Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-03-15

vey Of coming fashions; therefore
the beau monde is dividing it's time
equally between devotional and char
liable work and the important duty of
selecting clothes. The only concession
the gay world makes in these modern
times to the period of t'sackcloth and
ashes is in the narrowing of it's diver
sions. The regimen consists chiefly in
substituting daylight affairs for the
nighttime frolics, but withal the ele-
ment Of pleasure is not lacking, for no
woman ever shops during Lent without
a maj or two at her heels, and what
could be more amusing than a mar at
the modiste's. And as for lectures-'alf
and alt is the rule. This is rather hard
on the men, I admit, but some capri
cious. matron saw fit last year, to put
into practice the old doggerel, EARLY
to bed, early to RISE" bringing it UP to
date by changing the last line of the
couplet to read, Makes a woman
youthful, beautiful and wise" This
season she has a host Of imitators who
subscribe to the sentiment. So what's a
poor fellow to do but tag after his lady
love wherever she may choose to go,
for it is a fixed fact that lights are out
at 8 on Murray Hill, and milady has
sought her couch for beauty sleep?
Were / a man the spirit of retaliation
would suggest that l keep a diary of
Lady Fairs doings, both petty and
grand, for 40 days, which I'd read at
the last meeting Of the sewing circle
crowd just as candles were lighted and
the men appeared for a benevolent
cracker and moral cup of tea, and I
venture to say woman's Lenten tactics
after such an object lesson would differ
materially, n the pioneer would be
compelled to sing a solo while the cho-
Y chanted "~retribution."
There a be but one opinion regard
Ing the beauty in color and texture of
spring fabrics. The soft, limp dress
goods presented in all cotton or in mix
lures cannot fail to bring forth I'M
qualified praise. Silk and cotton, silk
and wool and gauzy, silken stuffs, which
lead, are all without the slightest pre-
n to dignity. Even the silks used
for lining are devoid Of dressing and
fall in graceful, supple folds beneath
the more ample draping of the gown
proper, instead Of maintaining stiff,
substantial outlines. Crinoline has been
permanently discarded from the bottom
or skirts, which are kept free from the
feet by the use of a heavy t~hree-quarter
inch cord incased in a bias fold and
sewed to he very edge of the skirt.
This cable cord adjunct was a very
necessary invention at this particular
time, as the increased length of skirts,
allied to the clinging qualities demand
ed, meant an intricate tangle Of feet
and frock which would beget awkward
ness. IT resulting in no more disastrous
contretemps. h cord preventive orig
e fnofod rptfh n oy,1 - - . 10
biggest American patron stumbled and
fell at Monte Carlo, injuring her ankle
seriously because Of her sweeping dress
folds.
Velvet has installed itself as a ia
Vorite fabric for spring despite the I'M
usual array of soft, filmy stuffs, such
as voile,' the crinkled silk and wool ma
terlal over which London is going mad.
inc the new Partisan fancy for loose
canvas Weaves in cotton, silk or wool.
a pretty example of the velvet gown
Is pale green in color, handsomely trim
med with black and white lace. The
combination is quite striking. and the
association of black lace with white is
n OF the freakish ideas which will be
markedly popular throughout the sea-
BON. Although we are supposedly inter
ested IN the discussion of airy .gar-
NAASASS, LIE Inconsistency OH the fem
mime mind is discernible in the smart
visiting gown with fur trimmings
which is lying side by side in a swell
shop with other elegant frocks, thin as
the proverbial wafer, all intended to
contribute later to the Kaleidoscope
Easter army in it's annual parade. The
Dne redeeming feature Of the fur trim
med frock is its color. 1T is OF cream
broadcloth, with bolero and underskirt
oflcut out panne. With it will be worn
q and muff of violets.
Another attractive costume is COM
posed Of beige wolfe spottedwith white.
finely tucked, inserted with cream quiz
pure and finished with an empire band
of turquoise blue panne. In this way
the princess effect is obtained in a two
piece garment. In c-ontradistinction to
the princess idea will be the new lace
bodices which have taken the town by
storm. These are cut with BASQUE
skirts worn outside. Sometimes they
take the form of square cut tabs; at
others a fitted %aounce, not more than