The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-01-13
THE ROANOKE TIMES. SATURDAY. JANUARY 49, r
A MAN IN PETTICOATS
THE QUEER NOTION OF AN OLD SOL
DER CITIZEN OF MAINE.

Lace, Rufiies, Etc.-wcighs $50 Pounds,
but Wears n 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, citizen
generally esteemed as man of integrity
and intelligence Mr.. Robbins has a
brilliant war record rs a member of the
Thirtieth Maine. He has lived in the
village since 1888 and is jeweler. His
house is a neat cottage house OH the
brow of the hill rs one drives into the
Mills. In the narrow front hallway is
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 INDUCING 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 us
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 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 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 we'll.
He reserves his pctticoats 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 III petticoats
He enjoys wearing them, he has worn
them when opportunity has presented
all his life long, and he wears them sci
entifically 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 i'll Cooper's Mills
who owns SO many dresses of such excel
lent material as does the commander of
the Coopers Mills post. He takes pride
i'll having only the best. His lingerie is
deliberately tucked and ruffied. 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 ruffles, lace
and ''all such like" of dazzling whiteness
and immaculate snoothness
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 We're 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 thai
lit is ,Jim's ironing" Mr.. Robbins no
siery is of the long sort, and it is cur
rcntly rumored that the stockings are
hitched up at the sizes 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.
Tor he assists i'll the homework. Almost
every morning Mr.. Robbins III his print
gown IS seen sweeping off the piazza
and whisking about the kitchen. He
wears pctticoats at home almost cy-
clusively, putting on his garb as soon as
he enters the house. For afternoon
wear his gowns are elaborate. Some of
them are made by Mr.. Robbins. and
some are fashioned by local drcssinak-
ers. One cashmere dress is quite q
favoric. and this is frequently worn bv
Mr. Robbins when he promenadcs in
the orchard. He has lots of these good
clothes, all of fashionable cut. puffcd
sleeves, and with all the filings that 90
to lend grace and dignity. Usually he
wears an apron and especially so when
at his bench. The apron is white or,li-
narily and has Il bib with ruffled straps
ana pockets. Therefore does Mr. Rob
BINS present somewhat unique appear
ancc as he works away of afternoons or
sits and converses with his wife.
| Look at the gown and You see a stylisll-
| ~ attired woman. but the face is very
mannlsli indeed. Mr. Robbins would be
marked i'll amy crowd. His face is full.
and he wears Il jet black mustache that
| possibly owes its color to art His hair
Is long. black and curly, his voice is decp
and full, and there's nothing effeminate
about him except his attire. Lewiston
Journal
Sonpstonc In China.
The Chinese in utilizing soapstone,
which is found in their country in large
| quantities. make of il travs fn,. ,no,s,