Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1910-07-01

flowing togae hid al. such, H. well H. their
manly proportions. The plug hat and
shining beavers If those honorable gen
tlemcn were conspicuous for their alb
Sence, and most OF them wore tufts OF
shaggy hair, supplemented by an ample
hersuitical appcndage, which society men
in our day have pretty generally discard
ed. Patent leather shoes and Oxford ties
were not in vogue at that time, but those
/ honorable scions OF shadowy dynasty
sported sandals of exquisite, firmly shaped
attached to their pedal extremities by sill
yer thongs and golden buckles. Being
thus arrayed in ornamental forgery, their
advent into social gathering caused
ripples of admiration in feminine ranks
of their own devotion, and emotions OF
an envious disposition in others. And
human nature, like the laws of Medes
and Persians, changeth not.
The Roman gentlemen were quite bib
ulous and glustenous. They crowded
around the festal board and enjoyed a
riotous flow of soul, with no appetite for
feast of reason. Doubtless many Of
them were kind to their wives, but most
of them kept the ladies at home, spin
ming flax and giving orders to the cook.
And now leaving these specimens OF
that honorable and ancient society, | will
approach a more facinating and yet a
more tantalizing part of my duty.
feel shiver of trepidation creeping
over me; for although l am an admirer
of the ladies, / could never familiarize
myself with the winks and mods OF their
peculiar Masonry. l always mummeled
the Shiboleth of Society, and blundered
in the vestibule of speech and attitude.
Yet | am bold to say that the matrons
and maidens of those early days were up
to date in feminine ways, even tho they
had no Eve to lead them. Tradition, sup
plemented by few hints from history
assure us that they were charming, as al
our girls are. They rejoiced in bounti'
full supply of that natural ornamentationi
which scripture endorses as the "Glory
of Woman" and there is no insinuatior
that rats ever hid in its volumnious folds
or that Chanticleer ever perched upon the
top thereof. They were shining examples
and opponents OF the savage love OF paints
powder, pearls and perfume, just as ladies
always were, are now and ever will be
and that instinct clings to them like the
scent of roses around broken vase.
Mothers educated their sons for W.
and all athletics, not neglecting to instil
love for the pomp and pride incidenta
to the accident of birth. These youth
were doubtless very attentive to the girls
escorting them to and from balls ant
: parties, and making good use of sucl
8 times to utter words that burned ant
thoughts that breathed.
Girls were taught the useful art of spin
ming yarns of silk and flax, and during
recess these girls spun many yarns o
: doubtful veracity. They could also weav
beautiful fabrics for personal ornamen
and all the while weave dreams OF socia
conquest. The gossips of that day, bot
male and female, hearkened to rumor
D and promoted scandal, by telling secret
$ which they kept on the wing. They wer
e fond of music, these gentle ladies were
they played skillfully on the harp, es
e pecially on the "Harp of Thousan
# Strings" They were fond of shows an
e theatres, wept at the execution of Grin
I inals and clapped their pearly hands
n the arena where man and beast fougf
u for life.
e Still with all their faults, men then, .
d now, loved them. Men then as now coul
IT not manage their domestic affairs witho'
II heir help and all of us can join the poe
. when he says:
"Ohi Woman, in hour Of ease,
l. Tickle, coy and hard to please;
IS But when anguish wrings the brow,
;r' Numbering angel, thOu.''