The record-union., 1896-08-02

drivers countenance is generally as un-
| readable as the face of an Egyptian
sphynX. But to his credit be it recorded
there is one driver in this town whom l
have noticed shutting off the Sprinkling
| apparatus on approaching a crossing,
making it possible for one to walk over
dry shod. Much is to be determined in
regard to a persons disposition and
character by his or her manner on a
public thOroughfare. / have seen many
4 woman going over a crossing switch
ing her dress carelessly through the dust
or mud in the most slatternly fashion,
and 1 never fail to form an opinion of
such a person accordingly. Fortunate
ly the present style for street costume
does not demand a long skirt, it is en-
tirely at the option of the wearer. The
trail skirt never won any great amount
OF favor with the majority of women,
and it is incalculable the amount of dis
ease germs which are gathered UP in the
binding of a skirt and carried home to
be disseminated in the bosom of the
family. There never was a more un-
clean, more untidy caprice of fashion
than the demi-trained dress skirt for
the street, and every sensible woman
out. Graceful and pretty for the house,
they were inappropriate, inconvenient
and disgusting for the street. When
Lady Meath on her tour of the States
in company with the Earl, her husband,
stopping, for a day or two in Sacra-
mento, i'm a personal and most delight
full call received from these lovely peo-
pie, l was constrained to notice how
very sensibly and unpretentiously her
ladyship was costumed. Entirely in
modest and unassuming black, a neat,
close-ftting bonnet, stout walking
boots, and skirt that cleared the
ground quite three inches all around.
Yet her ladyship is very wealthy in her
own right, and could if she considered
it the part of good taste, be elegantly
gowned on the street as well as at home.
There are many points in the dress of
the English gentlewoman that would be
of ines timable use to her American
cousin. Though quite as fond Of adorn-
ment, she believes that there are
Times and seasons for all things and
though appearing at dinner and recep-
ton in full dress, elegantly fashioned,
and wearing costly jewels. anything ap
preaching display upon the street would
be esteemed eminently vulgar. Such a
woman pursues the even tenor of her
way, unhindered by fashionable tan
gle of skirts at her heels, and with an
approach to the freedom and ease of her
masculine brother, crosses the street
without having to bother about her
skirts
1t is ofttimes laughable to note the
different manner in which women dis
pose of the annoying length of garment
on a street crossing, especially here in
Sacramento, where dust in summer and
mud in winter necessitates constant
and active vigilance on this question.
Some of my own observations are
about as follows: a woman whose
home culinary department is clearly
indicated by her noble proportions and
the solidity of her mortal being, will
almost invariably grasp the trouble
some garment on either side. pulling it
tightly about her portly figure, ofttimes
with most disastrous and entirely un-
foreseen results The summer girl, in
dainty hose and French heeled boots.
lifts her white muslin skirt gracefully
to one side, giving the merest sugges-
ton of well-rounded ankle and lace
trimmed petticoat. Then there is the
bold. two-thirds masculine type. of
which latter species we Sacramentans
have a specimen, which it is only neces-
sary to describe to easily recognize. 1
have heard youngsters on the street
remark when the specimen" was seen
approaching: This style two for a
quarter" Guess what it is and you
can have it," etc There is always the
Intellectual appearing pince nez (Which
IN this case is a base deceiver) astride
a high and rather oriental clfactory
member, white shirt front, adorned by
an undeniabIy masculine cravat well
trained waist held forcibly in order by
q wide and inflexible leather girdle.
The French heel of the most extreme
type is ever present, and when the per-
sCnage In question is confronted by a
muddy crossing, it is with true Amer
lean independence U am not express
ing my views as 70 the exhibition of
other characteristics that she grasps
her skirt in one hand, switches ii
tightly about her lean and rather ath-
letic figure pursuing her way in the
calm consciousness that a score of eyes
are interestedly following her move
ments, while in her mind there turks
no disquieting doubt that all criticisms
are highly favorable to her particular
style of beauty-heaven save the mark
Then there is the fashionable dame in
a nine-gored skirt, who is able to buy
one equally voluminous tomorrow, IL
she so elect, and is not averse TO the
opportunity for displaying her disre-
gard of the cost of things, dragging it
across the street where dump carts,
track oilers, coal wagons, etc, have just
passed, unmindful Of the ofttimes be-
draggled appearance she presents on
reaching the other side. | am often
reminded of a remark made by young
lady friend who, just from New York,
was displaying her finery for my ben
eft. Holding at arms length a lovely
modish skirt with quite train, she
remarked: THAT skirt has swept Fifth
avenue many a time" But that was
in New York, and the case was not
quite so bad, for Fifth avenue is kept
almost as clean as a lady's drawing
room, decided and most unwilolesome
contrast to the unclean and freckled
looking pavements the women of our
town are forced to sweep their long
petticoats over many times a week