The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-09-06
BY KATHERI NE NORTON. (C0Dyright, 1904 by T. McC1ure.D

this knack of balancing will ever bring you? Watch women Set out of car riages and cars, for one thing. How many do 1t gracefully? Some step out timidly. apparently afraid of falling. Others jump or step with a dull thud. II can remember being dreadfully ashamed when I was a little girl on the occasion of an old gentleman's talk ing me to drive. When he helped me alight from the buggy I put q foot up on the step. then threw my weight up on him as he extended his arms, and he lifted me to the ground.
 My dear child" he said, 1t is plain you never had a brother He would have taught you to get out of a buggy more gracefully than that" There upon he gave me the lesson which I had never had. in the art of springing lightly and fearlessly so that almost none of my weight came upon the gen tlenNan's arms
 A wet or icy sidewalk, steep stairs the narrow step of a street car, the step of carriage, hundred places you come upon in everyday life give one an opportunity to display the art of bal ance. A young woman once stirred my admiration by avoiding the muddy path of carriage step and descending by gathering her skirt with one hand, placing a foot upon the wheel and springing lightly to the ground. un- assisted. One who Is not sure-footed would not dare to this To be sure 1t is not the conventional mode of alight- ing. but there are many occasions when 1t may he used conveniently.
 More than this. there is always a diff ference in the walk of one who is sure-footed and one who is not. even on the smoothest sidewalk. A free dom of motion comes to be habitual to the one who Is never afraid of her steps. The other displays a certain hesitation.
 Our American girls are known for the superb way in which they hold their heads. They are said to have the carriage of princesses by those who live in lands of princesses. To be a true American and recognized as type of the most splendid womanhood in the world you must cultivate this proud carriage. Study the pictures of the illustrators who have helped mold the typical American girl. Not ice the line from the back of the head to the shoulders; 1t shows no outward curve.
 Practice balancing articles upon your head if you would acquire this fault less line. Stand first. later walk. with a basket or a bundle upon your head. Walk more and more rapidly. Feel the big lump at the base of your neck behind. Does 1t seem to protrude? Then your head is not yet as high as 1t should be. This large protuberance near the upper end of the spine seems to go in as the head comes to the prop ed position.
 You who are afflicted with double chins, heed this lesson. Nothing causes the double chin to vanish as the posi- ton of the head does. Many a woman appears too fieshy at the throat merely because she allows her head to droop forward
 Your dancing will improve wonder fully as your lessons in balancing and elasticity progress. Did you ever hear a man say of a girl whom he con- sidered a poor dancer. She makes me do all the work?" A girl should hold herself so high when dancing that her partner is not conscious of her weight
 Remember always that deep breath ing buoys you and is essential to this elasticity you are seeking. Balance and elasticity; balance and elasticity Say them over and over determine to achieve them. They are yours for the asking. They will help you, I might almost say make you appear well dressed in the plainest garments. Watch women who are graceful. study them. You will find them on the street, on the ballroom floor. on the stage. Every where carriage gives distinction, style.
 The balancing exercises give you nerve control and without this there can be no grace. A nervous person moves jerkily and has a look of an gularity If you have tendency to start at the slightest sound. to move restlessly when you are trying to sit still. try balancing a bundle on your head and sitting still with 1t for as long a time as you can. Try holding the tips of your little finger nails to- gether without letting them slip apart for an instant. Try standing erect, bearing the weight of your body upon your two feet and clasping your hands loosely before you.
 After a little practice of this sort you will find 1t much easier to walk through car or boat while 1t Is In motion. Practice doing so. Instead of plunging into someone's lap you will find yourself walking easily and even ly. and able to take your seat calmly at the end of your promenade.
 Walk occasionally with the hands on the hips for the sake of throwing the shoulders back and raising the chest