Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1916-02-15
BABBLINGS FROM
THE BABBLER
CHICAGO. Feb. Sth. Ia16.

What JOY we raised the curtains
three days ago to find that Jack
Frost had decorated the grand facade,
opposite, with touches of silver, while
the portals stood forth in statlier
form, showing dark and strong behind
bridal veil of glistening white, those
artistic touches of nature that fill US
with wonder and delight,
What a blessing that we can, with
glance, make it our own, remember
ing it with gratitude, for everything
of beauty is beacon-guide to truth,
no matter how unreal and fieeting in
itself.
Shall you be surprised that it re-
minded me OF Wausau? Not Wausau
with its stately buildings, shoveled
walks, telephone service and autos,
but that Wausau which accepted
winters reign as absolute and five
feet of snow as legitimate belonging
to winterdom.
1t reminded me of the long, narrow
steps leading to Corey'S hall, which
served as school room, where one
tried to study, but looked out of the
windows, against which the desk
leaned, until her head ached from the
glare of the snow. Do you remember
the square opposite? That was glor-
ious, for nice, modest little girls
could roll in its deep snow unobserved,
which they did till, in turning a
somersault, one Il wont tell who) was
nearly smoJhered as she stuck in the
snow and like manikin, frantically
waved hands and feet for help; but
none came, for observers thought it
an especially devised stunt; with
tremendous lunge she finally EXTERN
mated herself and came up rosy,
though frightened, to tell her COM
panions the terrors Of the situation.
Perhaps she has often remem bered
that enforced effort, when ''snowed
UNDER" for life is made up for useful
activity and effort, what if in spite of
us effort ''doth often gang aglee."
Chicago snow and frost only stay
long enough to get good men up
10 a. a., rain began to fall and con-
tinued for three days and women
hauled out scrap bags to spend long
day of down-pour, deyising something
artistic out of forgotten glories. The
merchant does not mind, for he
knows that with yard of lace she
will need many of his staple articles,
or that her economies send others to
copy the creation of her brain, and
dressmakers cannot give individuality
to each person she serves; so think
for yourselves ladies. Make thing
fashionable as Magda affirmed, "be-
cause you need it," taking care that
it is suitable, and that your choice
has been artistic.
A bit of lace in scrap bag re-
minded me of WauSau again. One of
its ladies was in Chicago, her travel
ing gown was fresh and must do SER
vice for an unexpected reception.
Could she borrow a fold of lace?
Could she A moment later her
plain hat was transformed by a magic
touch of fairies ever with us, viz:
"taste," observation" decision"
daring" content" and this dainty,
well-groomed woman went forth to
conquer criticism. There was no
question mark to rob her of grace and
self-praise, but a charming individu-
ality beyond mere beauty. OF what
use? Her influence is felt in many
Wausau homes, where young matron
has not acquired the confidence of
right choosing for table and house
decorations and she never makes a
mistake.
Examine her scrap bayou will
find something to suggest a spring or
summer gown, whether the year has
been kind or not.
Many women are miserable because
they have not the right thing to
wear. What foolish slaves we some
times become as the result of years of
wrong thinking. If we have it not,
nor the time, let a thought of our
fellow beings across the sea teach us
that we can wear sack cloth with