The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-24
STRAYTALES0F THET0WN
THE THIN MANS TROUBLES WITH
BELT AND TROUSERS.
He Envies the Plump Man Who Looks
So Debonair-Other stories
of City Life.

When the warm days begin the thin man
has a season Of discomfort due 10 the
trousers belt Later the discomfort passes
in the measure that person grows used to
a chronic illness. Some men will not wear
suspenders with belt because IL is not the
proper thing, and others have such scorn
for hypocrisy that they would not permit
themselves to seem TO be supporting their
trousers with belts when. in reality, sus-
penders were concealed under their
coats. 1t may or may not be true that the
belt method is cooler than the suspender
method, but IL is certain that a man with
out a waistcoat does not look right without
a belt. The shirtwaist. with its trousers
buttons around the waistband might have
solved the problem satisfactorily-smal
boys get along well with this arrangement
but the shirtwaist seems 10 have passed
in the same season il came.
The narrow belt is slightly and proper,
and. therefore, most used. but now and
then one sees man wearing one OF the
old-fashioned broad belts. which he prob,
ably has used for several summers. The
heat effect OF the broad belt is as powerful
as that of the flannel abdominal band that
noble women used TO make for the soldier
boys. Any sort or belt Is torture 20 the
thin man. IL does not do what IL promises
If he punches additional holes and draws-1t
tight he lives in fear of fatal results froEa
construction. which women ignore. his
trousers drag on the ground at his heels
and wear out there, and IL he turns them
up at the bottom they wear out at the folc.
Passing over the wear on the trousers,
which is of little consequence TO the man
of means, there remains the physical dam
age, the nervous strain. When the thin
man leaves home ne Is cool and ne re-
joices in his belt. He likes the freedom
IL gives his shoulders. AS the day goes
he more and more pulls at the waistba nd
of his trousers. This is both exasperating
and ungraceful. on the trip home In the
evening the belt Is at its worst. II seems
about 10 give up its grip entirely. The
pulling UP OF the trousers Is necessary at
every fifth step. and when the thin man
reaches his door he Is exhausted. perspir-
ing and condemnatory. There is no help
for him. He must gaze with envy at tho
plump man. whose trousers hang grace
fully and whose belt stays snugly In the
right position.
Practical jokers sometimes get their vic
tins into trouble. or. 10 say the least.
cause them temporary embarrassment. A
case in point is the joke played on a young
physician OF this city who has been at
tending the meeting Of the State Medical
Society at Evansville IL was known by his
friends that he would stop en- route 70
Evansville at a certain town 10 call upon
a young woman who Is dear 20 his heart.
Several OF them. therefore. decided 10 make
him the butt Of a practical joke. and sent
kilograms 10 him In care OF his hance cali
culated 20 make explanations necessary.
IL was ascertained that the kilograms were
delivered. but the recipient was shrewd
enough 10 maintain dignifed silence. and
how strenuous his life, since he left In.
dianapolis, has been.