The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-09-11

DRESS.
lace too fine for her, and she needs them
then more than ever before We hear
much about growing old gracefully, and
1t occurs to mo just now that would
very much like to know what is meant
by that. Does it moan 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 tho
struggle and bow her head to tho incvi-
table Mt once without tho feeble protest
OF cllnging to her pretty garments awhile
longer? Must the woman who decides to
grow old gracefully put on caps and stop
frizZing her hair because she has passed
the milestone of half a century and tame
ly settle down into an old woman whose
very identity is almost effaced?
1t is Il 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 ut so is not
old enough to have it said that he is
old, and, however old man may be, he
still has certain degree of interest for
women if he has money, and no can
marry dozen times if ho wants to after
he is GO, but when the woman has
passed her forties she is rclegated to n
shelf very high up and in a 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 will mercifully forget all about
those who must do their graceful grow
ing i'll calico or homespun. Let us turn
to those to.whom growing old means
tho most, the votaries of fashion, and
tell thom how to find what solace they
can. For them there are satin brocadcs
Ill heavy qualities and rich colors,
splendid pcau dc sole that would grace
queen, and reps with thick cord, and
beautiful grosgrain silks. Besides these
arc moircs and velvets and all the furs
except erminc. III fact, it lust now
strikes me that the elderly lady can
have the pick and choice of ever,-
thing. There was one beloved old lady
who looked very handsome in a thick
black bengalino corded silk made with
q plain full skirt. The sleeves had loose
balloon puffs, and they and the waist
were trimmed with superb arrange
ment of black silk passcmcnteric. On
the waist and around it were moire rib
bons ending i'll double bow at tho
waist. On her head perched above tho
palpable front" was sort of cap, with
long, pointed ends i'll the back and
bunch of white lilies of the valley on
the top. The lace was black chantilly
and real.
Her daughter, herself q mother, wore
dove colored rep, with three narrow
ruff1es made of gauze, striped ribbons
around the bottom OH the outside and n
pinked rutflo Of dark green silk OH the
inside. The waist was made of figured
silk, white and dove color and drapcd
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 i'll public they
.cH