The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-01-07
Concerning Petticoats

Concerning pcttIcoats-or rather
tho lack OF thcm-faehIon magazines
have had much to say during the past
Two seasons. In recent publication
there Is q clever piece with tho usual
setting for q man and maid. It Is tho
Hamo old Song and dance of drive
in tho country and u runaway horse,
with tho man injured, but II Is just at
this point that the very original turn
is given TO tho plot. and ono closes
mo story with n laugh and n comfort
aDio feeling of having been pleased.
lhc man, 1t seems. Is In love with tho
Girl whom he is driving into into tho
country FOR the very purpose OF de-
caring his passion. and is mainly in
lofo with her for tho long elm lines
OF hcr body nnd the very fashionable
nGurc sho presents at all times. When
the obllginS horse has thrown the
the man out at just tho right rocky
turn in the road and banged him about
tho head sufficiently for IL to appear
dangerous. we find tho Jady Of long
lines wringing her hands in a hope
less Eort OF way. unable to get beyond
certain diameter and 1iindered in
every way by her French heels and
pretty clothes.
Just at tho psychological moment up
steps your old fashioned girl. who has
been picking blackbcrrIes in an ad-
JourninS Held, tears up her pctticoat
and helps the man homo. At the Last,
thc man turns with reproachful eyes
70 tho girl and says. "Oh, why couldn't
1t have been you that tore UP tho
pctticoat!' And the wall of the woman
is that she did not year my.
or course. there is tho point that
the girl in tho field picking black
berries would probably never hafe
been caught with such a garment as
pctticoat upon her person at any
thing Hike "a full drcse occasion; but
that is only hero aud there. and II is
IL charming story and very much to
tho point OF our pctticoatlcss age.
1t is IL funny fashion. but It is pretty.
too. and you look back on the days OF
rufflcs and rufflcs and tho continual
kick of tho woman who did tho wash
and shuddcr with just the same happy
hearts that our mothers had concern
ing tho hoop skirts OF tho generation
just past. and. Heaven knows, there
never were moro atrocious styles than
tho hoop skirt and other points OF
fashion that Graccd a day earlier than
our own. We arc very promo TO sigh
for good old days, and Rachel weeping
ing for her children Is scarcely to be
counted with the numbers OF women
VINO ScoTn inc fashions ann mourn the
passing of the pctticoat until it's re-
turn, when they will doubtless con-
tinuc the wall. but on different lines.
And. indeed. II Ia much the best plan
to lag The dear ruf,les away in laren-
der, because they are surely coming
back again In that pleasant time
known as some day.
Just now the turkey trot" and
grizzly bear" have sent the Boston
and tho double reverse to tho wall. and
long. slim girls rccline on chairs that
once held plu!npcr beauties. Ths day
OF tho Grccian brow has passed. and
the hair IS pulled down loved over
ons's eyes with hay. sleepy look.
stolen from our sisters East OF Sucz."
and wide cXpansc OF hair In most
senses OF tho word is decidedly passc.
We arc but simple people. with SIM
ple taStes so VIC are recorded. and
there Is even 4 changing note of fash
Ion in barrels. and certainly !n furni-
turc. II is no more the fashion to
have big rufTled chairs just now than
Il Is to have pctticoats OF the same d.
-ncnslon. and who would dump their
coal !n anything but straight UP and
down barrel? Follow my leader is a
don't do just exactly llko the person
leading the parade; and what lady,
passing fair. wants pctticoat, no
matter how lacy tho rnfica. II the
great brain OF the Paris leader has
sent out the decree for a petticoatless
season or two? BRENT WITT.