The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-01-23

wv skirts. heavy boots. plain
tSalz and the carrying of
fout umbrellas on rainy days. but some
how il you are out q rainy day IL
dawns On you that on a rainy day the
American woman is not a success. She
lacks the Courage Of the English girl. who
does not care how che looks provided she
b comfortable, and who. feeling perfect
" secure in a good storm coat, strides
through mud and water in broad-sole4I
shoes and galocbea. sure OF coming out
In lit condition. She makes one big step
over d crossing and does not mind thu
soft raia-drops falling on her face. She
knows this kind OF water is good for the
complexion. Nov, the average American
woman does not look well on a rainy day.
She may go In for comfort. put on short
skirt, long ulster, and felt hat, and carry
m umbrella. but she IL uncertain In her
grasp OF IL She either takes IL by the ex-
treme end so that IL wabbies TO and fro,
~ the wind listeth. or else she grasps il
% far UP that Il looks like peranoulat-
ing mushroom, while She cannot see any,
Body, and the people who meet her run
the chance either CT having their eyes
knocked out or their digestions punched
Ia. After a block or two OF walking the
yainy-day girl concludes 70 get en- a car.
and her umbrella liz wildly waved 10 stop
Il. Then she makes the usual feminine
effort TO get on the platform with the nm-
bre!la still open. AS the car was not built
with this in view, the conductor yeiis at
her. shut that" Ny lady stands per-
fectly stiil, says something about report
Ing him 10 the superintendent. while tho
nearest man closes her umbrella for her,
and after that she enters the car. Ten TO
one she sits down next 10 somebody who
has had the rheumatism, and that vile
umbrella drips on him or her until he or
4 he ms lie has rtztf
20 one her money. instead OF being In her
ulster pocket. Is In her dress-skirt. so
that when the conductor comes for Il
she unbuttons fha coat. squirms around
10 find the pocket niiu has the whole car
interested in her efforts. Then. when the
money Is discovered. she gives 1t to the
unfortunate conductor in a way that sug-
gests that he ought to be giving thanks
that she is in his car instead OF making
her pay for the privilege. After this she
takes out her handkerchief. dabs her face
and looks around the car with her best
smile. and says with longing sigh: ooh,
! am so tiredl" This expression OF weak
ness conquers every man in the car and
absolutely permeates the being OF each
one. and my private opinion IL that II any
woman did this the second time there
would be n riot among tho men as to
who should have the privilege OF letting
her umbrella drip on him.
When she gets out II is fun TO see her.
II In evident that she Is used to being
helped across the street by a man. She
grasps her skirt in one hand, looks
around. stands on her tip-toes. gets In the
middle of the street, sees n wagon COM
ing half square away, and chases back.
Then She waits long time, makes anoth-
er rush acress when the electric cars are
racing down the street. after 81 block, and
rushes across at the risk of her life with
out any regard to appearances or else Is
meekiy led across by some man who
knows the way OF women and feels sorry
for her. A Frenchwoman would never
make herself 40 ridiculous. She lifts her
skirts In n dainty sort of way with both
hands. gives fun view OF a perfectly
fitting boot and the suggestion of a black
silk stocking. but that is only a sugges-
ton. and then with the quickness OF a
bird she gets over the bad places and Is
safe on the other side Her skirts are
quickly dropped madame is az dernure
ns possible, while she has the absolute
admiration OF all the men standing around
her.
The electric ear II not an incentive 70
gracefulness. Without asking your leave
you are deposited. Immediately after YOU
enter into the lap OF a man who does not
appreciate his blessings, and later You
spill your change on the floor because OF
The car wabbling In your effort TO - bus
iuesslike and count your money. You are