The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-20

set-fitting is my speciality. It is A pro- fession nowadays In fact. I know more about 1t than MT. Pinchot does about for estry, or Mrs. Belmont about the shirt waist strike, and I tell you that the mo- ment you walked up to the counter took q cursory glance of your figure, and saw that you were too short -wasted, and that is why I brought this style of corset to show you"
 looked as mad as a March hare, and then glaring at the saleswoman, said T am like the critic said about the Mummy and the Running Bird several years ago. when MT. John Drew played ! that very delightful comedy After the whole affair was over and the husband | found out that his wife hadn't put her l foot through the seventh commandment | he was perfectly satisfied, and so was she, and as they were the ones most interested 1 1t looked like the audience ought to be | satisfied, too. So if I am satisfied with my figure, which am, why, don't see why l you or anyone else shouldn't be-
 
 point to avoid the brewing storm, only to hear my friend continue: And s12 to make my waist two inches i longer! Six dollars an inch--never! I'm not that foolish yet whiler' You wear your corsets entirely too | tight which makes you look stuffed" said the saleswoman.
 "Why, I can turn around in them," she | said indignantly, which is a scientific fact known to every woman upon the face of l the earth that every other female declares the same thing, and that she can easily turn around in hers-even when she Is | panting for breath, and red as turkey l gobber in the face from tight lacing. | "The new corsets look like shield and buckler,'' I interpolated at this psycho- 1 logical moment. Beginning at the chin l and ending near the toes, they are some 1 thing fearfully and wonderfully made; but l once encased, the form presents smooth l and modish appearance, to which any l gown would cling with enthusiasm" l .I believe I'll try on some." said my l friend, changing her mind, and accord l fngly was laced up III ouS oi 'ho a".oee and most imposing varieties.
 Isn't 1t lovely?' she said. as she sur- veyed her form in the mirror. the folds of !. her long, clinging gown making her yunoesque form look quite superb in its l new environment.
 "see if you can breathe" l suggested, as she stood before the cheval glass;
 Once she tried and she couldn't
 Twice-but in vain!
 Thrioe-and I thought to my soul she
 would die of heart failure or apopiexy
 as she made the effort.
 "I cannot-there's no use trying" she gasped. '.But it does look. well, doesn't ft?"
 'Dandy,o said, and felt so sorry for her ITO avoirdupois squeezed up and fold
 ed over and packed down like Sara
 toga trunk filled to the brim, when one is starting off for a summer trip.
 "In that case I'll do without breath
 ing" she said. and put on her wraps and
 off we started.
 "Dr. Savanarola. or whatever his name may be-" said I, may think that tubercu-
 loss may result from tight corsets, but
 in my opinion, with the new styles, many cubits long, by many cubits wide. stiffened
 with whalebone and lined with buckram
 a more speedy death will ensue. wliich
 suppose is all right. however. just so one
 looks well when that important hour ar l rives."