The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-06

YOU haven't a stomach. have
IEl one made. II you nave stom-
k4k2 ach. have II unmade. for. unless
I&rDI your stomach is the correct
shape you can walk stiff-kneed
until you're paralyzed, but you won't have
the correct FORM" vigorously announced
Miss Elizabeth A. c. White. president OF
the Dressmakers Protective Association, TO
an audience of mild-eyed women at the
opening session yesterday OF the fourth
dressmakers' convention, in the Masonic
Temple. according to the New York Press
"Oh, you needn't look at one another in
that critical way" continued Miss White
II know who has 'em and who hasn't 'em,
and you all need to be fixed over Now.
YOU" pointing her finger at a stout woman,
whose waist only a sad memory, Il
can give you the most approved 'Greclan
bend teach you to walk on your knees,
but I'll have to get you into a straight
front first, fastened down with my new
safety"
The stout woman, looking almost green.
pushed her way out through the throng
of eager women and waddled. with all the
dignity she could command, straight for
the door Her exit was so hasty and so
pronounced every one turned to look.
She'll come back. Don't you care" said
Miss White TIL get her into a good-fit-
ting one. She feels delicate about-wel,
about her lack of a straight front She has
too much stomach. 1t sometimes affects
them that way"
With a quick movement Miss White
turned to a slight girl, took her around
the waist and said:
why you have no stomach. You must
have that fixed at once. Now"-with
graceful courtesy-'1ook at me-" She was
clad fstultlessly in blue. There was muir
muir OF admiration as Miss White wheeled
slowly around to be observed.
Then she stood on her knees" She ex-
planned she really meant standing
common sense"
your feet?" said She why. they're
only appendages. for you all stand on your
knees" This was a point for the uniniti-
ated to ponder, and more than one fair
brow was wrinkled.
Now I declareP said a portly woman
D her cs5x SSdS hsr b s9
daughter. she has no stomach at all. Do
you suppose your father would know your
curves?" But Mary Ann refused to venture
an opinion Miss White whispered TO the
New Jersey woman, You be sure to come
10 the corset demonstration"
Indeed / WILL" said Mrs. Jersey, but 1
do wonder what Mrs. MCGEE Will say when
/ try to fix her Easter dress without
stomach"
A woman got out pad and pencil and
asked what the safety. to work in har-
mony with the straight front, was like.
Miss White gave a long, technical explana-
ton. to which the questiOner listened, be-
wildered by the number of fastenings. See
ing blank looks on the faces of many of her
auditors. Miss White shouted in strident
tones: Bring that legl'
The leg was brought nicely covered with
a black silk stocking. Caressing it. the
president said: This little pocket is for the
safety garter" Then the glad light of
knowledge flashed across the faces of those
who had been mystified about the uses Of
ters?" demanded Miss White. Il can show
you so much better than 1 can tell it.
Bring me those gartersi' shouting to a girl
who was passing
But while the carriers were being brought
the presence or man was discovered by
some spinsters They quivered with indig-
nation. There stood Miss White with a leg
IN her arms, and man watching
This discovery caused mild sensation,
and with one accord there was a right
about face movement, a break in the ranks,
and without waiting for the garters the OBJ
jectors hastily left the group. Some hur-
ried out OF the Temple and others found
shelter I'm the rooms where the imported
gowns were on exhibition.
These had come from prominent French
modistes. Perhaps the most striking was
OF white net, with steel trimming and
flowers embroidered in lavender. The net
overdress worn with a green slip, and
the blending OF green with lavender gave
beautiful effect OF freshness. This elab-
crate robe was an evening gown with a
long train, and having wide flounces on
both skirt and waist and a wide girdle of
green at the waist