The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1901-09-11

time housewife with keen matronly
pride in the number of tiny pieces
crowded into a small space. Every
portion of a skin which shows insult
fcient strength is cut away and an
other substituted. Certain portions
of garment must have greater fex-
Utility than others and its seams
must run in one direction only. All
these considerations, together with
the economical one of utilizing every
scrap and particle of costly skin,
combine to make the fur garment an
assemblage of many and minute
patches rather than com bination of
a few uncut skins.
Only the girls and women, whose
deft fingers perform this task, real
lie the Wearisome extent of the re-
CURED patching. On the other hand,
this industry affords employment in
st. Paul alone to about 600 hands.
Next to gems and jewels, fine furs
probably furnish the most compelling
temptations to those who hold the
seventh commandment in light re-
gard. Besides the advantage of large
value in condensed form, the beau
tiful fur garment possesses subtle
and peculiar fascinatio for the femi-
nine eye which makes it, in rare de-
gree, the prey of the feminine shop
litter. Many strange and interesting
stories might be told Of the disap-
pearance and recovery Of costly fur
garments, but one related by lead
ing fur dealer of the northwest will
suffice to show the remarkable adj
ventures which sometimes befall the
costly articles put out by the fur
houses.
This manufacturer had friend
who engaged in open-air evangelism
in a western railroad town, and he
occasionally attended the meeting
held by the man who followed the
methods of the Salvation Army. On
one of these occasions a convert
sought private audience with the
street preacher, intimating that he
had burden" which he would will
ingly have lifted.
After the penitent had made his
private confession the evangelist
came to his fur-dealing friend and
exclaimed: "Here's a queer coincl.
dence! Didn't you tell me that a
very valuable seal coat mysteriously
disappeared from your establishment
several months ago? I thought | re-
membered your mention of the occur
renee. Well, this poor fellow tells
me of a garment of precisely that de-
scription which he wishes to have re-
stored to it's rightful owner. Could
you identify the article beyond any
question if it were placed in your
hands?'
Eyes, answered the fur dealer.
"The private mark of our house is
stamped on the inside Of each in
dividual skin that goes into every ar
ticle of apparel we put out. And the
impression is in indelible ink that
cannot be eradicated without spoil
ing the skin upon which it is stamped.
This is fact generally overlooked
by those who venture to steal furs."
The penitent was sent for the gar
ment in question. It's seams were
opened and the mark of the fur man
ufacturer's firm found on the flesh
side of the skins. He had long aban-
doned the hope of recovering the gar
ment, which was worth several hum
dreds of dollars.
More than one stolen fur garment
has been recovered by being sent for
repair to the house by which it was
originally made up for the patron
from which it was unlawfully taken,
the Identification being established
by the well-concealed private marks
covered by the lining.
1t is difficult tc :snagIKe a place
more attractive to the feminine eye
than the room in the great fur house
in which it's finished garments are
hung in tall wardrobes and display
cases. To pass these long lines Of
rich creations in sable, otter, fox and
other costly furs is to realize that no
fabric made by human hands can
hope to rival in richness and beauty
the splendid coats wherewith Nature
has clothed the four-footed jewellers
in the chill regions of the north. No
whim of fashion can long prevail
against the natural attractive,,' ess OF
furs: their decorativeness is being
increasingly discerned, even in the
warm climate, and the demand for
them increases with every season.
FORREST CRISSEY.
Fought a Duel with Melons.