The times., 1898-07-31
THE GANGPLANK PARADE.
Amazing Outfits Worn by Some
Homecoming Feminines.

Amazing Outfits Worn by Some
Homecoming Feminines.
Quite the most impressive sight. to fem
inine eyes. when great Atlantic liner Il
warped into her slip at the New York
docks, is the dress parade of home-com-
ing women down the gangplank leading
from the irst-class cabin Humble-mind-
ed or scant of purse Is that traveller who
does not peacock down the narrow wood
en- lane leading 10 the dock in gown of
special Importance.
The coming-off costume of course, in
cudes a brand new hat, shoes, gloves
sunshade and often enough wrap which
she carelessly throws over her arm and
thus tries to run the gantlet of the Gus
toms. In the good old days. when Uncle
Sam exacted light duties, the coming-oG
toilets used to be very perfect in ap-
pointment indeed, the most exquisite Gre
ations from the rule de la Paix and bon
nets from celebrated maisons figured in
the show. Nowadays the high duty on
personal belongings has brought about d
curious result in this lress parade. Wom-
en- who have dipped deeply into foreign
shops put on, for the arrival function, not
what will make the most symmetrical
costume. but what they prize the mos.
and wish to get through duty free.
The idea IS 10 wear ashore the most
precious things, and in consequence
some amazing outfits trip on 10 the
dock When a ship came in from Eng
land recently, and the day was piping
hot stout dowager sailed down the
gangplank arrayed in a superb gray
sa in skirt. cut with a long train, and
heavily trimmed with splendid lace. 1t
was evidently gorgeous dinner dress,
for the satin body as richly ornamented
as the skirt. had an incongruous white
lawn CAMP fitted into the decollete neck.
and muslin sleeves sewed into the arm
holes Around her throat the lady wore
a faultless boa of sable tails; on her
head was a hat all too palpably bought
for her sixteen-year-old daughter. and
aloft fiuttered a dainty white lace and
satin sunshade.
Beads Of perspiration glistened on the
flushed but gra.ified countenance OF the
good lady. All the devoted sons and
daughters, who were on hand to greet
her. were held at arms length. for, ar
rayed as she was. no embraces We're
possible Over one arm swung the tail
of her frock, the family stood like
bodyguard about her 10 preserve her
satin draperies from the furnishing
contact of luggage and passengers, and
in the midst of her discomfort the lady
was triumphant. Her best frock, her
furs. Gladys hat and Josie's parasol
were safe and at the grim inquiry Of
the inspector she averred that the tout
ensemble was her travelling dress. and
she defied him TO contradict her.
The dowager was not. however, alone
in her eccentricity. Another woman
came ashore in a palpably London
made golf dress, an enormously wavy
Scotch shawl ulster. and delicate
tooue of tulle and plumes on her head
Under the influence of the heat and the
ulster she grew white, and tainted when
she reached the dock. She had worn
the ponderous garment all the way up
the bay, and as she fell into her hus-
bands arms she was heard to murmur
Historically: Save my hat.
But these are not the only tragedies OF
the coming ashore parade II is when,
having arrayed herself in her wonderful
gown and marching proudly down the
gangway. that the bottomless perfidy of
the Paris and London modiste and mil
liner is discovered. Now, it Is the desire
of every American woman's heart 10 buy
her hats and gowns quite unlike those of
any other woman. 1t is customary for
milliners and modistes TO recommend toi-
lets as perfectly novel of design, to ask
double prices for hats of which no copies
are made. and even to destroy the drawn
design OF a hat or gown before custom
er's eyes in order to insure her in the
sole possession of the unique treasure.
There were couple of women who got
back home lately with tales of deepest
woe to tell One of them had fallen into
the clutches of a Regent Street tailor
and all the way over she talked of a
stunning gown she was going TO wear
ashore The gown was of her own de-
signing, and she was as tickled with il
as a stamp fiend who has got the only
specimen of its kind. She made fast
friends with a woman from Chicago. and
| they both sat on deck when the weather
would allow and sharply criticised a
couple of demure little yelIOw-headed ac-
tresSeS who dressed very blowziiy indeed
| The day of the landing the New Yorker
rose on deck perfect to the last pin. a
smile of deep content on her face and a
fresh cambria handkerchief in her hand
| ready to wave greeting TO the shore Mid.
way of the deck she met her Chicago
| ehum. Both women stopped short, grew
| pale. The New Workers. lip began tC
| tremble and tears to gather in her eyes
| the Chicasoan looked as If she had seer
snake or mouse. Their gowns were
| seam for seam, stitch for stitch exact
| duplicates. The women passed each 9th.
| er without even bowling. but the dregs OF
| their cup was not yet reached 1t was
| when by chance they both started tlowr
| the gangway, elbow to elbow. that they
| saw directly before them the two LITTLE
actresses. who We're the sisters sometime
or other, performers in variety shows, an(
always dressed exactly alike. gowned in
| the most faultless copies of the spec{a
| and particular design of which the New
York woman was sure she owned tn,
| copyright