The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1893-11-22
A MAN IN PEITICOATS
THE QUEER NOTION OFAN OLD SOL
DER CITIZEN OF MAINE,


bat Wears woman's No. Shoe.
Commander James Robbins of the local
post G.. A B., Cooper's Mills, Lincoln
county, in this state, is one of the prom
inent men of his community, citizen
generally esteemed as man Of integrity
and intelligence. Mr. Robbins has a
brilliant war record as member of 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 is
Mr.. Robbins bench, lathe and tools, and
here you will find him placidly working
away at the tiny wheels and springs.
If you are on sufficiently intimate
terms with Mr.. Robbins you will find
him indulging in his hobby. He has
one, like the most of us. In his case the
hobby is startlingly picturesque, and it
may be safely said that he is the most orig
inal 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 market
ing. At these times he slips on the mas
culine pantaloons. Yet he does not
wear his trousers, even, like ordinary
masculinity. No suspenders for him.
He wears a sort of dress waist, and his
trousers are buttoned tightly about his
hips. He always wears a woman's num-
Der six shoe, with high heels and grace
full, slender shspA Mr. Robbins weighs
something like $50 pounds, and the effect
produced by those shoes peeping coyly
out from beneath manly trouser legs is
startling. TO say the least. MIR. Robbins
doesn'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
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
entifcally too. In the first place, there's
no half way business about 1T. Every
detail Of feminine attire Is there, and
Dir. Robbins is rightly fussy about the
details.
There is no woman In Cooper's Mills
who owns 80 many dresses Of such excel
lent material as does the commander Of
the Cooper's Mills post. He takes pride
in having only the best. His lingerie is
deliberately tucked and ruffied, edged
with lace and fashioned according to the
most approved models Of any lsdy's
wardrobe. The material is Of the finest
quality, and when Mr.. Robbins lifts his
skirts the eye gets vision of rufles, lace
and 'all such like" Of dazzling whiteness
and immaculate smoothness.
He is very particular about his iror
ing. Everything must be starohed cup
to the handle" whatever shat is, and
sometimes Mrs. Robbins Ands her hands
full and her clotheshorss loaded down
like pack donkey. Amazed neighbors
who were not fully aware Of che 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 no
siery is of the long sort, and it is cur
rently rumored that the stockings are
hitched up at the sides. His corsets he
has made especially for his girth, and
these he wears continually. His shape
is fairly good, especially when he dresses
up for afternoons.
In the morning he wears print gowns,
for he assists i'll 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-
cIusively, putting ON his garb IS soon as
he enters the house. For afternoon
wear his gowns are elaborate. Some CT
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
i Mr.. Robbins when he promenades in
u the orchard. He has lots Of these good
clothes, all of fashionable cut, put1ed
sleeves, and with all the ixings that go
to lend grace aud dignity. Usually he
wears an apron and especially SO when
at lis bench. The apron is white ord
narily and has bib with rufled 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 a stylish
q y attired woman, but the face Is very
mannish indeed. Mr.. Robbins would be
marked in any crowd. His face is full,
and he wears a jet black mustache that
possibly owes it's color to art. His hair
Is long. black and curly, his voice is deep
ana full, and there's nothing effemlnate
ABOUT him except his attire.
Journal.