New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-08-14

f0f our blooming American vornanfood
smoke. there are many who would cnal-
lenge the statement as untrue and many
others. notably husbands who would re-
gard their wives with sudden dull
suspicion. Is she one Of themo
But whether the percentage is five or
fifty is not going 10 be divUlged just yet,
and for a very good reason-no one knows.
Woman has been variousiy defined. The
dictionary cautiously says Of her: An
adult female OF the human race" No one
can deny if. 4 we'll known modern writer
boldly defines her as "A sphinx without
q secret" No doubt every man has
pet definition of his own. Women. how
ever. never define themselves. and this is
significant
II YOU want 10 ind out whether she
smokes or not YOU can ask her. But what
good does that do votl? You would have
20 be her shadow to know the answer
The woman wige have a theory all to
themselves that woman IS secretly indie
pendent OF any temporary or local moral
code. even though she is outwa-dly the
codes strictest aaherert That is why she
smokes II she wants 70 and saws nothing.
Be that as II may the way to discover
how widespread the custom is among
women in this city, is TO be one or those
across whose wandering path straw signals
blow. Toba cconists are not among these
st-a1s as a rIlG. because the public dis
sur7roves Of seeing women in cigar stores
Hence tbev are not seen there. The pus'
lie always gets its way, even II al the
cost of iun,IIIlers bic consciences. For, Of
course the women get their supplies IN
other WAYS The amiable man VINO does
not advertise his prejudices and who
decent see why woman should not
smoke bless her heart IS ne one
across whose path the signals oechoil: ne
IS the one deputed 10 buy the weekly
hox of a hundred so that the cigar store
man does not know for whose use he IS
selling lis pernicious stock.
~ -rdo1ll,teti!y'- said a leading Brcs dvaY
tobacconist TO e Tribune man lev days
ago smoking is a widely spreading hant
among women In the trade we have no
ray Of telling how widespread Il Is De
cause women DO not buy their own sup
lies For instance. we 90 not want women
customers III this establishment with
zilrug Of Indignation at the mere Thought
u L. But hundreds Of men buy large
Quantities of our stock for their women
friends"
As matter Of fac. the whole subject
g -cIN lfl-.EleTlC[Es EDf li4c6c 10 ~ a
>ford Of ways that are dark and tricks
that arc rain' the pursuit Of the woman
who smokes viii provide hunt fun or
romance and surprise-D-hen she does *,
now she does IL ane who she is.
The puzzle Of where she does IL SLOWLY
reveals itself IN one aspect to the one who
has the entree 10 the women's makeup
aon,s in any Of tl1e expensive restaurants
New York Ladies pzrIors' they are
sbelled and are lined with mirrors, be
~sre which the busy rabbits foot is in
3tIgtrioaxip piled Here women cigarettes
ere dispensed and the soft-carpeted floors
are sometimes dotted with dainty. gold
1fuped zturnrE --Sturnps." however IS far
100 mighty q word 70 apply TO the relic
OF thing which is hardly larger than q
dgte Dit before II Is lighted The tiny
huff Of smoke which II affords Is Derfumed,
and is merely designed 10 warm the lips
e,fter coming in from the cool night air
These cigarettes. together with the ante
F,Tsndial cocktail and the picture on the
rsll in the lobby Of the bare nvrnph living
among req draperies. are all rather appe-
,izers md n4ood producers for the kpeciai
feast than Indications Of the regular
rfts CT the fsatte-S.