St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1899-09-09
THE OUTDOOR WOMAN.
4 New Type That II Coming 70 the
front In This
County.

The smiling and wholesome produc
Of sunshine and fresh air known a
the outdoor woman could scarcely hav
been SO classified in America ten year
igo.
American women previous to tina
time. charming though they were. wer
obliged to yield the palm to their cous
ins across the water for a superabun
dance of glowing color, and healthy
symmetrical proportions heritag
from generations gone before, who be
lieved that no one could develop tn,
highest of health and beauty if the,
were housed from one weeks end I.
the other, and who had lived up to thei
belief.
Those Of our countrywomen VIII,
lived in the city seldom made poin
of any consecutive outdoor exercise
reserving it all for the summer season
when fashion or custom sent them t.
seashore or country.
Here they spasmodically indulged il
riding. driving and walking. bathing
and sailing, with an occasional game o.
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 compare
lively few women born and bred amid
natures loveliness care as much fol
any of the glory spread around then
rs they do for an intricate pattern il
crochet, initiating leaf or flower, which
after infinite toll and nervous head.
aches they develop in thread or worsteG
to adorn some indoor shrine.
Even the country woman of leisure
generally cared more for an occasional
trip to the city. a 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 its 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 throats of thousands of happy
singers. would be unseen, unheard and
unheeded.
But a 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
Drown 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 haf-shut
eye for one that brightens or grows
tender. with the softest liquid beauty.
as it reflects the live soul and emotions
My answer is, an awakening To the
Importance of outdoor life, and 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 q
embraces the religion of out-of.
doors. 1t works an entire change in her
manner of living. If not, she is no true
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
alar Monthly.