The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-11-29
WHERE ems WEAR trousers.
Costumes OF the Young Women Herdsi IN
the Alptne Oberlnnd.

II trousers signify higher feminine civiliza-
tion. then the most progressive women OF the
century are the female muleteers and goat
heriers of switzerland. The conventional
cnsc with which these Woodworking girls OF
the higher Alps wear their breeches would fill
DIR. Mary Walker with envy, and take the
tiu.id dress rcformer's breath awav. for plain.
ugly. homespun pantaloons arc their daily
and only costume for the greater part of the
year. These masculine garments, however,
are not assumed as a badge of independence by
the Alpine damscls, or In recognition of equal
rights with men. and o b)dy would be more
astonished than one of these Ia rdsmaidens
should she DO hailed as n new woman.
AS a matter OF fact, she passes her life too
high above the valleys to know anything at all
OF modern progress, feminine or otherwise.
and her pantnloons are worn for storm conven-
fence only. and In obedience TO the risors of the
rough, hard life she leads. They are hand
woven, ha~nd-sewed. cut out on n naYvely ugly
pattern. and are about the only uniform suita-
be for the special work and climate known on
the higher Alps.
Moreover. brooches came into fashion in the
Overland long before boomers arrived or the
bicycle trouserette appeared TO excite public
comment. Somebody MAS obliged to look after
the goats and grass on the mountains. and
there were not enough men TO do II. when fac
tory work and emigration began TO make in
roads on the rural districts of Switzerland. SO
the hardy swiss women took the matter act
lively in hand. There was no 1inching, either.
from any OF tie duties involved. and the be-
trousered girls, who run about the ALPINE up
lands are wonderful WORKERS.. They wear In
addition to the hideous breeches, hob-nailed
shoes. beside which u cowhide brognn or u
wooden snbot is n dainty slipper: their heads
are rarely covered. and a sort of plain. serni-
masculine linen shirt. with a close wool purkin.
in the spring till late in autumn these buxom
Switzers live unon the mountains a life that
any Mississippi steamboat roustabout would
stalks. and chunks of tough cured meat are their
diet. and though herdinH cows and goats, not
"a drop Of milk or spreading OF butter ever
graces their rough meals.
Every day is passed watching the cattle on
the mountain pasture and reaping the tough
driven back 10 the summer pens. about a little
hut, and the reaped grass packed homo on the
gone to Jed Jed, a VI nun b ey OF gu, Women sneryI living h "a.
gether in one hut. and ut . o'clock in the
morning, breakfast is eaten. the milking be-
gins. and Oh TO the nasture girls and herds
tramp again. Besides cutting and storing the
winter supply OF cattle food. these wonen
needed during the month OF snow, and sleep.
clad all in their working costume. on sacks
OF dried hay or leaves, laid over the lard floor.
picture such heroically tordid labori carried
out in all the. useless inconvenience OF fo wing
springs eternal in the feminine breast. and II
ANYTHING would prove the truitlessness OF try
ing To persuade women to adopt bifurcated
garments. the example of these Alpine herders
should. Whea the summer season is over.
The cattle ready to descend TO the valley. and
the mountain actually scraped clean OF every
thing edible. either by man or beast. these Wig
orous young women get promptly into the
common g"rb of their sex: This is the very
FIRST thing they do on getting home to the
valley. or even before the descent begins. espe-
cially IL. by iodelinG across the highlands.
desire TO drive his foe IS ho-e in the compny
OF a particularly good looking h~erdsmaiden.