Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-10-25
MR.. ROBBINS FINE PETrICOATs.
A Man Who Has More Costly Feminine
Wardrobe Than Any Woman i'm Town

Man Who Has More Costly Feminine
Wardrobe Than Any Woman i'm Town
From the Lewiston Evening Journal.
Commander james Robbins of the local
post, G. A. R., Cooper's Mills, Lincoln coun-
ty, in this state, is one of the prominent
men of his community a citizen generally
esteemed as a man Of integrity and intel
ligence. Mr.. Robbins has a brilliant war
record as a member of the thirtieth Maine.
He has lived in the village since 1883 and
Is a jeweler. His house is a neat cottage
house on the brow of the hill as one drives
into the Mills. In the narrow front hall
way is Mr. Robbins bench, lathe and tools,
and here you will find him placidly work.
ing away at the tiny wheels and springs.
Ii you are on suniciently intimate terms
with Mr.. Robbins you will find him induig-
ing in his hobby. He has one, like the most
of u.s. In his case the hobby is startlingiy
picturesque and it may be safely said that
he is the most original 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 marketing. At these times
he slips on his masculine pantaloons. Yet
he does not wear his trousers even, like
ordinary masculinity. No suspenders for
his trousers are buttoned tightly about
his hips. He always wears a woman's
number shoe. with high heels and grace
something like 1SO pounds. and the effect
produced by those shoes peeping coyly
out from beneath manly trouser legs is
startling. to say the least: Mr.: Robbins
doen't mince or 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 re-
tirement of his orchard and for calls upon
neighbors with whom his acquaintance is
close Mr. Robbins isn't squeamish 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 scientifically. too. In
/ the first place. there's no halfway business
about 1t. Every detail of feminine attire
| is there and Mr.. Robbins is rightly fussy
about the details.
There is no woman in Cooper's Mills who
| owns so many dresses Of such excellent
material as does the commander OF the
| Cooper's Mills post. He takes pride in
having only the best. His lingerie is elab-
orately tucked and ruffied edged with lace
and fashioned according to the most ap-
proved models of any lady's wardrobe. The
material is of the finest quality, and when
| Mr.. Robbins lifts his skirts the eye gets 9
vision of ruffles. lace and "all such like" OF
dazzling wilderness and immaculate smooth
ness.
| Everything must be starched "up to the
handle" whatever that Is. and sometimes
Mrs. Robbins finds he- hands full and hel
clothes horse loaded down IKE q pacl
donkey. Amazed neighbors. who were no
fully aware of the extent OF Mr.. Robbins
hobby have been obliged to ask for more de
tails when Mrs. Robbins has laconically in
formed them that ut Is Jim's ironing" Mr.
Robbins hosiery is Of the long sort. and 4
is currently rumored that the stockings ar
hitched up at the sides. His corsets he ha
made especially for his girth, and these h
| wears continually. His shape Is fairly good
especially when he dresses up for after
Moons. In the morning he wears prin
gowns for he assists in the housework
print gown is seen sweeping off the piazz;
and whisking about the kithen. He wear
petticoats at home almost exclusively. put
ting on his garb as soon as he enters tn
/ house For afternoon wear his gowns ar
elaborate. Some Of them are made by MI
Robbins and some are fashioned by loca
dressmake-s. One cashmere dress Is quit
favorite. and this is frequently worn b.
, Mr.. Robbins when he promenades in tn
orchard. He has lots of these good clothes
, all Of fashionable cut. pulled sleeves, an
with all the fxin's that go to lend grac
. and dignity. Usually he wears an apron
. and especially so when at his bench. tn
. apron is white. ordinarily. and has a bi
,, with ruffied straps and pockets. Therefor
|, does Mr.. Robbins present a somewha
unique appearance as he works away
afternoons or sits and converses with hi
wife.
Look at the gown and you see a stylishl
atti-ed woman. But the face is very mar
nish indeed. Mr.. Robbins would be marke
in any crowd. His face is full, and h
wears a jet black mustache that possibl
owes its color to art. His hair is lon,
A and there's nothing effeminate about hi
| his af