The Washington herald., 1909-07-11

packed I'D my boxes and went out West
70 the ranch OF a friend OF mine. where
I lived on the fat OF the land, had plenty
OF wholesome amusement, but didn't wear
anything but a flannel shirt from the
time came until the time I left. An.
that was lifer'
There Is a certain summer resort in
New England frequented by plutocrats
where the only occupation seems 70 be
J golf and rivalry in dress. At II o'clock
\ In the morning womer sit about on tbs
big. luxmious piazzas in Irish lace frocks
and colossal diamonds, where they dis
cuss each others clothes and diamonds
while the men 90 over the course IN most
approved golf toggery, the smartest OF
/ golf bags filed with the latest and most
approved sticks. 1t is an elegant sight
/ surely but do the women on the veran-
das and the men on the links get the
rest they are alleged 70 be seekingY Are
they not thinking too much Of the gal
/ leries and too little of their own real
need or is it rest and recreation 20 dis
/ play their wealth on their own or the
wives persons. and thus arouse the jeal-
ousy and envy OF their fellows? II IL
\ is we wish it was not for these are
mean and ignoble qualities-qualiues that
make anarchists and discontents. Great
souls do not need fine clothes and costly
/ jewels TO proclaim their worth. Il is only
little souls who affect them, hoping
thereby to conceal their Httleness and
meanness.
But we are wandering away from our
sheep. The plea was for simplicity in
summer dress because II made for com
fort and freedom, and because conven-
tionaI attire is OUT Of place in Gods tenn
pies This does not mean that any one
should make himself conspicuous by af-
fecting a neglige among people who look
upon it with disapproval. / am not ad-
vocating nonconformity. but would
counsel overworked. tired people to seek
those places where they can be most COM
Portable and yet conform. Only the other
evening I saw in ballroom. where some
fifty couples were dancing, only one even
ing coat. and this poor man looked hot
and queer enough IN his broadcloth among
the men IN light hannels. Benighted fel-
low. he doubtless had no place 10 wear
his fine clothes in winter, and so seized
upon this country bail as a long-awaited
opportunity It would have been exactly
as incongruous 10 have seen one suit Of
fiannels IN a ballroom where all the men
wore evening clothes. for in al social
matters conformity should rule.
In adopting sensible clothes for summer
II IS not necessary as some people evil
! IDENTIFY think, TO adopt a new code OF
manners and morals Laxity In either
{ is not excused by a loose coat and fiow'
ing tie The manners Of the real gentle
man and the real gentlewoman are nevel
I affected by their environment no matter
what IL may be- for their manners ar,
: part OF themselves and cannot be pu
on and put of with their habits. Th'
most exquisite manners I have ever me
with have been up in the Maine caEps
, where life is as simple and primitive a.
can be found in these days. There, IA
: away from the society stage, the tru'
character and the true manners OF mel
and women are 10 De seen
I once passed a week az one OF thes'
2 isolated camps with a party OF gay so
I ciety people, among whom was the societl
leader OF the city whence he came. 4
man who had enjoyed every social tri
umph, on the other as well as on this sid
Of the water, that could come TO one an'
. who had been admired and cOurted wher
Z ever he had gone Every one wOndere
e why he had accepted this invitation q
l. camp ont in the Ranseleys, for. declares
!. the party collectively and individually, az
ter being wined and dined all winter
: petted and spoiled. he will be bored L
/ death up here IN the wilderness
I Well, he came and from the moment o
o his arrival until the time for US 20 sepa
II rate he was the life OF the camp the bes
. fisherman. the best hunter. the best cook
: the best racOnteur. and no one coul
build n FIRE such as he could build eXcep
5 the professional guides, yet no one envie
8 his prowess,- but were rather proud OF Il
e proud 10 be under his leadership II
J, looked as kingly in his outing clothes a
), he did IN his society regalia, and no bell
e ever received greater politeness OF NOR
e consideration at his hands than did N
r rough guides about the camp.
d They loved him, Ue loved him. every
Il body loved him With whom he came {
7 contact for he was all courtesy. all con