Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-12-24


in the Place de la Madeleine will
f. gather host of people from ev-
- cry civilized cline. Crowded as
this center of modern Paris is
at all times, the concourse that gathers
on this particular night comes but once
a year. This merry Christmas throng
awaits admittance into the magnificent
Madeleine cathedral all eager to as
sist at the gorgeous ceremony of the
midnight mass.
Precisely as the great clock on the
boulevard sends forth twelve peals an
nouncing the midnight hour the cleo
trio lights flash out from the sacred
edifice, the great organ breaks forth
into a triumphant welcome, and the
crowd decorously moves into the
church. Fortunate are the lucky pos
SCISSORS of cards admitting them to
the narrow side galleries that are
opened only on high festival occasions.
From this point CT vantage are seen
the surpliced choir of a hundred sweet
voiced boys and the superb altar. with
its myriads of candles and flowers. Sud-
denly the solemn stiffness is broken by
a single voice crying in exultant tones
the word Bethlehem" The service
has now begun, and on until the early
dawn of morning the mass continues.
This celebration is a religious func-
ton which no American spending the
holidays in Paris ever fails to witness.
The religious ceremony of Christmas
having been observed by every good
Christian, the worldly side of the fes-
tival claims the attention of the vola-
tile and gay Partisan. This year house
parties will carry merriment into a
number of homes. Especially will this
be the case at many of the beautiful
and historic chateaus and modern viii
las situated but short distance from
the gay capital.
The masculine contingents Of these
parties, like the lilies of the fields, do
not have to spin or toll over their ward
robe. Regulation clothes tucked into a
grip by his lordship or his man is all
the thought these lucky creatures give
to the dress question. except, perhaps,
to his monocle, which little piece Of
English adornment is driving the Pari-
sian exquisite to even more absinth in
the efforts to assume this eye attach
ment with a "to-the-manner-born" air.
But the feminine guest meanwhile
is agitating her poor brain almost to
mine exactly what to take In the way
Of costumes. How difficult 1t is to se-
lect suitable clothes for week end
visit! One does not wish to appear as
IL the stay was to be indefinite or that
one intended to inflict oneself upon her
hostess for a month. Yet it is impos-
sible to squeeze the requisite number
Of voluminous modern clothes into a
small space. We travel to our destina-
ton in a tailor made gown. We re-
quire short walking skirt and two or
three wash blouses and thick boots for
walking and sports. Then there is the
tea gown, without which you cannot
visit country house, not to mention a
smart dinner frock for one night and
a picturesque empire gown for the 9TH
er, while If the wardrobe still boasts
another attractive evening dress you
will want to take it to wear on the
third evening. Then there is the Sum
day toilet, as well as lingerie, matinees,
dressing gown and at least three hats.
So. you see, 1t is no wonder that ma
dame is almost on the verge of hyster-
les trying to get much into little.
There is word of comfort to be
given on the subject. however. It is