The San Francisco call., 1905-08-20

a great personal interest IN Il all the
same because 1t was actually bought by
one Of my friends. And thereby hangs
a tale OF custom-house tyranny, combined
with unwise interference OF husbands In
general and one husband in particular.
Mrs L. (she was not Californian by
the way) saw the dress when she was
shopping on general principles, and her
husband was with her. To see 1t was
to admire it, and then to covet the pos
session OF it-but husband. not being af-
f1icted with a mania for lace, and really
unable to appreciate the beauty Of the
dress, rebelled at such extravaganza and
drew the purse strings tightly closed. His
refusal to purchase this beautiful but
costly bit Of feminine adornment was
weakened by a recital Of tha fearful
duties which would be exacted under our
high tariff laws.
1t was In vain that Mrs L. protested
that she would be quite able to bring 10
into our boundaries without duty. Shs
was no exception to the proverbial re-
proach that all women are natural snug
glers. Mr.. l., however, would not sane
ton a fragrant breach OF our laws ike
that and she went back to the hotel de-
jected and crestfallen.
But the morning light inspired her with
new courage. and she wended her way,
with firm resolve, and actually bought
the dress. and kept the secret from her
husband.
And now comes his unwisdom and
what it cost. On their arrival at New
York Mr.. L. prompted by desire 10
play a practical joke on his wife. con-
fided to the officer Of the customs that
she had a valuable dress OF lace In her
trunk which she had bought In Brus-
sells, and which she was now In the act
of smuggling into this country.
Fancy the diSmay OF his wife and the
fpopa horror NJ ba brSh the Hraaz
(Which he had supposed was stil ex-
hibited at Brussels to entrap rich Amer
lean wOmen) was unearthed from the
trunks, and the duties on which fairly
shocked his sensibilities and his pocket
book.
I win not undertake to point the moral
OF this "over true story" but there are
two. or three morals to 1t. which are OBJ
vious enough without telling. may only
mention one. which may be called sub
moral or incidental-and that Is that. as
lace is not an American industry, 1t is
painful to have TO pay tremendous du-
ties upon it. particularly when the lace
is really such beautiful work OF art as
the dress I have been telling about.
But revenOns a nos moutonS!
Irish lace waists are still very much
worn, and they are very attractive, al
though this machine made lace Is not
so handsome as the handmade. It Is
very expensive. however.
1t is quite the fashion this year to
mix Iaces, and one frequently sees a
waist with as many as three different
kinds of lace.
VaIenciennes edging sewed on the edge
of Irish lace makes very pretty effect.
and can be used to very good, advantage
in trimming waists
In Paris the dressmakers have q very
skillful way Of making yokes out Of
narrow Valenciennes lace and Insertion.
The edges OF the insertion are gathered.
and the lace is laid fiat on the edge OF It,
1t is hardly possible to have any pret-
tier trimming for an evening dress than
some real lace. A bodice with a deep
bertha OF real lace Is very handsome In
deed.
In the days when our mothers were girls
large and very beautiful shawls made OF
point lace were In use. AT several wed
dings Of late years thes shawls have
done further duty as wedding wells. and
very handsome they have appeared.
Miss -Leontine Brakeman wore her
grandmother's lace for her bridal veil.
and her gown was trimmed with the
lace that had trimmed her grandmother's
wedding dress.
Lace. lie wine. improves by age. be-
sides befnss hallowed by association.