The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-08-18
THE OUTDOOR WOMAN.
4 New Type That Il Coming to the
Front In This
ss Country. #

Front In This
Country.
The smiling and wholesome product
Of sunshine and fresh air known as
the outdoor woman could scarcely have
been so classified in America ten years
ago. -...,gs
American women previous to that
time, charming though they were, were
obliged to yield the palm to their cous-
ms across the water for superabun-
dance of glowing color, and healthy,
symmetrical proportions heritage
from generations gone before, who be-
lieved that no one could develop the
highest of health and beauty if they
were housed from one weeks end to
the other, and who had lived up to their
belief.
Those of our countrywomen who
lived in the city seldom made point
of any consecutive outdoor exercise,
reserving it all for the summer season,
when fashion or custom sent them to
seashore or country.
Here they systematically INDUCED in
riding, driving and walking, bathing
and sailing, with an occasional game of
croquet, by way of variety.
The country woman suffered still
more from the neglect of her outdoor
opportunities; for she had not the in
centive of change and variety which
gave zest to her sisters sojourn in the
country.
1t is strange, but true, that compara-
lively few women born and bred amid
natures loneliness care as much for
any of the glory spread around them
as they do for an intricate pattern in
crochet, initiating leaf or flower, which
after infinite toll and nervous head
aches they develop in thread or worsted
to adorn some indoor shrine.
Even the country woman of leisure
generally cared more for an occasional
trip to the city, pilgrimage through
the shops, and the latest tints and
shades in shimmering silks, than for
the gorgeous hues spread DER field and
fen. A visit to the opera, with it's sump-
tuous adjuncts, its glamour and glitter,
would provide theme for delightful
retrospection for months, when the
everlasting hills covered with beautiful
verdure and magnificent trees, vocal all
summer long with rapturous music
from the Threats of thousands of happy
singers, would be unseen, unheard and
unheeded.
But change has come to our women,
and who shall say, as they gaze on their
glowing faces and finely developed fig
ures, that it is not for the better.
The languid and delicate woman,
whose sensitive nerves were always on
edge, has gone entirely out of fash
ion, and the unfortunate ones who an
swer to that description now are so be-
cause they cannot help it.
A generation or two further on will
find them-let us hope-an extinct spe-
cies.
And what has wrought this change?
What alchemist has been at work,
changing the muddy hue of ill-health
to the clear pink and white, red and
brown of wholesome skins?
What miracle has heightened the
stature, Strengthened the shoulders,
rounded the busts and limbs of our
erstwhile round-shouldered and atten-
uated young women? What has
changed the lusterless and half-shut
eye for one that brightens or grows
tender, with the softest liquid beauty,
as it reflects the live soul and emotions
within?
My answer is, an awakening to the
Importance of outdoor life, and a con-
sequent improving of every opportunity
to live, move and have their being in
the closest relationship with Mother
Nature.
Life takes on new meaning when a
woman embraces the religion of out-of-
doors. It works an entire change in her
manner of living. If not, she is no true
convert, her conversion is not even skin
deep, and she soon backslides into her
previous condition of servitude.-Mary
Sargent Hopkins, in Frank Leslie's Pop
,llar Monthly.