The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1898-08-04
QUAKER GARB GOING.
"FRIENDS"GRAD
ING DRESS OF THE WORLDS &

Ono Members Opinion Of It-Domuro
Gray-tiowned worshipers Of Oldsn
Times Have Given Place to Women
Arraysd Fashionable Clothes.
Whoever has read Hugh Wynnes
must surely remember how scandalized
were many OF the friends OF the last
century when Mistress Marie Wynne,
the mother Of Hugh, broke through
the narrow lines which in those days
were drawn about quaker women's
dress, and following her French bent,
put upon her cap a bright colored RIB
bon and bedecked herself in coiors
more suited to her own-light-hearted
nature than was the sober quaker gray.
But that was many years ago. when
the quakers were stricter than now,
says the New York Tribune. At least,
SO 1t seemed to the onlookers who were
present during the yearly meeting held
by the friends lately at their meeting
house in Rutherford square.
The sober meeting room where thu
q
members assembled was not decorated
with the national colors, as lust now
is the fashion at other gatherings, but
sweet-faced woman said that this
was from no lack Of patriotism. but
rather because of the quakers' Unborn
dislike for the employment of decora-
ton OF any sort. Be that as it may,
1t IS certain that the latter-day friends
nave given up the distinctive dress
which their ancestors wore for gen.
erations and have blossomed forth as
gayly as any descendant of the men
and women whom John Wynne dis
trusted long ago.
A reporter pushed open the door
leading into the meeting room and in
stead OF beholding the sober, decorous
garb, there seemed to be fields Of
freshly blooming flowers, roses, lilacs
and carnations, with all the wild flow
ers known and loved-buttercups,
daisies, dandelions and the beautiful
trailing arbutus.
The absence of the quaker dress was
commented upon and a woman pres
ent said: well, yes, it seems to be
going out of use more and more every
year. Of course, some of the older
friends will continue to wear it as long
as they live, because of their old as
sociations with it, but the younger
members, with few exceptions, do not
adopt it; especially is this true Of the
larger cities. don't see how they ever
called it becoming. I think it is the
reverse. For myself, I have never
worn it at all. You see, when my
father and mother came east before
the war mother was wearing the quak-
er gown and bonnet and she continued
to do so for a year or two afterward.
Then, somehow or other, she became
dissatisfied with it and adopted the
more fashionable dress worn at that
period by New York women So we
children were not accustomed to see
ing the dress worn at home and conse-
quently we did not adopt it for our
own wear. My mother never put on
the dress again. She kept the old gown
in which she had travelled to New York
because, she said, it was a reminder
to her of the many happy days which
she had spent with the friends out ia
Indiana"
But there are some women here
who wear the quaker dress,' said the
reporter.
"Oh, yes, some few; but you won't
see more than ten women today who
wear the gray gown and close bonnet
nd h
wore before them. Now, just look
over there" and she pointed out a
handsome, gray-haired woman, whose
rich bonnet and gown would, in an
other Assem- blage, have given no hint
of her religious belief
'She is a prominent friend, and yet
look how far away she has drifted from
the old CUSTOM
Just then the reporters attention was
directed to pretty little quaker sit
ting beside her mother. It was evident
that the vanities of this world had
tempted her beyond resistance, for her
little white frock showed hints of pink
through its meshes and here and there,
holding it's folds in place, was satin
ribbon cleaning brightly, while her
golden curls were caught back from
her forehead by rose-pink bows OF
satin. She made such dainty, pretty
picture that one could not help won
dering if, in olden times, the quaker
maidens looked as charming in their
sober dress as did this little fairy.
Things Forbidden in War.
1t is, perhaps, not generally realized
that the game Of war is hedged round
by as many restrictions as boxing
contest under Queensberry rules. These
regulations, says Ttt-Bits, which are
under the sanction of all the civilized
countries of the world, are designed to
insure fair play for the combatants.
When it is intended to lombard q
place due notice should be given, 50
that all women and children may be