The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-02-13

she is conscious that she is original or
Individual. IS
Very naturally, milady. when travelling
abroad, earnestly seeks the homes of the
peasants for family trinkets of silver or
unique metals in particular, in order that
she may adorn herself in cosmopolitan
America according to her liking. Even in
the United States the foreign settlements
are invaded for such trinkets, which are
usually held, however, in a tenacious
grasp, but judicious cajoery ofttimes
proves tempting bait when crisp noto
of Uncle Sans is rendered in payment
Bracelets fashioned from the silver dol
lars given by tourists when visiting
Alaska or Mexico possess a double salts
faction when the process Of carving with
Fobs of metal and beadwork, collars and
chains Of beads, bone and colored silks.
held together with bits of silver uniquely
chased In design are the rage.
The collector in her travels has a keen
eye for the artistic. When in the west she
pounces upon the bits Of handsome metal
which ornament the harness Of tho
broncho or lean pony of the Mexican In
dian. These ornaments are called con
chos,' and they come in various shapes.
Some Of them are circular. These make
handsome cloak buckles when clasps are
added by "civilized' jeweler. ALI are
artistically decorated with designs Of the
Swastika cross and other fanciful cary
Ings. In the center Of each one Is tur-
quoise which looks beautiful when set In
the silver.
Dealers in Indian goods in all the large
cities discovered some time ago that these
''conchos'' are just the thing for bead
belts, when a clasp and buckle are sold
cred on the under side. and since they
have become SO popular they may be pur-
chased In nearly all cities. However, they
will never become common because they
are expensive, nor will they ever go en-
tirely out Of fashion.
The flair barbarian" knows this. so
when she has an opportunity to pick up
these things in her travels she does so
at wholesale. She often pays fabulous
prices for genuine antiques Of military
origin and returns home laden with her
spoils for belt buckles, cloak fasteners
hair ornaments. dog collars. rings or
bracelets. Thrice fortunate is she if she
can watch the silversmith deftly hammer
the snail design on her bracelet and belt,
and see him insert the opal perodate, tur-
| quoise or Arizona ruby.
If she desires a SwastilSa cross on her
| ring or necklace she signifies this fact by
pantomime, whereupon the Indian pro-
ceeds to carry out her orders. He whips
| his hammer of stone, shaped like an egg,
and about the size Of q mans fist. he
| skilfully ''engraves the quaint cross
!, which represents the four quarters Of the
! earth. When his task Is completed, he
says to his patroness as he presents the
ornament, May the four winds from the
four corners of the earth blow gently upon
| you forever"
Perhaps he hammers and chisels the
cross of dondee design adopted by the
ancient franciscan monks, representing
the same thought. Necklaces of silver
1 beads, with six tiny crosses at regular
| intervals hung upon them and further or
/ ma nanfn6 with a creScenf nan6ant
worn by the high priests, while the chiefs
necklace was adorned with pendant only.
One New York woman. who is noted
for her excellent taste, has a belt made
from copper cents and other coins. grad
i uated in size. held together by tiny loops
Of wire. It is worn with eopper-colored
broadcloth. Upon her fngers5are rare de-
signs In rings. green settings being the
vogue. Her collar Is a miniature replica
Of her belt, while her bronze or copper
colored hair boasts long pins with hugo
disks in appropriate design to the rest OF
this outfit.