New-York tribune., 1903-07-23
LITTLE SONG.
THE AMIsH COSTUME.
Women Still Wear Same Garb as Worn by
Their Ancestors Long Years Ago.

The costumes in vogue to-day among the Arnish
people are precisely the same those worn by
the founders Of their faith who came over to this
new country many generations ago. And their
costumes are indicative Of all their lives. still
primitive settlement in New-HoIland. Lancaster
County, Penn, they have kept their simple ways
intact and separate from the great restless. seeth
ing world about them. Industry and frugality are
cardinal virtues with them. and it is a sin to
marry outside Of the faith.
An Arnish wife and mother gives q picture Of
the daily life Of the community in ''The Inde-
pendent" Our preachers are not paid she
says 'rbut are selected by lot One Of six books
is marked and then all are distributed to six wait
ing men. If the whom the lot falls finds
after some months effort that he is not qualified
for the duty, he is then permitted to retire in
favor Of another. The Office IS one rarely sought
and as rarely declined We have only meeting
houses never churches. and indeed. the ideal is
to hold services in the homes Of the brethren and
have no special building set apart for worship
"Our children now attend public school, where
at first they were regarded objects Of great
curiosity on account of their dress, but they now
do not excite the slightest comment"
The children call their parents by their Christian
names, but the discipline observed in Amish
family would put the average American young
ster to blush, nevertheless" The daily bill of
fare is very simple. Ham and eggs scrapple, bean
soup trout from the brook. apple butter etc. are
among the 'standbys" Coffee was once consid-
cred a luxury among the Amish. but that time is
past
The mixture of HoIIandish and South German
dialects is slowly disappearing, and many of the
Arnish now speak English. Buttons thing
eschewed Hooks and eyes take their place, even
on the overcoats of the men. The smallest chill
dren dress almost exactly do their elders, the
little girls In plain straight gowns and poke bon
nets and the boys in suspenderless trousers and
fat crowned. broad brimmed hats
I'VE do not take oaths" writes the chroncler OF
these primitive folk but affirm. which. in
court Of Justice or the court Of conscience answers
hold mortgages but must not carry judgment notes
The theatre and worldly pleasures generally and
liquor selling in particular are sternly discounte-
ninced. Yet. while extremely rigid with our
selves we are liberal with those beyond the pale
While have no ritual, in some minor Things v"
have known a committee of Amish elders to re-
main in session for more than two hours de deoaI7
ing whether the bonnet strings OF the women
should be an inch an inch and half in WldIA.
'As 10 labor there is an equal division between cen
fields If their household duties do not occupy tner
entire time We rise with the daybreak ana re e
a time Of incessant toll. I think do not have an
idle half hour in an entire day. II there H.-s -
polish on the parior furniture or in adding anoteF
touch the kitchen -, -,
dula-e in some little harmless recreations occa-
sionaIy there Is a husking. q quilting pee or q
lions for the younger members of the commit
Sauerkraut making at that season or the year =
also a great function as they say OF tle sifiiN -
nv husband almost owns the farm now, s%fter %
ss-r5 rernfnds ne that nv entire lsfe as girl ara
woman with the exception OF ieN years = far1n
INV income Is small, but needs are few, ana
~ the end of every harvest my husband ls , aue
70 put SnlalI az Sui TsiTV dsV we are happy and
eoTtented with this simple yet busy NE