The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-01-16
Observation-Disclosures

..... AMposslple. me
possibilities haven't worked. MY
land! ! could write q book on the
decline and fall Of the petticoat. be.
ginning with the billowy white mus.
lin variety. and working up TO the
present slinky messaline affair. When
! think Of those dear days Of the
glorious-er-past, when the hired girl
used to complain and threaten to
leave because every woman In the
family had at least three rufned, en-.
broldery.founced white muslin petit.
coats on the line on Mondays"
The lines about T. "A. Bucks mouth
relaxed into a grim smile.
Remember that feature you got
them to run In the Sunday spherei
The one headed Are Skirts GROWING
Fuller, and Where?."
DO ] remember it," walled Emma
2Mcchesney. And can i ever forget
the money we put into that frinecd
model we called the Carmencita! We
made 1t up SO 1t could retail for a
dollar ninetyfye. and I could have
sworn that the women would main
each other to get to 1t. But It didn't
so. They won't even wear fringe
around their ankles
L. AS grim smile stretched into a
reminiscent grin. But nothing in our
whole hopeless campaign could touch
your Municipal Purity league agita.
ton for the abolition Of the form
hugsing skirt. You talked public NOR.
ais until you had A. comstock and
Lucy Page CASTOR looking like Part
sian apaches."
a little laugh rippled up to Emma
Mcchesney's lips only to die away to
q sigh. She shools her head in sorrow.
full remembrance.
Yes. But what good did It dor
The newspapers and magazines did
take 1t up, but what happened?9 Ths0
tressmakers and tatlors, who are
charging more than ever for theii
work, and putting in half as much ma.
tertal, got together and knocked nv
plans Into a cooked hat"
They were both laughing now, like
a couple Of children. "And, oh. say!.
gasped Emma, remember Moe Sc
iis OF the Fne-Form Skirt company,
trying to get the doctors to state that
hobble skirts were making women
kaoc1;kneed! Oh, mercy!.
But their laugh ended In a little.
rreful silence. It was no LAUGHING
matter, this situation.insT. a. Buck
shrugged his shoulders, and began 4
restless pacing up and down. "Yep,
There you are. Meanwhile.
Meanwhile, women areastill wear
Ing. EN- tight. and going petticoat
less"
Suddenly 7. A. stopped short In his
pacing and fastened his surprised and
Interested gaze on the SKIRT Of the
trim and correct little business frocb
that sat so well upon Emma Mcches
ney's pretty figure.
Why, look at that" he exclaimed.
and pointed with one eager finger.
Mercy" screamed Emma McChes.
ney. What Is It? Quick!y "a mouse?n-
T. A. Buck shook his head, impa.
hently. Mouse! Lord, no! Plaits!.
"Plaits!"
She looked down. bewildered.
Yes. In your skirt. Three plafts
at the front left, and three in the
back. That's new, isn't it? N outer
skirts are being made fuller, then ii
follows"
1t ought to follow" interrupted EN-.
ma McChesney. but 1t doesn't. Il.
Tags way behind. These p Is are
stitched down. See? T. Is the
hendishness OF It. And, the petticoat
underneath-if there is one-must be,
Just as smooth, and unwrinkled, and
scant as ever. Don't let 'em fool you
Buck spread his palms with a little
gesture Of utter fut9ity.
I'm through. Out with your
scheme. We're ready for. It. It's our
last card, whatever It. is"
There was visible on,Emma Mcches.
ney's face that little Tightening Of the
muscles. that narrowing OF the eyelids
which betokens intense earnestness.
Not now. Just because it's our
last card I want to be sure that I'm
playing 1t well. I'll be ready for you
tomorrow morning in my office. Come
prepared for the Jolt Of your young
life"
For the first time since the begin.
ming of the conversation a glow OF new
courage and hope lighted up y. A.
Bucks %goodlooktng features. His
tine eyes rested admirlngly upon EN-.
ma McChesney standing there by the
great show case. She seemed to "a.
date energy. alertness, confidence.
When you begin to talk like that
ne said, Il always feel as though L
could take hold in a way to make
thosey famous Jobs that Hercules
tackled look like little whites chores
after school,
.Ffne!" beamed, Emma McChesney.
Just store that up, win you? ! And,
don't let It filter out at your finger
tips when I begin to talk tomorrow.
The little scarlet leather clock on
Emma Mcchesney's desk pointed to
1929 a m. when there entered her
office an immaculately garbed, mirac.
ulously shaver ba,1ttt1, ~.,-