The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-19

Paris. December 1S.-(Special )-FeW Americans there are, not accustomed to visiting Paris, who would associate the name 'midinettes" with the shop girls of the French capital, or understand that the names are co-euual. Poor little girls. As they go cheerily to work early each morning; with only a brief hour or less for luncheon, they often work until o'clock at night or later.
 Without the aid of their clever little fingers few women would ever be en- abled to wear dainty and exquisitely fine linen garments and blouses that are the delight of women who shop here, wheth- CT Americans or of other nationalities.
 You may storm and fret as much as you please, if a woman, in case your order is not carried out as desired. but you will have to submit to the eaprices of the Paris '.midinettes,' of whom, by the way, there are said to be 25O,oO0 in this city. and whose nickname is due to the fact that they are most of the "midi'' French, meaning 'noon."
 In no other city could the ''midinettes" thrive or even exist. In London, Berlin or Vienna, she would droop and fade like a typical New Yorker, needing the life of her home city to give her the proper 'atmosphere.'
 It certainly is an "ill wind" that 'blows no one any good
 American automobilists will no doubt soon adopt the new style of horn with which notice is given in Paris of the approach of a machine. Many machines now carry horns which sound sew eral hummng notes, either ascending or descending, and are so attractive in sound as to almost reconcile one Of being run over by autos who carry them.
 The corner in front of the Cafe de la Paix is often spoken of as the wicked est street corner in Paris" because Of the existence of restaurants where those seeking the sights of "high life" as 1t is termed here, give champagne suppers and where men and women, all attired in the latest fashion, are constantly passing seeking excitement. Visiting Americans and a certain class of Paris residents congregate there, always anx- ious to see what may be seen among the passing crowd. Here autos are always dashing about, largely needless of the safety of pedestrians.
 Tn the windows of the smartest shops are to De seen the new hiIuoHd pioueSSs of net plain or metaliZed, or of chinon, to wear over lace or of silk. They are extremely attractive. One is of metal ized net and a border of panne velvet to match, as a finish to neck and sleeves, which, by the way, are now worn inva- riably of elbow length. No smarter idea could have been conceived to freshen up q handsome lace waist. If of the same color as the skirt it carries out pretty idea of coloring.
 The Paris suffragettes are commencing to initiate their English sisters and in- dulge in public demonstrations. They may often be seen on the boulevards, marching in crowds and requesting passers-by to sign petitions approving their demands. They also invade the main and branch postoffices in search or signatures. Their petitions. they explain, are to be presented to the prime minis ter.
 An unkind woman attributes the pres ent vogue of turbans to the lack or halr to which many women have succeeded in reducing themselves Dy dint of too much rat" and dragging up our tresses and pinning them, sometimes, to the brims of picture hats, holding them iast by means of many large pins. NO doubt we shall soon see birds or para disc rampant in all their glory on top of the turbans of the day. Poier has launched the style. a reproduction or