The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-12-11

at seventeen the use of corset. I have no
sort of idea what age young women begin
to make use of that personal article of ILL.,
supposed adornment, but I do know that
at seventeen Lillian knew it not. Her real
name is mentioned because none of you,
my beloved knows her, none ever likely to
know the radiant maiden of the far away.
Lillian impressed me as wondrously beau
tiful child, and she was the pride of my
personal friend, her father. She command
ed my attention one sunlit afternoon by
standing upon a moss-grown stone wall
and throwing mud balls at my straw hat
and my blue serge clothes. 1t was a very
daring thing to do for a little maiden of
the far away, and by some extraordinary
dexterity l caught her on the top of the
wall and pulled her, full of laughter and
life, into the highway with the over-arch-
ing elms. After that we were the best of
friends though my hat was spoiled and my
clothing had to be sent to the cleaner
Through many glad days the glorious child
and 1 were faithful friends. Rarer, more
radiant maiden never laughed in a softer
cline. Next summer she shall have her
first dance, and she expects me to journey
four thousand miles to have the first num-
Der with her. But We cannot tell. Lillian
has not yet felt the pressure of corset her
1.-the and lissorne figure has not yet been
hampered by the proclamation of fashions
instrument of wrong to fair young woman
hood 1.-The first dance shall be yours"
she writes under the critical eye of her
father, land you shall find me as you left
me, the little Lillian with the bright orri-
FANNIE to lead you on The bright orri-
famine" refers to a scarlet cap she used
to wear in cycling her brilliant hair, as
FURNISHED copper, floating out upon the
wind. That child alone would renew lost
faith in the world, If faith had been lost.
He would be the most daring of men who
would presume to invade woman's sphere
of fashion; but one who has loved woman
ever since in boyhood he would have laugh
ed to die for her. may say what most men
think of the corset. The ideal waist for the
average woman is said to be twentyone
inches. Jack, how far is it around the
world?" she asked him tenderly. Just
twenty-one inches, sweetheart" he answer
ed, as his arm stole around her, 'for you
are all the world to me-" That Is patethic.
perhaps, but true. A man measures the
world by the length of his wifes or his
sweethearts belt, if she wear belt, wheth-
er 1t be seventeen or seventy inches. The
The unusual or unnatural pressure of the
corset never yet impressed any man. Men
can sec the thing three squares away.
Come, now, fair wearer of the badge of
servitude-dont get cross. This is no cru
SADIE against corset manufacturers, sellers,
or VearerS IT matters NOT IN this man
slave of the graphite pencil only he loves
you and loves to see you beautiful, as God
made you. There some benighted
creatures called men who wear corsets. Per-
haps you know some of them. But they
shall not be discussed here. Only yourselves
are to be brought into this Sunday morn
ing talk before you go to church. and be-
fore he who loves all mankind shall awake
from his belated SAUNDERS. You may say
he is impertinent. You would be comical
if you did discuss him whilst you robe
for worship; but he is lover of yours
whether you like it. Perhaps you never
saw him, never shall see him; but it is his
right divine to love you as the divinest
creations of the Creator of us all. You may
lace upon yourselves the tightest harness
your superb figures will bear, but, believe
me, you will not by so doing add one scin-
tilla to your attractiveness. Better look fat
than to amble along with waspish waist
Don't be cross, my beloved. Listen to the
voice of reason from a reasoning lover of
all womankind-and mankind, too, in faith!
You may not know the charming little
widow; but there are strong men who are
| glad to recall the days when they went mad
about her-days when she was maid, crown
| ed with the rosy flush of girlhood. No mat
| ter when that was; no matter who the men
are; the little widow is Indifferent as to
| whether you know who she is But these
| be men who followed her faithfully and
| reverently in days when the world was
younger and rejoice to know her now. sof-
| tened by cares and the years, but still as
| bright and beautiful as a young girl at her
| first ball.
| She makes your senses to reel, that same
! widow. She did that when she was the
maid with the laughter that was the reali-
cation of angels voices. She knows how to
| use her eyes, the widow; and her soft voice
that sweetest of all things in woman She
always did know how to do these
| things, and that is how she has made slaves
| Of all true men who have come into her
presence. Her life Is beautiful, radiant.
| She is a noble woman, womanly.. 1.-The sun