The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-10-07
RAINY DAY CLUB MEETS.
TT rs 70 NAVE .dN ORGiS TO
SHORT SKIRTS.
similar Clubs ali over the Country Proposed
Pratt Institute to Design - Rainy DAN Dress
Mrs. RecL ith speaks or Wotnan'- Gradual
Characterization from InconNcnient Costumes.

Yesterday afternoon. Mrs Emma BcCkwith
was in the chair, and the Rainy Daisies wcrc
out In force. and a good many of en- in short
skirts.
After the minutes OF tn, last meeting. which
was held in May, had been read. Mr.. Herbert
knowles, the Treasurer. made her report. SAo
gave a strict account OF all funds taken il and
paid out, and then added disConsolUtcly:
ave have only $3.50 left, and when we ray
70. the use OF these rooms to-day wcN only
have 30 cents left. We are poor
Mrs. BcrthS wcloy. the founder OF the club
and its Corresponding Secretary, is on the road
with a theatrical company, but she sent in a
satisfactory report, telling OF the great number
OF letters Of inquiry about the club which she
had received from all over the country during
the summer
Let me add said a white-haired woman
with a young face. that l have been all
through New York State this summer and have
been asked more questions about the Rainy
Day Club than any other club in this city"
Our light shines" said Mrs. Beckwith com.
placently.
In the absence of the Chairman Of the Ex.
ecutive Committee, Mrs. Gertrude Andrews.
Mrs. Lucia C. Balcom read the report of the
committee.
W felt our way last year" said Mrs. Bal
com, and we now stand on II firm foundation.
Our outlook is promising. We have made =
contract for u department in the Health Culture,
a magazine issued quarterly, and hope by this
means not only TO extend our influence and
cause other clubs TO be organized throughout
he Union. but to put Our treasury in better
shape. Pratt Institute is SO interested in the
object Of our club that soIao teachers and stu
dents there have made a design Tor II rainy day
dress FOR US. This will DO published in the
Health Culture, and we hope &c get a reliable
concern to convert The design into Il pattern.
The committee has also decided to take up a
regular course OF discussions this winter, the
subject at tho November meeting beirS Ven
~eilation.'
wore many objections to holding our meetings
at private houses. 1t would be better 20 settle
Se ssmS f iocated. i puf this ' Rossi sse 2fa'S TO s sais
ever one. we decided on It"
r., W can see e srpm our reports What w9p yer
Beckwith. II think they are Interesting
enough to discuss further in detail"
Goldthwaite OF the professional! wou,an's
Way, yes" answered the presiding officer
i SNOW the last report has not" said Miss
oh. / DOM know anythins about. parlia-
ySS,ly On ! lho sidn rsp5 5htnk M L H' fa Hs4fbsiIIlFg v5 TO
belong TO = lot OF clubs. Please enlighten me
DCCu usACtp al VA
Mrs; Ravenhill, 'and know less nov than when
we last met"
In the league for nothing, and each report had
% be gone over and approved This little rip
pie set the ball in motion.
Who made the arrangements 10 meet here
III the timer asked somebody.
Mrs. Welby." answered somebody else.
There are cheaper places remarked an
"oh. no arrangements have been agreed
kpon except for this meeting: I anu sure" SAID
an elderly matrOn IN a GOnGtllrOry tone.
1T seems to me-" came a voice from the back
CT the room, strange. that this club doesn't
know its own business"
pardon me" hastily said Mrs. Knowles.
s~s be- 90 . aneG our 70 oT Know Sp7 WSas a ea. aSm sSa
Mrs.. Welby has made when she Is not here to
Mrs. Beckwith suggested that the matter DO
dropped. and appointed a committee consist
ing OF Mrs. Knowles and Miss Pippey 20 select
Miss Leavtns OF Chicago gaze a short talk.
She was an active member Of the disbanded
Correct Dress in that, city, and told OF Us work.
She said that her club had never specially en-
esasizH i'd a a sai and d lat c9 she hepe opt 4 H raia@ Hd sag
club could be organized there very soon.
You ought to get uD one there remarked
% much stormy weather in Chicago"
7 have been asked 20 say a few words to the
nature ambitious, and is seeking always for
something whereby she can better herself. The
cause Of a lack q strensSh IN the strong Paas'S oa az,
and partly on account OF this ambitious IN,
1T was but natural that she should srow dis
satisfied with her clothing and wish to change
for something less combining. As her lie
broadened from the four walls and The three
D's-drcsscs, diseases, domnstics-shc behcld
the urgent necessity of a better use for her
clothing.
IT is only by comparison with the past that
brought us, and il any one wants a suro cure for
low spirits let her study a book Of fashions Of
the days gone by. In the memory Of almost
experience can be found TO Ill books. I shall
never forget the first rattan wore, 10 make my
appearance equal to that OF other girls. Tho
rattan was cut. the proper length to run in a
tuck that was in my skirt, just above IL three
inch hem. remember distinctly the pride
with which I mannu red it along the street 10
school. This was but The beginning. From
that time on the hoop skirt had full swing.
gradually growing In size until the tilters
brought US all 20 shame and grief and compelled
the humps grew to such ungainly heights and
widths that they, too. ouLgrew our common
sense and were in turn laid aside. Recall the
is not 30 far distant a. 70 be entirely forgotten
From the humps on the back came another
inches II not held up. | remember That | con,
sitered that style elegant; the grace with which
men thi5'el but V%s" coni a carF5 T iift.o qt eIse. c Snd
the custom OF sending home small packages
arose, and dTy goods dealers have conp!ainet
tthe tai!or,made gowns took tho place Of the pull,
backS and served our needs so completely that
we have them still with US in various forms,
We are becoming much more sensible in adorn
ing ourselves, Naturally. when we were
taught that a healthy appetite was vulgar and
TO be Ill a sure sign OF refinement. our clothing
corresponded But now, through the I'D yanced
thoughts.and In consequence Of the teaching OF
All sorts OF athletic advocates. the opposite
stage Of womanhood Ia deemed the proper
thing. We can afford to laugh IA We look
BACK upon ourselves a. we were even ten years
ago. The world do move and we women
II have always had a theory that all cues
lions, OF any moment, whether in the political
social or even business world. would eventual
be settled by women. OF course, we have no,
been prepared for the burden heretofore, bu,
VINO can deny that We are now rapidlr advanc
.ng In that directioni The world needs mother
ing. and, in consequence OF the lack OF il W,
constantly hear OF wars and rumors az wa,
from every direction. The man animal ac
cordinR, TO history, has from the very beeinninl
been addicted 10 fighting rather than eatinS
OF course IL was TO protect and please he fe
male animal that he gained that rcp,tatinn
and we allowed him TO continue: but, in tn,
course OF evolution. we are gradually gainint
our true relation to matters and things /,
general, and freedom OF action a. regards cloth
ing must needs come up In It's turn.
A the clubs, for this and that object, hay,
served their purpose to make US rightly under
stand ourselves ali our relation TO the wOrI,
OF larRe, We never could have lrriyad AZ III