The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-07-31
RED BLOOMERs WORN IN CHURCU.
Miss Ada Coleman shocks the Commune
~ and Breaks Up Prayer Meeting.

MASON. O.. July 39.--The good people
Of the Methodist church here received
a shock last night and IL is very doubtful
II they VIII ever recover from II. Miss
Ada Coleman. one OF the bellies Of Warren
county, the daughter OF one OF the
wealthiest farmers in this section, and
the or8anist Of The church, marched
down the centre aisle Of the church at
half-past o'clock this evening, attired in
led bl0cmers OF tie most fashionable cut.
The congregation assembled for prayer
meeting. Miss Coleman walked TO the
organ thoroughly uncOncerned, ana COM
menced 70 play, as usual. She played IN
I'll the end, but the meeting was cut
very short. The members OF the church
fed TO their homes, Mortified beyond &C.
scription.
Fer several weeks aa epidemic OF bloom
ers and baseball has eIgulfed this Or1i-
nariiy quiet little town. A few days ago
Miss Coleman, who is a leader and gen
eral fayorite among the society bellies
OF the town, appeared Oh wheel IN the
n ain streets She wore iloomers OF the
most pronounced type-reQ in color and
trimmed s0rgeOusly.
They were the first pair cf boomers
the residents had ever seen, and the
whole town turned out to see Mss Cole
man ride. The fever spread, and S2tuf-
day at least ten young women appeared
In company. attired ia different cOiored
bioomers. They rode TO The kite-snapea
iidihf lhDh HtNfiti HflillSs oIA lN'I 0NitN
10 the baseball game
Rev. John Wordsworth, the pastor Of the
MctLCdist church. was at the game ana
saw tho young women, VINO ore al meih-
ters Of his congregation. lie thought
they were very sensible, and applauded
rather than chided them. lie Is 4 great
baseball enthusiast.
Saturday night a committee selected by
the congregation called at his house and
requested that he denOunce the act on OF
listened TO them and said nothing sun
days services came. and Rev. Mr.. Words
worth never referred TO boomers. The
members of the congregation waited
anXiously for the grand announcement,
but 1t came not. and boomers triumphed.
There was no end Of gossip last night
and to-day over the pastors stand ana
tonight everybody turned out 10 prayer
meeting, expecting that something would
happen, and IL d!d.
when half-past o'clock arrived the
church was crowded, and the minister
was waiting to begin services. but tho
organist. Miss Coleman, had NOT arrived.
In a few minutes Miss Coleman rode 10
the church on her wheel. wearing those
red boomers. AS she strobe down the
centre aisle of the church murmurs or
"Ch, my how shocking" and Mercy
on u.s." came from every quarter.
There was no praNer-meetiue Tor the
congregation They could not take their
eyes off Miss Colemans red boomers.
While the old people shook their heads
and sighed. the young ones giggied. The
singing was very mild and every other
part of the customary service was neg
lccted.
Soon many Of the old people commenced
to leave the church, and others soon fol-
lowed The meeting was ended abruptly
and a sort of gloom settled down over
the members with the exception of Miss
Coleman Her work finished. she mount
ed her wheel and rode of as If nothing
had happened.
The girls are with Miss Coleman, and
they saw it's "BlOOmers even If they have
to leave the church" Rev Wordsworth
viii undoubtedly uphold the young Wo-
men in their action.