The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1893-11-17
A MAN IN PETTICOATS
THE QUEER NOTION OF AN OLD SOL
DER CITIZEN OF MAINE.

He Has More Costly Fem mime Wardrobe
Than Any Woman In Town-visions of
Lace, Ruffies, Etc.-weishs 1SO Pounds,
but Wears a woman's No. Shoe.
Commander James Robbins of the local
post G. A. R., Cooper's Mills, Lincoln
county, in this state, is one of the prom
inent men Of his community, a citizen
generally esteuned as a man of integrity
and intelligence. Mr.. Robbins has a
brilliant war record as a member of the
Thirtieth Maine. He has lived in the
village since 1888 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 hallway is
Mr. Robbins benca, 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 fndulging 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 pant looms. Yet he does not
wear his trousers, even, like ordinary
masculin1ty. No suspenders for him.
He wears a sort of dress waist, and his
trousers are buttoned tightly about his
hips. He always wears woman's num-
ber six shoe, with high heels and grace
full, slender shape 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. Mr.. Robbins
doesn't mince or toddle, and his shoes
seem to fit him pretty well.
He reserves his petticoats for the sano-
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
entltically too. In the first place, there's
no half way business about it. 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 excel
lent material as does the commander Of
the Cooper's Mills post. He takes pride
In having only the best. His lingerie is
elaborately tucked and ruffled, edged
with lace and fashioned according to the
most approved models of any lady's
wardrobe. The material is of the finest
quality, and when Mr.. Robbins lifts his
skirts the eye gets vision of ruffies, lace
and sail such like" of dazzling whiteness
and immaculate smoothness.
He is very particular about his iron
ing. Everything must be starched ''up
to the handle" whatever that is, and
sometimes Mrs. Robbins finds her hands
full and her clotheshorse loaded down
like pack donkey. Amazed neighbors,
who were not fully aware of the extent
of Mr.. Robbins hobby, have been obliged
to ask for more details, when Mrs. Rob-
bins has laconically informed them that
sit is Jim's ironing" Mr.. Robbins ho-
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 in the housework. 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-
clusively, putting on his garb as soon as
he enters rhe house. For afternoon
wear his gowns are elaborate. Some Of
them are made by Mr.. Robbins, and
some are fashioned by local dressmak.
ers. One cashmere dress is quite
favorite, and this is frequently worn by
Mr.. Robbins when he promenades in
the orchard. He has lots of these good
clothes, all of fashionable cut, puffed
sleeves, and with all the fixings that &C
to lend grace and dignity. Usually he
wears an apron and especially so when
at his bench. The apron is white ordi-
narily and has bib with ruffied straps
and pockets. Therefore does Mr.. Rob-
bins present somewhat unique appear
ance as he works away of afternoons OF
sits and converses with his wife.
Look at the gown and you STE stylish.
ly 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 its color to art. His hair
is long. black and curly, his voice is deep
and full, and there's nothing effeminate
about him except his attire.-Lewiston
Journal.
Soapstone In China.