylvania.
about thirty years of age, and her husband
Is professor of Greek and Latin in the Uni
ve~sity in salt Lake City she is a remark
ably intelligent woman, Greek and Latin
and several modern languages being at her
~ongue's end. She is a believer in incarna-
ton. She has written q book on Souls.
In some respects she is an enigma. She
has no hook to sell. her work being for
reform patent or COSTUME TO sell. She seems
TO be simply a nice little lady, with a head
! full of queer ideas and conceits which she
has determined to carry out TO a successful
~