The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-09-10


DRESS.
lace too fine for her, and she needs them
then more than ever before. We hear
much about growing old gracefully, and
it occurs to me just now that would
very much like to know what is meant
by that. Does it mean that one who
feels the golden sands Of youth slipping
away should struggle and try to cheat
time by youthful dress and manners, or
does it mean that the poor soul who sees
nearly all that makes her life worth
living slipping away should give up the
struggle and bow her head to the inevi-
table at once without the feeble protest
of clinging to her pretty garments awhile
longer? Must the woman who decides to
grow odd gracefully put on caps and stop
frizzing her hair because she has passed
the milestone of half a century and tame
" settle down into an old woman whose
very identity is almost effaced?
1t is a hard thing for woman to
cross the boundary between middle and
old age, and it comes with a sudden
shock when she finds that her claims to
public consideration now are based sim
ply upon her years. A man at so is not
old enough to have it said that he is
old, and, however old q man may be, he
still has a certain degree OF interest for
women if he has money, and he can
marry dozen times if he wants to after
he is so, but when the woman has
passed her forties she is relegated to
shelf very high up and in rarely fire.
quented spot and told to grow old grace
fully-God help her-and let Us all give
her the richest and most costly fruits of
the loom that she may do it.
We viii mercifully forget all about
those who must do their graceful grow
ing in calico or hOnespun. Let us turn
to those to whom growing old means
the most, the votaries Of fashion, and
tell them how to find what solace they
can. For them there are satin brocades
in heavy qualities and rich colors,
splendid peau de sole that would grace
a queen, and reps with thick cord, and
beautiful grosgrain silks. Besides these
are moires and velvets and all the furs
except ermine. In fact, it just now
strikes me that the elderly lady can
have the pick and choice of every
thing There was one beloved old lady
who looked very handsome in thick
black bengaline corded silk made with
plain full skirt The sleeves had loose
balloon puffs, and they and the waist
were trimmed with a superb arrange
ment of black silk passementerie- On
the waist and around it were MORE rib
bons ending In q double bow at the
waist. On her head perched above the
palpable front was q sort of cap, with
long. pointed ends IN the back and a
bunch Of white lilies Of the valley on
the top The lace was black chantilly
and real
Her daughter, herself a mother, wore
a dove colored rep, with three narrow
ruf1as made Of gauze, striped ribbons
around the bottom ON the outside and a
pinlzed ruf1e of dark green silk ON the
inside Tho waist was made of figured
silk, white and dove color, and draped
with the rep. The sleeves reached but
to the elbows
Dove and quaker drab are both fav-
orite colors for plain goods and also for
those with small woven or stamped
figures
The apron as an ordinary article Of
wear is returning, and almost every lady
will wear one at teas and almost all
home occasions. though in public they