The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1896-09-18

| queen Of washer
women is an honor much sought after
by the soap-suds artists. This year
there were seventy-two candidates, of
whom the committee rejected forty
two on sight. In this connection 1t
might be stated that a pretty face is
not the only point necessary. The
must give substantial proof Of her
practical qualifications to represent her
honorable craft. The inidatory exam
ination Of the competitors for this ex-
allied position is very amusing. A jury
composed, as a rule, Of one or two ex-
perts in the mysteries Of washing, a
student, an artist and a newspaper
man generally constitute the judges.
This body decides on what amount OF
work each applicant must perform and
also passes on the merits of the work
| done. The jury gives judgment on
the excellence Of the results Of the
| trial.
For several weeks before the election
there Is a great hubbub in all the laun-
dries, each Of which possess some par
ticular star whom her fellow workers
deem worthy Of the crown. It must be
understood that an establishment that
can boast Of having In its employ the
charming queen of the wash tub re-
| ceives tremendous boom in its busi-
ness. Among the twenty-three avail
ohJa oon didotaS x.,bo xrara saIac4ad ont
Of the seventy-two applicants for this
years crown there was a strong rivalry.
All the girls were remarkably pretty
and each one was skilled exponent Of
her trade. The large hall in Rue de
Savon, where the elections were held,
was filled with friends of the aspirants.
and the scenes were as amusing as ex-
citing. After considerable elaboration
the choice Of the jury for queen OF
queens fell upon Mile. Henrietta De-
foulloy, from a famous establishment
known as Jouye-Rouve.
The young woman is more piquant
looking than pretty; her features have
sort of undefinable sauciness that is
very interesting. She is pronounced
brunette, tall, with splendidly model
ed figure. Possessing far more grace
fulness than Is found among real
queens, she is also the very picture of
animation and graciousness. The two
maids Of honor, who are second in i'm
portance only to the queen of queens,
and are called queens without any ad-
ditional adjective, were also chosen.
Mile. Marie Francois, from the Saint
Victor laundry, received the first place,
and Mile. Eugene Tallois, from the
Caufourniers establishment was de-
clared second. Each of these girls is
perfect type of Partisan womanhood
and both are immensely popular.
The king on these festive occasions
Is a man Of no particular Importance.
The Office is generally filled by some
fayorite of the queen, and his principal
duty consists in dancing attendance
on her majesty, and looking as well as
he knows how.
No expense is spared to make the
costumes of the queen Of queens and her
two satellites as magnificent as con-
sistent with the occasion.
The students of the Latin quarter, by
invitation extended to them by their
friends, the washerwomen, join forces
with them in the festivities. After the
election of the queen of queens ball
was given by the students at Buffers
famous resort. The girls from the
laundries were bright and coquettish
in their chic dresses and snow-white
petticoats. They were all fresh-look-
ing and vivacious and the ball was
unhampered by petty conventionalities.
To relieve the monotony-if there
ever could be any in such place-a
fancy dance was introduced for the
amusement Of the rest of the crowd.
The music becomes livelier and the
crowd grows more and more enthusi-
astic, until the frolicsome young woman
turns a backward handspring with the
A