The evening world., 1894-05-17
VESTA TILLEY AND HER toes.
She Has Worn Male Attire for
Over Twenty Years.
Her "Dnd" Put Her In Boys Suits
at the Age of Five.

Ncsta Tillcy, who Is at Tony Pastors,
mas a tailor. a Lon Ion tailor. and there
isn't n woman on the stage who wears
male attire who wouldn't like to have
his address.
There never was such n well got-up
young swell as Miss RILEY. That every
body admits who has seen her. and every
actor ana actress OF the comedy stage
has seen her. First OF all, her clothes fit
as mems clothes never 1T a woman; see
ana. she wears them as no other woman
can. The secret IL twofuld. For twenty
years. come next Sunday, she has been
singing and wearing boys clothes.
She was five years OF age when her
father the proprietor OF n music hall in
Nottingham. had n wee dress suit made
Tor her, taught her my Pretty Jane
and 9TH Anchors Weighed" and
brought her out. She wore an immense
Poke, Sims Reeves. She shf'eeq mad hs n bIt,
ana the next season got an engagement
IN birmingham at e n week TO slng
gypsy ongs They dressed her in kits
p'opi" shcwered her with pennies and
tuppcnies. $500
Later she ana her Dad" with n vau-
w w went TO London. where
she made a. reputation as The Great
Little Tilley." She wore every variety of
boys clothes and sang all sorts OF comic
ana sentimental songs, People got to
whether the THE Great Little Tilley''
was a boy or not until they made n nut
sance OF themselves, and her name had
to be changed.
Lady Tllley" was suggested. but the
little. girl objected. She didn't want to be
Char1ed by. the girls On the company. Her
Dad got the dictionary to look for a
name. and the first thing that caught his
fancy was Vesta, sister Of Juno, and god.
dess of the vestal virgins.
Just the thirg, Dad, Vesta Tilley.'
she said. and Vesta Tilley she has beer
ever since.
II was a lucky name for them both, sc
Dad and travelled all over England
after, and Dad was father. mother, sis.
everything to me. I'VE WORKED an[
played together, and we put our savings
In n bulldog bank and Invested them II
music hall stock companies. Dad dice
six years ago. Dear old u He taught
me all ! ever knew.
My tailor oh, I can't tell his name
He has dressed me these twenty years
past. When ! want a new suit | senC
him the old suit and show him whal
changes I want, They always fit, and
never go near the shop"
Miss Tilley has her brougham at home
and she goes to the Park to study the
styles. For the fashions in ties, shirts
shoes and those kind Of things, she takes
"A walk in Vanity Fair. She can tell q
new wrinkle at IA glance.
Fifth avenue Sunday morning" she
says. Isn't n half bad place to study thu
styles. Some OF the men are as correct
as any leader In London"
Speaking of effects in mems attire
she, finds 1t considerably harder to ge
variety than women's dress.
''Atpn'G clothes re mnnntnnNna Econ
ing dress Is black and white, two hare
and very trying colors; military AM
business outfits are better. l hav'
learned that for n fine appearance MAJ
Is absolutely dependent upon his tailo
style hat comes from cut and ft, an,
there must be good groomlng-to Sc
them off. A woman can make II toile
In n pot OF paste: the femininity Is all Il
man. He must be clean. wholesomel.
clean to shine. There Is no linen, n
cloth and nothing in the line OF haher
dashery goods to hide the lack Of
Miss Tiley's clothes are beautiful
isn't the suggestion OF n vulgarism II
n Of her work. She plays the boy I
the life. Her figure IA slight. she has
small head, pretty legs, the slim hips o
n ten-year-old. and her makeup Is won
dcrful. 1t takes her th~ree;quarters o
put on that to all appearances sh
| doesn't make up mt all.
=, Instead Of a lily brow, pink ear
> scarlet. cheeks and cherry lips, she ha
, the rich brown of a brunette.
r one Of her songs Is THE Major" Sh
, has n bit Of business with a monocl
that is worth going q long distance t
see. NELL NELSON.