Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-04-14
WILL BE WED IN sOILED GOWN,
An Innovation That win startle Society
Introduced by the Bradley Martins.

4 S0C1cty
introduced by the Brsdiey-Martins.
The old adage that fashion il constantly
changing appears to be as true today a. it eve,
was. Like history, it i, constantly repeating
| itself, instead Of evolving newer things. Solo.
mons saying that there is nothing new under
the sun probably referred rather to the modes
Of his day than to other matters.
But an Enthusiastically new fad has been intro
duced in this day and year of grace among
New York's four hundred. 1t has, says the
New York Times, been reserved for the
Bradley Martins, who have just returned from
abroad for the purpose of marrying the only
daughter Of that fashi enable family to the Earl
OF Craven in tn at city, to introduce a new Gus
tom for weddings.
The fad in question is for the bride to wear
an old soiled gown for her wedding dress dur
ing the performance of the ceremony. This is
somewhat startling innovation, even for these
eccentric society people, but Mr.. Bradley
Martin has announced 1t to be the correct
thing, making the declaration in a certain sense
a national one, and Of course it must go with
society at large-the four hundred-though it
may not go with Uncle Sans custom house,
blue and gold
The Bradley-Martins arrived on the Teutonic
from England last week, bringing with them
the only daughter Of the house and 1873 trunks
and packages, comprising the family luggage.
So important an arrival with such a long list Of
luggage naturally led the custom house people
to expect no end of dutiable articles Of the
costliest character, particularly they were
aware Of the approaching happy event.
The occasion was deemed of sufficient i'm
portance by Surveyor of the Port Lyon to pro-
coed to the dock of the incoming steamer in
person, escorted by his chief assistant. Deputy
Surveyor Collins, and full corps of uniformed
inspectors. And when the gangway bridges
were thrown out these officers began dreaming
of the fine sights they would behold when the
BradleyMartin trunks should be opened for
the display of the wedding trousseau and the
consequent fat fees for the government.
In due course Mr.. Bradley-Martin made a
landing with his family. and, after seeing the
latter safely off the dock and into the family
carriages. he turned his attention to the Gus
toms officials. Surveyor Lyon had been called
elsewhere and the deputy surveyor received
Mr.. Bradley Martins declaration.
Mr.. Bradley-Martin informed Deputy Collins
that he had brought nothing dutiable from
Europe except an oil painting Of his son, worth
about $4,000. He then rendered the customs
duty on the picture.
As Deputy Collins expressed it: "You could
have knocked me down with feather duster"
Recovering to some extent Mr.. Collins
asked:
But where is your daughters wedding
trousseau?'
lnat, sald Mr.. Bradley-Martln, has been
left at our place up in Scotland My daughter
will return there to reside Immediately after her
marriage to the Earl of Craven. These trunks
here contain only our usual wearing apparel.
all OF which has been in active service, and
therefore is not dutiable."
"But where is the wedding dress-the we'd
ding gown?" gasped the deputy surveyor, we'll
nigh dazed at the prospect OF no dues worth
mentioning coming TO the government after all
the anticipation of the occasion.
'Oh. that is here, OF course" replied Mr..
Bradley Martin. ''in one of those trunks there,
but it is an old one and in use. My daughter
has worn it on several occasions at receptions
in Europe. and it is soiled, SO that no duty can
be charged on it,
Mr.. Bradley Martin was, of course, permit
ted to depart in peace on the strength of his
declaration. but later on the case was reported
to Surveyor Lyon, who detailed his chief in
spector to make an investigation into the rea-
tive cleanliness Of the wedding gown.
Experts may have to be called in to decide
whether the gown has been sufficiently soiled to
come in free Of duty, and all depends upon the
ideas OF such expert testimony as to what
soiled garment may be.
Meanwhile. pending the investigation, the
customs officials presume that the dress will
not be sent to the naphtha bath for renovation.